[power_drain]

I am extremely sorry but I didnt see any forum section for computer problems, and im not sure if this is the best place to post, so please move this thread if theres a better place for it.

So I dont know what happend, but lately my computer has been running slow, and my internet connection has been acting strange. Ill boot up windows, and right when my desktop shows up, ill see a little CMD command box, for a split second, which never happend before. Then ill have my usual startup items appear, such as msn, and limewire. But it takes a little while longer to get things settled in. Meaning, i usually close limewire and i might exit out of msn. But it takes a super long time. Then I noticed that my start button, and taskbar at the bottom of my screen will totally dissapear for a couple seconds at a time. Also I will load up my home page in firefox, which is msn, and it comes up fast. But if i enter another website in my address bar it takes forever. I understand that might have to do with cookies, but even so, it was never that slow. So I brought up task manager and went to processes. And noticed a suspicious, netmon.exe... So i googled it, and it seems that it is spyware. I brought up a run command box, and opend ''msconfig'' and went to startup, and theres some totally weird things..such as, mtqrgdfx, and yhtqvwkt. Enabled for startup. So i disabled them, and restarted windows. And when it rebooted, i went back to msconfig, and the mofo things are set to startup again! Plus I still have that suspicious netmon.exe that i have no idea how to get rid of. I tried looking for the mofo in system 32, but i cant find it anywhere. Probably hiding like a pussy..

Are there any free programs that get rid of spyware..? but are good? because i downloaded one..and it says i dont have any spyware which is obviously wrong

Ill accept any alternatives.

Oh but I forgot to mention, I tried to use system restore...

and ALL of my restore points are completely GONE!!
they just dissapeared...wtf!!??
_
Edit: SORRY! i just saw the forum i was supposed to post in.. i cant believe i missed it -_-..

[kris23]

lol disk fragmentation man...

and you are supposed to post in the hardware support and discussion thread.

[temeteus82]

I moved this to windows forums...
You got any anti-virus applications installed and running?

[power_drain]

No..I usually try those ones that pop up sometimes offering free scan and removal..but only scan..and ask for registration to remove.. I had some Norton garbage..but it expired.. other than that no.

[BlueMak]

Oh man...where to begin?
You are just asking for it...

First of all, never ever install Norton anti virus or any of their current software.
If you want free good antivirus program, there are some. Search for AVG, Antivir for two of them. (but always only have one installed).
Never ever accept any pop up that tells you to scan your computers for errors. It is like someone knocking on your door and telling you to let them in, to check if your door locks alright, and btw, can you also give him your gun, to make sure it will work if you ever need it.


Now, your system seems to be infected (though I can't know for sure). I am sure there are ways to cure it, but I would strongly suggest to just FORMAT the drive (you only have one I guess?)
Just make sure that you copy your important files to either another drive or DVDs etc.

After you format the drive and install Windows, the first thing you need to do is to download (don't download them with your current state since you might infect them too) all the critical patches from Microsoft, that is unless you have already installed at least SP2.
Then download and install one of the two free antivirus programs I told you. You might need to reboot. Then proceed with a complete scan of your drives. Also of the drives/back ups you have made. If you find viruses on your backups, depending on the files, I wouldn't try to run/copy them in your PC again, even with a good anti virus running, but that is just me being paranoid.
You might also want to install a good software firewall, like Kerio (has recently changed name I believe) or ZoneAlarm.

[power_drain]

I remember hating AVG for some reason.. but anyway I have another HD yeah.. but I dont have any empty discs, nor do I have a windows installation disc. So formatting, and reinstalling windows is probably out of the picture.. ive done that so many times in the past anyway.. My current windows is so bootlegged..I cant even go into safemode because it tells me to activate my copy of windows.. Ill get that free anti-virus i saw on that other thread here.

But I just downloaded Adaware, and it seemed to get rid of netmon.exe which is really good, my internet seems to be running faster now. I dont know what the case is with the other things, but i seem to be comming back..

[Tipstaff]

Look for programs such as Superantispyware, Spyware Doctor, and Spybot Search & Destroy. Run all of those at least 2 times in succession along with AdAware. If you can run them in Safe Mode too, do so.

