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Am I Being Hacked or What? Need Advice and Help

by Raquel
16 replies
Hello Fellow Warriors,

My laptop was infected by Vista Security 2010 Antivirus (which is actually a virus some kind of Rogue Virus) a few weeks ago. The Vista Security 2010 Antivirus Virus took over my security center and overwrites my Windows Defender and created a fake security center scanning my laptop and popping alerts like my laptop is in danger etc etc then prompting me to go to a website to buy the Vista Security 2010 Antivirus.The cancel button and stop button all goes to the site recommending me to buy the Vista Security 2010 Antivirus

Getting a virus or whatsoever never happened to me since 2006 when I started my full time IM. Unfortunately this happened when I got confused if my Windows Defender is just a spyware or it is also an anti-virus (because I have no anti-virus installed that time and all I have is Windows Defender)...Trying to find out the answer to my confusion, I surf the net to find answers and then maybe I accidentally clicked on that Vista Security 2010 Antivirus somewhere and after a few days it took over my security center and the start of my dilemma...I regret that I get confused and surf and look for answers because I am peaceful with Widows Defender since 2006 until before I clicked that thing.

I cannot open any browser as Vista Security 2010 Antivirus will always prompt an alert that I am infected by blah blah (obviously not true and just prompting me to buy the software) Gosh I almost did buy it to end my dilemma...But I figured I should use my desktop and research how to get rid of this Vista Security 2010 Antivirus. So after 12 hours I found the answer, printed the instruction, followed it and I was able to remove the Vista Security 2010 Antivirus and the freak alert messages and my TRUE security center got back and Windows Defender got back in business too..

So I am now back in my usual life in IM..but because I know now that my Windows Defender is just a spyware and I have no anti-virus installed in my laptop, I installed Kaspersky. I ran Defender and Kaspersky...so Defender says no malicious software and Kaspersky has not virus alert....So what a good day (I thought)

And then suddenly after 2 days or so..kaspersky and Defender detected Trojan (now another dilemma)...But they both disinfect it and removed it...so I m fine again but every now and then the same files in the USER folder keeps coming back but Kaspersky and Defender keeps detecting them, disinfecting them, putting to quarantine and deleting them..this goes on for 2 weeks now I guess....the infected files (which was deleted and disinfected by my antivirus and antispyware keeps coming back).Sometimes my antivirus and antispyware will say my laptop is not infected and then a day or two they will detect the same files infected by Trojan (e.g backdoor, win32sammlaft,win32agent..etc..)

Since Defender and KAspersky are capturing them even if they keep coming back, I think I will be Ok with that...BUT...until this morning my bestfriend emailed me and she received an email from me (with links on the email) and asking me if I sent that e-mail....And i said I didn't send that email....What scares me is that the addressee of the email sent through my yahoo email account is not only my bestfriend but the email was also sent to Clickbank Marketbay and to other close friends of mine and to my ex-boyfriend whom I never talked or communicated with for years.. And what puzzles me is that when I checked my sent items all 2009-2010 sent items are all gone but the 2008 downwards sent items are still there. But my inbox seems untouched and the same...If there is a setting in yahoo mail to delete the sent items at some time (a month or year after etc.) so why it deleted 2010-2009 first? it should delete those older than 2010 first right?

Am I being hacked? Or the email sent from my account with links in it normally happens? I also received spam emails on my yahoo account just like anybody else....but I never thought my friends will receive spam email from my account that I didn't send...

Am I being hacked? Is this something to do with the Trojan virus I keep getting? Today my Kaspersky and Defender says my laptop is OK

what do you think? Any advice? thanks and sorry such a long post...I am worried I buy domains and hosting every now and then using my credit cards and paypal...that yahoo email is my email since around 1996 so it is kinda my official emai and uses it as my official email on affiliate programs etc. I already changed the password of my email..Though I'm still worried about my email, clickbank , etc..

Thanks for your time and advice

Raquel
#advice #hacked
  • Profile picture of the author jennypitts
    OK... WOW Raquel, I got overwhelmed just reading everything that happened to you. First, just take a deep breath... Believe it or not if we get frustrated or desperate when things like these happen.

