Dang virus keeps on coming back after removal!

[Michael Lee]

Hi guys,

I''ve used Malwarebytes and it detected Trojan.FakeAlert. Got it removed already. But the problem is that this is probably the 4th time this virus has been detected and removed over a one-month period.

I've used Windows XP before and Malwarebytes never detected this virus. When my computer crashed, I bought a new PC with Windows Vista. That's the time this virus started appearing.

I never visit any site that I know is risky or untrustworthy. How could I permanently remove it and stop it from coming back? Is it a keylogging threat?

Thanks!
Michael

[Intrepreneur]

Try Super Anti Spyware.. I use it with great success but if that doesn't work, join a more sophisticated computing forum and they'll walk you through using Hijack this to indetify anything that might be causing it.

And if there isn't anything internal causing it I guess you're just downloading the wrong stuff to your computer. A helpful avoidance of infections is to use Virus Total (virustotal.com) to scan all downloads when you aren't sure of their credibility i.e when you download software from anywhere other than Cnet.

[silvervixen]

First, turn off "system restore" so that the virus doesn't re-write itself on reboot, then get Dr Web antivirus. It's free. Scan with that, and then run Malwarebytes, and you should be rid of it.

Viruses aren't fun...hope this helps and good luck!

[paulie888]

Very good advice from silvervixen. If after turning off system restore you STILL get the virus after scanning your hard drive, then I'm afraid you might have to resort to the drastic measure of reformatting your computer and reinstalling the operating system and everything else! I know it's not a very pleasant thought, but if you've run through all the steps and you still can't eradicate this virus, you just have to do it.

[pizzatherapy]

A few months ago I was at my wits end with a virus. I spoke to a number of tech guys, they said the only cure was a complete re-install of my Operating System. (I had XP Pro)

Someone suggested AVG (the free version). I had it scan my system and that seemd to do the trick.

Turning off System Restore was something I never thought of.great advice.

I wish this thread was around when I was banging my head against the wall. Thanks Warriors for the helpful advice. Good luck.

[rapidscc]

Hi Mike,

Just did a google search of the trojan and here's what is said on the PCtools site:

Trojan.FakeAlert will hijack the desktop background with an image alerting the user that their computer system has been infected with spyware. It also changes some settings of windows which include:- disabling permissions for the user to change the background image and setting the active desktop to 'show web content'. It is usually installed in conjunction with a rogue anti-spyware application.

PC Tools said they can remove it..So you could try that..

By the way, it doesn't say on the description that it can key log..so maybe it can't
but to be sure why not look for more information.

All the best,

[parzlou]

Thanks to my children and there Instant message downloads I have had to battle this more than once
I have found that if you get it b4 you click on the "your computer is infected " warning pop up you can kill it with malewarebytes anti malware ..
But if it has been executed you will not be able to start your AV or search for one to kill it as it will block your search , downloads , updates any thing todo with AV it will block .
I had to format the drive on my desktop and re-install the OS ...someone remind to thank my kids again for that ....

[globalpro]

Hey Michael,

I had something similar last week that came from something called Internet Security 2010. The worst part was that it keep setting up redirects from Google search.

Malwarebytes solved most of the problem, but not all of it. In forcing searches, I found TDSS Killer at this site:

Viruses and solutions

It removed a rootkit and all is well now.

Hope that helps.

Thanks,

John

[Profit-smart]

Go get a Kaspersky 30 day trial.

The only thing that bugs me about kaspersky is it takes some MAJOR tweaking to get it to let you run your other firewalls/antispyware programs.

But seriously, nothing beats Kaspersky. Those Russians have some skills.



Also, it sounds like you have a rootkit. This means more than one file is infected. The only way to fix this kind of infection is usually a total format and reinstallation of windows.

Try this tool to find out if you have a rootkit

New Panda Anti-Rootkit – Version 1.07 | Panda Research Blog

[schofieldml]

Michael,

Go to the Major Geek forums. Read and follow their Malware removal guide and follow exactly what is tells you to do. It is quite a process but at the end you will have the virus removed for good. All of the virus removal tools they recommend are free. Part of the process is where you send them a Hijack This report and an expert over there tells you additional steps you should take. I used this process several times in the past and it worked every time.

Tip: I currently use Kaspersky Anti-Virus and never have had a problem with viruses since using it. However, it probably wouldn't take care of an existing virus.

I would post the link but I don't have enough posts on this forum to do that.

Mike

[brenson]

I use Microsoft Security essentials and skybot, I havent have any problems yet (win7), so I have no experience with viruses nowadays but I remember the old times when had to delete stuff from the registry. Do you think I should use something else to keep muyfels virus free in the future?

[Online Business Mentor]

agreed. That is what I recon is the best

Originally Posted by Intrepreneur

Try Super Anti Spyware.. I use it with great success but if that doesn't work, join a more sophisticated computing forum and they'll walk you through using Hijack this to indetify anything that might be causing it.

And if there isn't anything internal causing it I guess you're just downloading the wrong stuff to your computer. A helpful avoidance of infections is to use Virus Total (virustotal.com) to scan all downloads when you aren't sure of their credibility i.e when you download software from anywhere other than Cnet.

[Online Business Mentor]

Originally Posted by Online Business Mentor

agreed. That is what I recon is the best

(super anti spyware) they normally have a free trial and does the job without buying it in full