Malware problem

[Gortex]

Got back from the lan and both myself and my computer seem to have come down with something.

For me it is a cold that I think TL may have generously handed out as he was not feeling great Sunday.

For my computer I seem to be having issues with random internet pages popping up and or taking me to web pages which are different to the one I am searching for. This seems to be mainly happening through google searches and after a few checks seems to be Malware related.

I am wanting to get rid of this but when searching for any programs to help there are just loads and am not sure which ones can be trusted and those that can not. Anyone got any advice for this and how to then protect for the future?

I recently used Kaspersky as of 2 months ago and never had a problem, after not renewing my license following advice from friends and trying other software out this is the second problem I have had. I am seriously thinking of going back to Kaspersky as a long term protection but also any advice on best security for future would be helpful.

thanks in advance....

[ArithonUK]

Get a copy of the great utility "HijackThis"

HijackThis is a free utility that generates an in depth report of  registry and file settings from your computer. HijackThis makes no  separation between safe and unsafe settings in its scan results giving  you the ability to selectively remove items from your machine. In  addition to this scan and remove capability HijackThis comes with  several tools useful in manually removing malware from a computer.

It will help you find where the malware is injecting itself, so you can remove the sucker.

[Blunt]

I've always been pleased with Malwarebytes, it's free too.

[smilodon]

Another vote for Malwarebytes

[Lameduck]

I used Kaspersky for about 4 years, excellent product no problems.
When it became time to renew last year I happened upon a few posts on here praising Microsoft Security Essentials and decided to try it.
I've not heard of Malwarebytes, so I d'loaded it and scanned my comp. Result indicated no malware on the system.
So it seems that Security Essentials is doing what it said on the can and it is also free.

[kregoron]

Security Essentials + Spybot Search & Destroy

[faust82]

Yeah, that's what I use for my own personal use as well. Won't do in an enterprise environment, but for the casual home user, sure.

When it comes to clearing crap that's already on there, a combo of Malwarebytes and SpyBot in safe mode should do the trick in most cases.

[kregoron]

Yeah, that's what I use for my own personal use as well. Won't do in an enterprise environment, but for the casual home user, sure.

When it comes to clearing crap that's already on there, a combo of Malwarebytes and SpyBot in safe mode should do the trick in most cases.

Actually were currently discussing replacing our Norman enterprise enviroment/Mcafee total protection with Microsoft security essential enterprise. (Sadly not free in enterprise enviroments)

[faust82]

As I said, it won't do in an enterprise environment. The business version of Security Essentials is limited to ten computers, so it's only usable for SMB's, and small ones at that. I've been at backwater tractor dealerships with more than ten computers.
If you're going enterprise, it's called System Center Endpoint Protection, and that opens up a whole new can of worms. That means you've gotta run System Center. Fine if you're already doing it, but if you're not you probably already have some form of control and reporting system that integrates with some other form of endpoint security, like Symantec, McAfee or Panda.

[kregoron]

As I said, it won't do in an enterprise environment. The business version of Security Essentials is limited to ten computers, so it's only usable for SMB's, and small ones at that. I've been at backwater tractor dealerships with more than ten computers.
If you're going enterprise, it's called System Center Endpoint Protection, and that opens up a whole new can of worms. That means you've gotta run System Center. Fine if you're already doing it, but if you're not you probably already have some form of control and reporting system that integrates with some other form of endpoint security, like Symantec, McAfee or Panda.

Yes but if id have said System Center Endpoint Protection most people would be lost.

I have been running a test setup with a limited amound of clients (500 units) for the last 5 months, and working really well, its less intrusive then most other enterprise anti vira solutions. Tho their support is rather daft at times.

Its either Mcafee endpoint or System Center Endpoint Protection


But for home users their just isnt much point in paying for Anti vira anymore. MSE is just doing to brilliant a job

[Browne]

Could never fault MS Security essentials, easy on the eye, easy on resources...Anyway, I'm a Microsoftophile, so shoot me..

[kregoron]

Could never fault MS Security essentials, easy on the eye, easy on resources...Anyway, I'm a Microsoftophile, so shoot me..

I concur, not on the Microsoftophile (nice word )

Ive used a large variety of Anti Vira over the years.. both payed and free

Amongs Panda, NOD32, AVG, Norton (what horible experience) and MSE is the one ive found the best, you dont notice it running.

[b00n]

I used to swear by Avast, but it now feels quite bloated and failed to prevent drive-by downloads on a couple of occasions, so I have ditched it and am running AVG.  I haven't noticed it once since installing it so I guess you could say it's unobtrusive.  I'll never fully trust windows to be secure, however, so these days for me it's windows for games, real work on a linux partition/VM, and anything important backed up or in version control.  Spent too much time faffing about repairing malware to bother any more, a wipe and reinstall/reimage is quicker and safer.

[Tutonic]

If you've got a complete and working backup, I would seriously consider doing a format & reinstall.

You can never quite guarantee that this stuff is completely removed, and the very last thing you want is a nasty Trojan/logger lurking around on your system undetected.

If thats too painful an option, I can only echo what a lot of other posters have suggested. A combo of MSE and Spybot/Malwarebytes is usually pretty safe, but don't count on it.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 LTE.

[Gortex]

Cheers for all the advice chaps and sorry for not responding sooner, been struck down with the extremely dangerous and very serious Man Flu and brain only just starting to work again.

Have installed Malwarebytes and it seems to have removed the problem as have not had anything else happen. Will run several checks and scans to make sure it is all gone but as Tut says a complete re-install is best thing needed but before I run that will be making some back up’s of stuff I don't want to lose like pic's, music and COD4 toon save etc.