    Now, this is what I DO, when weird things happen to my PC. First of all, your afterthought was right, Defender is actually not an anti-virus. If you have Windows XP or beyond, go to Microsoft Security Essentials. Download their free anti-virus, it is program specific so make sure you click on which operation system you have. I used this and it removed a Trojan. The good thing is that every time there is a threat it recognizes it and prompts you to destroy it. Give it a try. If not wait a while and other Warriors will give you some other ideas. GOOD LUCK!!
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    • Profile picture of the author Raquel
      Originally Posted by jennypitts View Post

      OK... WOW Raquel, I got overwhelmed just reading everything that happened to you. First, just take a deep breath... Believe it or not if we get frustrated or desperate when things like these happen.

      Now, this is what I DO, when weird things happen to my PC. First of all, your afterthought was right, Defender is actually not an anti-virus. If you have Windows XP or beyond, go to Microsoft Security Essentials. Download their free anti-virus, it is program specific so make sure you click on which operation system you have. I used this and it removed a Trojan. The good thing is that every time there is a threat it recognizes it and prompts you to destroy it. Give it a try. If not wait a while and other Warriors will give you some other ideas. GOOD LUCK!!
      Jenny,
      Thanks for taking the time to read my long post. Is it OK to get that Microsoft Security Essentials when I already have Kaspersky anti-virus?

      Thanks
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      Raquel

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      • Profile picture of the author ContentArticleWriter
        Originally Posted by Raquel View Post

        Jenny,
        Thanks for taking the time to read my long post. Is it OK to get that Microsoft Security Essentials when I already have Kaspersky anti-virus?

        Thanks
        Hi Raquel, I too downloaded the Microsoft Essentials and like it. The good thing about it is that if an outside source (like a flashdrive) gets inserted into the computer and it is infected, Microsoft Essentials will alert you immediately. It allows you to clean your computer and the potential carrier (in this case the flashdrive). So you should give it a try. The best part about it is that it continues to scan your computer in the background occasionally as you work.
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        • Profile picture of the author jennypitts
          Originally Posted by anthony2 View Post

          jenny thanks for the tip on Microsoft Security Essentials
          free anti virus software

          i will check it out myself
          You are very welcomed. Ever since I discovered it, I swear by it.

          Originally Posted by Raquel View Post

          Jenny,
          Thanks for taking the time to read my long post. Is it OK to get that Microsoft Security Essentials when I already have Kaspersky anti-virus?

          Thanks
          Raquel you are welcome too. As for your question, I do not see how Microsoft Security Essentials would have any negative effect on your Kapersky. I think the only anti-virus that actually prompts you against other anti-virus and Spyware is McAffee (especially since they offered paid services, they do not want you using free ones). Microsoft Security Essentials is found on the Microsoft website and was designed for Windows XP 32 - 64 bit, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Therefore I think it does a better job at scanning your operational system.

          I happen to also have free spywares, CCleaner and Spybot. Those two I even run at the same time and neither affects the other. After running the spywares, I usually do a quick scan with Security essentials. However, you have to be patient. You can continue to work, although the computer will be a bit slower, but the quick scan takes up to two hours (depending on how much you have in your PC) while a full scan can take more than 9 hours. Nonetheless, in my personal experience it has been well worth it. I hope this works out for you, I know how annoying and frustrating it can be for someone to invade your computer and put at risk what you have worked so hard to build.
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          • Profile picture of the author Raquel
            Originally Posted by jennypitts View Post

            You are very welcomed. Ever since I discovered it, I swear by it.



            Raquel you are welcome too. As for your question, I do not see how Microsoft Security Essentials would have any negative effect on your Kapersky. I think the only anti-virus that actually prompts you against other anti-virus and Spyware is McAffee (especially since they offered paid services, they do not want you using free ones). Microsoft Security Essentials is found on the Microsoft website and was designed for Windows XP 32 - 64 bit, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Therefore I think it does a better job at scanning your operational system.

            I happen to also have free spywares, CCleaner and Spybot. Those two I even run at the same time and neither affects the other. After running the spywares, I usually do a quick scan with Security essentials. However, you have to be patient. You can continue to work, although the computer will be a bit slower, but the quick scan takes up to two hours (depending on how much you have in your PC) while a full scan can take more than 9 hours. Nonetheless, in my personal experience it has been well worth it. I hope this works out for you, I know how annoying and frustrating it can be for someone to invade your computer and put at risk what you have worked so hard to build.


