Tech nonsense...

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:30:05 GMT

I just thought that I'd post this here so that if anyone on my friends list is having this problem, or on my friend's friends list is having this problem, they can get some free tech support help :)

There is a family of viruses/spyware out now that are causing the majority of problems in people's computers. They fly in under the radar of most antivirus software because of the way they come in. They range in names from Antivirus2009 or 08 , VISTAntivirus2009, XPAntivirus2009. These "Programs" are all spyware. Do not give them your credit card information, try to not even click them. Do not use infected computer to make online purchases until after you are sure that the computer is clean. The virus actually starts out as spyware, that is let in through infected websites that use active x controllers. There are a LOT of sites that have infections because of this issue with active x, so be careful of where you surf when it has active x, if at all possible avoid sites that use active x.

If you catch the infection early enough, you can use a trio of programs one at a time in order and get the infection out. I recommend that you back up important data and pictures before you run any of this, that way if there ends up being a problem with the OS after removing the virus, you won't have lost all your data... All of the programs that I use can be downloaded free from the internet. Start off with COMBO FIX. Let that run and get rid of stuff... you may have to run it in safe mode if the pc is giving you fits. Then run MALWAREBYTES. It should get the majority of what's left out. I always run an up to date Antivirus software, such as AVG 8 after running that. WARNING, these programs can remove vital parts of your operating system if the infection has gotten into them. So always back up your data.

From my experience with it, the best and most efficient way of getting rid of problem once it starts to be noticeable is backing up data, low level formatting drive, and reinstalling the operating system, drivers, updates and programs... sounds like a lot of work, but it is the most efficient. By low level formatting the drive, you reset all the 1's in the programing to 0's. It is also recommended to low level format a hard drive if you are giving away the computer, or have had it for a while. Low Leveling the drive also ensures that there are no trace elements of the virus left on the drive.

I have to low level my hard drive tonight at home ugh.

I hope that this helps you, and answers your questions. I know that I wrote a book, but we get a lot of computers in with this problem, and its one of those things that I have to fix all of the time. ugh. But anywho... good luck, if you end up needing help or have more questions, comment with them, and I'll do my best to answer them or point you in the right direction.

Another good tool : CCLEANER it is something that you should run once a month, so that all those stupid cookies and registry errors that clog up your processing power are kicked out.

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:55:45 GMT

RIP Gary Gygax

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:01:05 GMT

Not currently accepting new friends, unless you've got multiple interests in common with me, and you don't spam my friends page with memes and just random "Junk" posts.

~*~

Tech nonsense...