Stupid Viruses on Windows XP
 

Damnit this getting anoying! I just installed win xp and 2 of my computers about 2 weeks ago. Now they are now totally screwed up and infected with viruses.. This "Gaobot" virus is all over the place.. Anyone else seen this in XP? My computers are crashing constantly and CPU usage is at a constant 100% without dropping! It may be time for me to buy some legit virusscan software..



-Adam

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

This is pretty much all I use besides Ad-aware for spyware crap.

Also make sure you do the "Windows Update" which patches up alot of holes in XP. I try to hit the Windows Update regularly.

well just to be the annoying guy, I have been a Mac guy for a long time and have NEVER had a virus!

Trevor, I am going Mac on the next system I get.. Untill then I need to put up with this PC BS..

Housecall has found 13 viruses.. none of which are fixable!

Basically, I think all the idle cpu space is being consumed by the viruses.. hence the constant 100% cpu usage. Wish I knew how to get rid of them..

try running linux. the new desktop setups are as easy to use as windows :)

but no viruses either ;)

and then you can be a cool ubergeek!

Use a anti virus program. Seriously. No ones writes virus programs for mac :lol: , mainly because they don't have as much of the market. Why make a virus for a minimal market? I've used norton anti virus and it has always found virus before they even do a thing. totally worth the 70 bucks

Adam, there are two of thoes viris that came out two days ago.. they are both delivered through e-mail so when you get the computer clean update virius software befor you do any e-mail. nortons laitest def set has the code for them.

Steve

Well it found 22 viruses in the end and I was able to delete all but 4... The 4 are running processes and when I try to close them, they re-open so I can't delete them.. Got any ideas?

The system that is infected is for work only and I barely go on the net with it at all other then to get drivers and updates.. I never check email on it..

Changing the OS is not an option as I have thousands of hours of clients work on here which will be non compatable otherwise..

Adam, I've never got a virus on my XP. Use a virus scanner, it's mandatory. I can come by and fix yours tonight if you want.

Most newer viruses are pretty smart and can circumvent AV software. You may need to manually remove them. Norton and the other big AV software creators have detailed instructions on their websites that generally work well. It's very important to ensure you follow the instructions to the letter. Advanced viruses are written in a way that allows them to continue to function or even repair themselves if they are only partially removed.

It also makes good sense to ensure you have the latest XP updates, and avoid installing cheap freeware such as Kazaa, which is riddled with spyware (which are essentially marketing viruses). Even AdAware and similar software cannot remove all the spyware, and like malicious viruses, you may need to remove them manually.

Jesse is right, no one makes viruses for Mac. I think this is mostly because the platform is proprietary and there are less companies developing languages for use on Mac. Viruses for Windows can be written in a whole host of languages. I am not a big fan of Mac. They are overly expensive and the available range of software (particularly shareware utilities, which I use often) is small.

Thanks Teevee, I was starting to figure as much about these viruses.. They are smart. I try to delete them manually after clsoing them in the task manager, but they restart right away..

All I should need to do now is find a way to delete them...


Brad I think I might take you up on that offer!

I rebooted in safe mode and the processes or not running.. hope this works..

Adam, go to www.symantec.com and they'll have instructions on removing the virii. Generally safe mode is required as is editting the registry to remove some entries.

I did manage to delete them in safe mode.. System is running normal again although it is spiking at 100% every once in a while..

you'll still need to clean up stray files and reg entries. Go get the removal instructions!!

try what Mason suggested, I've used Trend, it's free and it works... TWO of my favorite things.

Doug

If this is a home machine, back up your data and just reformat. It'll take you a lot less time. However, this time around, please do the following:

-do all the windows critical updates for security
-download Ad Aware to take out all the future spyware programs
-don't open mysterious E-mail attachments, or if possible, none at all unless it's been scanned or you know for sure it's clean

And of course, download the latest drivers from the product manufacturers for your hardware (ie ATI, Nvidia, Intel). Please avoid using the cds that come with your hardware, they tend to be old drivers and come with a lot of unnecessary software.

If you're still using an old operating system like win95 or win98, PM me. I don't mind sending you a copy of XP as long as you don't mind using it or have a machine that can keep up with it (ie. at least a P3).

To be honest, I've built machines for quite a few ppl, and most of their problems are self caused. Another thing, virus scans aren't bullet proof, the best way to avoid viruses is to be careful of what you download into the computer the first place.

Please don't arrange illegal transfers of software via this board.

Adam is running XP and we have resolved this issue. Thanks.

Did you tie him up? :eek: :mrgreen:

Steve

No, I stole his keyboard :razz: Adam actually fixed most of it himself. He did good!

Yep, I was having some troubles too until I got all the critical updates straight. I still think that Trend Micro was a great recommendation, who ever told me about it saved me alot of trouble.
Glad you got your computer working Adam, a frag for each helpful comment would be appreciated... :razz: