Clean
XP AntiVirus 2010* - Or Whatever Ails You - Off Your PC!
(Also known as Vista AntiVirus
2010, XP AntiSpyware 2010, Security Tool, Personal AV and a Dozen Other Names!)
WARNING!
ProTech Computers does not warrant that the use of these two utilities will fix your problem! While we have had great success using them on systems infected for only a day or two - they may not work for you.
USE THEM AT YOUR OWN RISK! BACK UP YOUR DATA FIRST!
Download the installers for Combofix and MBAM - two awesome clean-up utilities - to your computer (see download links below). You can put MBAM on your desktop, but Combofix should not be run from the desktop. It really needs to go into the C drive root directory to run correctly. Once done downloading, run them. For best results - and to avoid hassles from the rogue programs - do this in SAFE MODE with Networking (See below if not familiar with safe mode). Run Combofix first, then install and run MBAM. COMBOFIX will just run right from the installer. It may want to update itself - let it. While running COMBOFIX don't do anything else. For MBAM, no immediate need to update - run a full scan and let it remove anything it finds. Watch closely what these programs tell you they found. Things like Rootkits, Trojans, Worms and "Rogue" Programs are serious, while things like cookies and adware are not as damaging, but still should be removed.
You may have to run them more than once and should definitely update them and run them once more for good measure! Please note that some versions of AVG 8.5 will mis-identify the MBAM installer as a Trojan - this is a "false positive" that has been corrected in AVG 9.0. Also, some versions of McAfee will ID the Combofix as a Trojan. This is also a false positive and can be fixed by telling McAfee the program is ok or turning off McAfee. For instructions on "turning off McAfee" (not as easy as it SHOULD be!) - see below.
Good Luck! If these don't help you we'll clean up your computer for $65-$95 depending on the severity of your infection(s). Standard clean-up turn-around time is 2-3 business days.
NOTE: Combofix will not run on a 64-Bit OS. If you have a 64-Bit OS skip it and just run MBAM.
The Combofix you're downloading here is coming direct from the author's website (bleepingcomputer.com).
We
also recommend the use of AVG Free AntiVirus and AntiSpyware to
keep your computer clean. New AVG Free 9.0 is one of the best
free AntiVirus programs available today! It is free for personal
use only. Businesses should go to www.grisoft.com to purchase the
full version - about $34.95. We believe that AVG Free 9.0 is just
as effective as the latest versions of Norton and McAfee when
kept up-to-date. This installer is fairly large (60+ MB) and
recommended for download on broadband connections only. To
download the AVG Free 9.0 installer now, CLICK
HERE.
(About
8 min DSL, 3 min Cable)
Once you download it, run the installation and update it completely. You only need it to scan your computer once in a while - we don't recommend the scan every day option unless you have a public or large-group shared computer. For any support with AVG, visit the Grisoft website at www.grisoft.com. For dial-up customers, we sell a disk compilation of AVG 9.0 AntiVirus, SpyBot S&D, MBAM and other great clean-up and productivity tools for just $4.72! ($5 w/tax) Stop by and pick one up today!
* * * * *
What is SAFE MODE? (And Safe Mode with Networking)
"Safe Mode" is a special mode that you can run Windows in. When you boot up to Safe Mode very few - if any - third party programs or device drivers are loaded. In "Safe Mode with Networking" hardwire LAN internet connections are active (and some WiFi - but not in most cases) giving you access to the Internet and update services for your clean-up programs. To boot up into Safe Mode just start toggling the F8 key right after turning your computer on (about every second or so) and a menu will pop up (the "Advanced Boot Menu") that will let you choose how you want Windows to boot up. Cursor up and select Safe Mode with Networking and press ENTER. After much text and waiting you will get the LOG-IN screen. Select your user and you will come to your desktop in a simpler format - able to run most programs - including Combofix and the MBAM installer and clean-up program. The clean-up utilities will have a better chance of defeating the infection because in safe mode the infection program (usually) isn't running and can't block your actions or crash your computer - or has reduced capability to interfere.
NOTE: Some infections will cause your computer to crash or reboot if you try to go into safe mode. In that case try to run the utilities from regular mode. If this fails you will have to bring your computer in for clean-up or consider using your system recovery options to reload your computer back to original factory settings - thus wiping out all infections. (be careful, this also wipes out all your personally-installed programs, customizations and data!!)
* * * * *
TURNING OFF MCAFEE
Recent versions of McAfee do not lend themselves to being 'turned off' or 'shut down' like they used to. One way to quickly "Turn off McAfee" enough to allow Combofix to be downloaded and run is to turn off all the McAfee program modules in the STARTUP and SERVICES tabs of the MSCONFIG utility. To lauch the MSCONFIG utility, simply click on START, then RUN. In the text field, type in MSCONFIG and click on OK. This launches the System Configuration Utility which allows you to control many facets of what loads and what doesn't when Windows boots up.
Click on the STARTUP tab and open up (widen) the "command" column to better see the program paths for the Startup Items. Basically, uncheck any item that is related to McAfee. This will stop these programs from being launched by Windows. Then, click on the SERVICES tab. Click on the "hide all microsoft services" box down below. Now you just see the third party services installed by programs after Windows was installed. Do the same thing here - turning off all the McAfee services. Now click on OK and restart your computer (in SAFE MODE with NETWORKING, preferrably) and you'll be able to download and install Combofix without McAfee blocking it. I'm sure it's probabl only one or two modules causing this, but turning them all off keeps it simple. (It's complicated enough!)
Remember, when you're doing cleaning up, you'll want to turn McAfee back on. Just reverse the process by going back into MSCONFIG and checking the boxes in front of those programs and services then click OK and restart the PC!
GOOD LUCK!!