            Thanks Jenny....In times like this it is so comforting to know there are people you can talk to. I am in PANIC.I cannot even take a bath thinking about this and glued in front of my laptop..geez I have no one to talk to here at home..All I have here are my parents who have no idea about computers and a young niece,.,,....thanks again jenny..
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            Raquel

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        • Profile picture of the author Raquel
          Originally Posted by ContentArticleWriter View Post

          Hi Raquel, I too downloaded the Microsoft Essentials and like it. The good thing about it is that if an outside source (like a flashdrive) gets inserted into the computer and it is infected, Microsoft Essentials will alert you immediately. It allows you to clean your computer and the potential carrier (in this case the flashdrive). So you should give it a try. The best part about it is that it continues to scan your computer in the background occasionally as you work.
          Thanks..Then I should de-install my Defender and Kasperky....One weird thing happening since yesterday is when is at my yahoo mail an md.ph file sometimes popping out saying "You have chosen to open md.php which is a php File from from mail.yahoo.com something...would you like to open the file? of course I will click Cancel ...I didn't click open a file or something on my email so why it keeps popping?? geezzz Am I being hacked?
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          Raquel

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  • Profile picture of the author anthony2
    jenny thanks for the tip on Microsoft Security Essentials
    free anti virus software

    i will check it out myself
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  • Profile picture of the author Mega B
    It does sound like you have something nasty on your computer i use AVG anti-virus,Ad-Aware and Spyware Blaster and they have all the latest downloads,another anti-virus i also use is Avast.The worst one of the lot is Norton as it can be a total pain to remove all the code if you decide to change to another brand name.
    Hope you get it sorted out
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  • Profile picture of the author Gary King
    Sorry to hear of your many, many troubles Raquel...

    First, please, please backup (to CD, DVD, USB Stick, Online Backup, etc.) your important info...

    Often when you are infected with one of these fake anti-virus programs, they seem to be removed, but either re-appear or are actually (believe it or not) hiding from you. I've seen it dozens of times.

    If you have Kapersky and you are still seeing re-appearances of these bad things, first make sure that Kapersky is up to date.

    Since it seems you are getting re-infected, chances are that your Windows installation isn't patched too... Do a Windows update and apply the critical patches - do it until there are no more critical updates.

    If the bad things keep re-appearing, you can try to do a system restore or consider reloading windows - sometimes it is the only way to truly wipe out these buggers (sorry)... just make sure you have things backed up first!

    If you need more help, PM me. If appropriate, I'll post my response(s) back here too for the benefit of others.

    Hope it helps!

    Gary
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    • Profile picture of the author Raquel
      Originally Posted by Gary King View Post

      Sorry to hear of your many, many troubles Raquel...

      First, please, please backup (to CD, DVD, USB Stick, Online Backup, etc.) your important info...

      Often when you are infected with one of these fake anti-virus programs, they seem to be removed, but either re-appear or are actually (believe it or not) hiding from you. I've seen it dozens of times.

      If you have Kapersky and you are still seeing re-appearances of these bad things, first make sure that Kapersky is up to date.

      Since it seems you are getting re-infected, chances are that your Windows installation isn't patched too... Do a Windows update and apply the critical patches - do it until there are no more critical updates.

      If the bad things keep re-appearing, you can try to do a system restore or consider reloading windows - sometimes it is the only way to truly wipe out these buggers (sorry)... just make sure you have things backed up first!

      If you need more help, PM me. If appropriate, I'll post my response(s) back here too for the benefit of others.

      Hope it helps!

      Gary
      Thanks Gary,
      I really appreciate your offer of helping, that was really a kind gesture (sure I will PM you or ask you if everything went wild here (hope I still have it under control).. Hope I do not have to re-format (Im not that tech savvy I just know a little of this and that and can follow some simple advice, I haven't experienced formatting my HDD before or re-installing OS)..geezz hope I don't have to ....
      My USB stick is not big enough for my files (guess I i have a lot of pdfs and ebooks accumulated since 2006).I guess I need to buy an external drive with auto back up software ASAP.
      Right now i followed Jenny's advice here to download Microsoft Security Essential..I already de-install my kasperky since this Microsoft Security Essential is both antispyware and anti virus...I hope it could erase all trojans and will not comeback...

      Thanks and please have patience if i keep asking...thanks to all for the moral support...

      Thanks again..
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      Raquel

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  • Profile picture of the author Regional Warrior
    Hi Raquel
    It looks like you have a Virus on the Laptop so here are some tips to help you
    1 ) download this program called Malaware Bytes its free , if you are not abe to use the laptop try another comptuer/laptop , then upload to your Laptop!
    2 ) re start laptop keep pressing F8 till you see that you an start the in safe mode
    3 ) If you can find the desktop shortcut of Malaware bytes and run program , when finished it will show a log you can delete this as it would only be used for a tech to look at

    I have been through what your issue is at the moment!if all fails you have a least 2 more areas to try

    Go on to google and type in "my google serch page is getting redirected" once it loads the serch pages look for any tech page and look around there you will find some very good tech persons who will help you

    The final one is reformat ...

