I have Malware - recommendations?

[VirtualLarry]

If you want a tool to manually clean, try out Freefixer?

 

[Ketchup]

Some general good ideas can be found here:
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2408108

Here is a list I posted if you haven't looked yet:

If spyware/hijackers are obvious, turn off system restore.
Go to programs and features and remove toolboars and questionable programs.
Open up msconfig and deal with programs are allowing the intrusion through.
Clean out user temp folders.
Clear browser history and any add-related toolbars still installed.
After that, Superantispyware and Malwarebytes for anything else.

 

[cubby1223]

I have used VLC for years and never seen a pop up like that.

New malware is using popups trying to "inform" you to update software on your computer, only to provide you a download not of the updated software but some other malicious software to execute.

 

[futurefields]

i tried running malwarebytes in safe mode, it finds nothing but im still getting the popups

i think im going to reformat, i want to upgrade my hd anyways and ill need to reinstall windows + a few games

 

[John Connor]

I know. I almost felll for it, but I was blocking scripts and knew that pop up for flash couldn't have been generated.

The OP more than likely has a PUP/adware and I bet ADwcleaner gets rid of it.

New malware is using popups trying to "inform" you to update software on your computer, only to provide you a download not of the updated software but some other malicious software to execute.

 

[MongGrel]

I switched to Potplayer from VLC years ago, so no idea on that one.

I guess you all ready did Malwarebytes.

I know. I almost felll for it, but I was blocking scripts and knew that pop up for flash couldn't have been generated.

The OP more than likely has a PUP/adware and I bet ADwcleaner gets rid of it.

More than likely.

 

[cubby1223]

i tried running malwarebytes in safe mode, it finds nothing but im still getting the popups

i think im going to reformat, i want to upgrade my hd anyways and ill need to reinstall windows + a few games

Go into Chrome's settings and remove any extensions you do not recognize.

And sometimes you just have to connect the hard drive to another computer and run a scan from there.

 

[futurefields]

Its still there guys, after running Malwarebytes in Safe Mode and ADWCleaner, which said it found 34 things, but then today the pop ups are back.

 

[Matt1970]

Its still there guys, after running Malwarebytes in Safe Mode and ADWCleaner, which said it found 34 things, but then today the pop ups are back.

Try this.

Open Internet Explorer. On the Tools menu click Internet options, click the Advanced tab and then reset.

I typically run Malwarebytes, Combofix, Spybot, and then Super Anti-Spyware on infected customer machines.

 

[John Connor]

Its still there guys, after running Malwarebytes in Safe Mode and ADWCleaner, which said it found 34 things, but then today the pop ups are back.

Okay, run Hijackthis and chose to save log file. Upload the log here please.

And I would use Autoruns and save the .ARN file. Use a file host like Dropbox and post the link here. We can't help if you don't take the advice. I've cleaned a lot of crap off computers before.

Like others are saying look for rouge plugins and/or addons in your browser. There may be a script that is running on your computer. It might take safemode to remove it. Or the use of unlocker for the file.

 

[futurefields]

im just going to reformat, i bought a new hard drive, i am going to use the 500gb for OS and 3tb for games

evenetually the 500gb will be swapped out for an ssd as well

 

[compcons]

Did I miss the part when the OP actually went and checked for bs programs and uninstalled junk? Did I also miss the part where the OP killed bs extensions for web browsers?

Seems like some basic stuff before formatting.

 

[futurefields]

It is basic stuff, that's why I did all that. The only extension i had was adblockplus.

 

[inachu]

Woah! all these posts in this thread to clean up to spend many hours to fix your pc up.

It boils down to this. TIME VS MONEY. Do you truly want to invest lots of time to clean the pc spending money on anti virus/malware programs Versus just formatting the hard drive and starting from scratch?

Many times a infected pc that was cleaned up will be a lot slower than a pc that was newly reimaged "AS NEW"

So yeah if you do not care about time and money invested then yes go and use the all the paid and shareware and freebies to clean your system but just backing up and reinstalling windows would be a lot better in the long run.

 

[inachu]

im just going to reformat, i bought a new hard drive, i am going to use the 500gb for OS and 3tb for games

evenetually the 500gb will be swapped out for an ssd as well

I skipped the above post and did not see it at first!


GOOD JOB!

 

[futurefields]

Reformatted, reinstalled Windows, but something is very wrong with my PC now. Windows Update is not working -

Will start a new thread since this is a new problem.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Is it possible that you have ROUTER malware? If your router was set to a default password and IP address, then this is possible. Something might have changed your DNS settings in your router, such that your web accesses for things are being re-directed through a proxy site, that is injecting those ads into your HTTP stream, and interfering with Windows Update.

Just a theory, at least. Worth checking out.

Edit: That would explain why Malwarebytes didn't find anything on your machine.

 

[Burpo]

Windows 7: Warning - KB3004394 corrupts system files..

http://borncity.com/win/2014/12/10/...tificate-in-windows-7-windows-server-2008-r2/

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...-warning-kb3004394-corrupts-system-files.html

Problems with update KB3004394.. Google it..

Microsoft screwed the pooch..

 

[Ketchup]

Windows 7: Warning - KB3004394 corrupts system files..

http://borncity.com/win/2014/12/10/...tificate-in-windows-7-windows-server-2008-r2/

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...-warning-kb3004394-corrupts-system-files.html

Problems with update KB3004394.. Google it..

Microsoft screwed the pooch..

Installed it today on two Win7 machines with no issue (and magnifier still works).

I would recommend you go to his new thread with this though.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2412246&highlight=

 

[futurefields]

Is it possible that you have ROUTER malware? If your router was set to a default password and IP address, then this is possible. Something might have changed your DNS settings in your router, such that your web accesses for things are being re-directed through a proxy site, that is injecting those ads into your HTTP stream, and interfering with Windows Update.

Just a theory, at least. Worth checking out.

Edit: That would explain why Malwarebytes didn't find anything on your machine.

my router was secured with a private password. how common is router malware?

 

[Ketchup]

my router was secured with a private password. how common is router malware?

Quite rare. One test would be other computers on your network. If there are other computers on your network getting updates w/o issue, I think it is safe to assume your router is fine.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

My windows updates have been broken for the past 6-9 months. There are manual installs somewhere if you don't feel like reinstalling.

 

[Paul Williams]

Uninstall VLC then install AVG antivirus, run a full system scan and then try installing VLC..