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Deleting viruses

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It's Snake Pliskin

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If one suspects a virus infection has occured, will simply unplugging the computer delete it if it hasn't been saved previously?
 
No, if you have a virus, it will stay on your computer until you delete it using a virus protection program or manually yourself. If you know the name of the virus, you can type it into google and get removal instructions.
 
It's Snake Pliskin said:
If one suspects a virus infection has occured, will simply unplugging the computer delete it if it hasn't been saved previously?
Click to expand...

No that will not delete the virus! It could of also infected multiple applications and files, you would need a program to remove them.
 
You should have antivirus software installed to avoid getting it in the first place, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Might reduce your chances of getting one from, say, 50% to 10%. I use AVG free, it automatically updates every day, and automatically scans at 8AM or whenever the computer is next turned on after this.


To stop getting viruses..

(I am not making any assumptions here about you, it's just how viruses get to computers)


Don't look at dodgy pr0n sites, as they have plenty of things that say 'just install our free toolbar to view members area'..you'd probably find your credit card billed for large sums in foreign countries not long afterwards because a keylogger will be at work catching every key you type, so if you use your credit card for online puchases..

Try to avoid dodgy pirated software sites too, as many of the software comes 'bundled' with other surprises.

Basically don't click 'ok' to any dialog boxes which want to do a 'free spyware scan' or 'check for errors' or install anything where you didn't expect to be installing anything.


If in doubt ask on a computer forum.
 
Always a good idea to start your computer in safe mode and run the antivirus software from there (if it allows you to do this). This way, only the critical drivers for Windows are loaded, and if a virus has infected several files, there is a greater chance that the files will not have been executed and you can get a "cleaner" antivirus scan.
 
bigt

Could you explain what starting the computer in safe mode is, please.
I have Norton Internet Security with auto updates, and run both Spybot and Adaware about once a week.

Thank you.

Julia
 
Totally agree with Silence, but not with bigt totally. I know this aint a computer forum so as Silence says go to a computer forum. This is just my opinion but I dont know anyone who boots in safe mode and does a virus scan unless the computer is infected really bad, in which case you would probually have to format the whole system (Im a computer systems/software engin.) Not much diff if you got a good program. Its mainly used for system repairs etc. What you said is true but the part I didn't agree with is "ALWAYS", ???????, I have mine run the scan at 5am when im asleep and have it auto update once every 2 days at 3pm when Im at work.

You cab also have firewire programs installed to help block out the popup's and other un-wanted programs (adds to click on as Silence mentioned) - try Nvidia its okay and its free, also might be one on the router if you have one but be careful how you set that one. As the windows onboard firewall IMO, I dont know why they call it a firewall.

bigt - Im not starting a fight if you think Iam, as it is true just dont agree with it , just my opinion.

Peace out!!!
 
Hi Julia - when the computer is booting up (from a cold start), you hit F8 (keep pressing until something happens..there's only a short time period when this is available).

The PC then starts in safe mode...only installs basic drivers. It's good for troubleshooting problems in device drivers / windows configuration etc.

Also good to run antivirus programs, as not all files that are normally executed on a normal startup are run, and these can potentially be infected. Its a lot easier to remove a virus / worm from a file that has not been executed (i.e the virus has not been "Activated")..though this is only for certain types of viruses / worms.

Hope that helps.
 
Noskcid..not a problem fella! My suggestion is not the total solution, just a helpful part of the bigger picture.
 
Julia said:
bigt

Could you explain what starting the computer in safe mode is, please.
I have Norton Internet Security with auto updates, and run both Spybot and Adaware about once a week.

Thank you.

Julia
Click to expand...

Basically its running the computer without booting up all the files and programs you would usually have, i.e. MSN, and some other autoload programs, also some programs cannot be booted and dont work in safe mode. It would also not be in 32mb color, but 16 or 256 depending on the OS (operating systems - windows/mac etc.)

If you have NIS it should be fine as long as its up to date, and running spybot and adware once a week is fine (I run mine twice a week).

Basically safemode is for use when you comp doesn't boot properly or just fixing it. I use it once in a blue moon, most problems can be fixed in normal mode.

Another reason I wouldn't scan in safe mode is what if the infected file isn't a boot reg file but its infected a game/jpeg or something, then theres no point.
 
bigt's explanation is on more plane english, LOL I cant do that, but I tried not using terms.
 

Windows firewall is perfectly fine. It's ALL I run. AVG AV is also fine, it's ALL that I run.

As for pop-ups...by "firewire" I presume you mean firewall. Use your browers pop-up blocker...I don't see how a "firewire" adds value here.

If you want to really get funky and prevent yourself from getting a lot of viruses and enjoy an POP UP and BANNER AD FREE browsing experience, replace your "hosts" file the latest MVPS. This is not for beginners, but I guarentee that other than keeping your system patched (windows updated) and running a firewall and NAT on your Internet router it is the single best thing you can do to prevent spyware/viruses reaching your computer.

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

The ASX Gorilla.
 
A full scan would pick up any infected games/jpgs etc...all files on the pc.

It harps back to the days when you could boot into a DOS prompt on a windows pc (a proper command line, unlike the current capability)..most antivirus vendors actually suggested you create a boot disk with a dos based copy of their antivirus program on it, and run it from there, so no operating system files are executed at all, this would then be the cleanest possible scan.

Just google "safe mode anti virus"..there are plenty of entries there on this topic (btw, I work in IT security).
 

The concept of what you describe is 100% accurate. It is also how we circumvented "boot sector" viruses back in the old days, which had planted themselves in the boot sector of the hard drive.

If you can imagine, the problem with any virus is that once it has been executed and is running, you can't trust any other software that runs on that system at the same privelage level. That includes AV software. Running the AV from SAFE mode addresses this somewhat, but it's effectiveness depends on how deeply the virus has hooked into the system.

Therefore, to be totally sure, you must boot and clean from a place other than the infected PC's hard drive. This can include a recovery floppy or CD. The undisputable fact however, is that once a system is infected, the only way to be sure it is clean is to re-image it.
 
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