    Good Luck with this

    Jase
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    • Profile picture of the author Raquel
      Originally Posted by Jason P Syron View Post

      Hi Raquel
      It looks like you have a Virus on the Laptop so here are some tips to help you
      1 ) download this program called Malaware Bytes its free , if you are not abe to use the laptop try another comptuer/laptop , then upload to your Laptop!
      2 ) re start laptop keep pressing F8 till you see that you an start the in safe mode
      3 ) If you can find the desktop shortcut of Malaware bytes and run program , when finished it will show a log you can delete this as it would only be used for a tech to look at

      I have been through what your issue is at the moment!if all fails you have a least 2 more areas to try

      Go on to google and type in "my google serch page is getting redirected" once it loads the serch pages look for any tech page and look around there you will find some very good tech persons who will help you

      The final one is reformat ...

      Good Luck with this

      Jase
      Thanks Jason, I have a friend whose name is also Jason whose been very patient with me when I have problems with my Camera ..i guess Jasons are all kind..

      I already did that Malawarebyte weeks ago when I was infected by Vista Security 2010. It was actually a good malaware software because it removed the Vista Security 2010 malaware that keeps scanning my laptop and popping annoying alerts..and got back my real security center and windows defender.....

      But now I have trojan keeps coming back...thanks to your advice and for the patience of reading my long post
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      Raquel

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  • Profile picture of the author Raquel
    Thanks to everyone here. Looks like my laptop is now OK

    @Gary King : Thanks...Although y windows updates is set to automatic, with your advise I checked on Widows updates and surprised to see I have 16 critical updates that needs to be installed (I wonder how it happened since my updates is set at Auto) Anyway I did the updates until noting is left.

    @ Jenny: I downloaded Microsoft Security Essential and did full scan for 2 consecutive days and and it says NO THREATS and its been 4 days and no re-appearance of Trojan. I guess my laptop is now OK?.....and the weird download md file from my yahoo mail is also gone.but still i changed all psswrds.

    To all who gave the time to read my long post and keep me company and gave support to my dilemma thank you very much....Thank God I do not have to reformat.....

    Raquel
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    Raquel

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  • Profile picture of the author Lloyd Buchinski
    Good to hear that it seems to be solved now. But just in case, the first thing I do when there is a problem is download Avast. When you first start it up, you have an option to scan the computer on the restart to install it.

    It stops the restart half way through and does a scan when nothing else is moving. That makes it really fast. It saved me from a really serious problem. It found the problem during that scan and deleted it.

    After I googled the name of the trojan and read a couple of stories of computers that were just trash after it got on them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Raquel
      I thought the problem was fixed but since April20, I am getting one specific Trojan which is the TrojanJS/Redirector.CR that keeps appearing everyday even if my Microsoft Security Essential keeps detecting it and keeps deleting it.

      Anyone who had the same problem before? Any advice? Thanks
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      Raquel

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      • Profile picture of the author Raquel
        I thought the problem was gone, I've researched the net and found some instructions in dealing with trojan and tried some of those. I'm getting TrojanJS/Redirector.CR... EVERYDAY since April 20 and after doing some of the things I researched, the virus didn't show up for like 3 days. I thought cool the problem is fixed. But it returned yesterday Although nothing weird is happening with my laptop now and MSE detected and deleted it..I am really really worried that my security might be at risk because it keeps coming back.

        I read at Microsoft website about TrojanJS/Redirector.CR. and it says:

        Trojan:JS/Redirector.CR is a detection for obfuscated JavaScript contained within Web pages. This JavaScript may be present on a malicious Web site, and may redirect users to Web sites that the user did not elect to visit.

        It is possible that the Trojan can redirect my affiliate links to someone and stole it? Or do something to steal my earnings? I do not know about these stuffs.

        Although MSE is automatically detecting it and removing it. I also perform Full scan using Malwarebyte.. No threats found but I am wondering why the virus keeps coming back.

        Lloyd I'm about to try Avast although I already have MSE

        Any advise? Thanks.

        Here is the capture of my MSE:
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        Raquel

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