For free AV software, AVG is ok, AntiVir is fine too, however I prefer Avast! 4 Home. I've yet to try PC Tools AV (from the guys who make Spyware Doctor), but it has been getting some good reviews.

Words of wisdom:

- Unplug or disable your network cable. You do not want to be on the net, or have an active connection to the net when you do your cleaning.

- If you can, run all your scans in Safe Mode.

- For starters you don't need to do a full scan of the system right now. Pick the essential folders to scan first, such as Document and Settings, Programs, and Windows folders, along with memory and startup areas.

- Before you run your scans, disable any unnecessary apps starting up by disabling them in MSConfig (Start | Run | MSCONFIG | StartUp tab). Reboot, then run your scans in Safe Mode or Normal desktop mode.

- While not quite a last resort program, you might want to try using a program called SDFix. This program is actually a collection of scripts and programs that look for specific trojans, spyware, malware, and so fourth. The great thing about it is that it will reset everything from security, protocols, and such back to their defaults, including essential services that can be disabled by a virus/trojan such as ICS. Of note, the program runs in Safe Mode first under the user you use to boot up in normal mode. When if finishes it's work in Safe Mode it reboots into normal Windows, and continues it's work, so it's critical that you use the same user in both Windows modes. Run it at least twice, and don't be worried if you see things reactivated that you might have otherwise disabled, such as Security Center, Automatic Updates, System Restore, and such. As I said, it resets essential things back to default.

[temeteus82]

Yeah as said it looks like you got some nasty virus's on your PC. As BlueMak said total reinstallation of windows might be the solution. And it's good to use AV software I personally use Avast! since it's light and it works on my Vista x64

[power_drain]

Thanks for the tips guys..

I tried avast too, and it said I have zero viruses on my pc... weird?

[OldBuzzard]

Originally Posted by power_drain

No..I usually try those ones that pop up sometimes offering free scan and removal...

Three rules regarding that:
1. Don't use them.
2. Don't ever use them.
3. Don't never ever use them.

Hell, 1/2 the time those suckers INSTALL shit.

To tell the truth, it would probably be a lot easier, and faster to just format and re-install. You will probably spend more time fixing it that it would be worth.

To keep spy/adware garbage out, I'd recommend Windows Defender. I know it's by "The Great Satan of Computing", but it works, does a damned fine job, and it's free.

[Son_of_Thunder]

Try the Smit Fraud fix, although it does need to be run in safe mode for maximum effectiveness.

As far as spyware removal goes, the guys have hit it, but with virus removal, I'd use the free version of Bit Defender. There isn't an active protection like with AVG or Avast!, but for just getting rid of a virus you already have, there's nothing better.

Ditch limewire, it's a horrible virus infested hive of evil. If you must have it, don't let it start with the system, restrict it's upload speeds to the minimum, don't share anything, and only download mp3's.

[Blitzen]

these guys seemed to hit it pretty good. especially the no limewire thing.
based on your computers performance i'd say you need to turn off nearly all your startup stuff and possibly get more memory.

[Tipstaff]

This is just going to be a blanket post to cover things from both P2P and legit sources, so...

If you tend to download programs, keygens, and cracks from "questionable" or not well known places (even legit ones) the top 2 trojans you open yourself up to is the Vundo and SmitFraud variants.

Vundo is the one you will most likely run into when downloading programs, keygens, and cracks, especially from P2P locations. What people will do is repackage executables into new executables, so basically each one has 2 parts: the Vundo trojan along with the legit or not legit parts (program, keygen, or crack). Once you run it Vundo gets installed, then calls are made to the other program.

My advice is that whenever you download a program try to open the files using something like WinRAR. If you can take a look at the files inside, and if you see only 2 executables, 1 with the same name as the one you just opened, and one with something like _xxx.exe, then be careful. You can try to extract the legit part, but my advice is to delete it. If you see a lot of files, again, look for one like the _xxx.exe , and again, be careful what you do.

[Matth]

Of the free ones (antivirus),
AVG is popular, tends to have good compatibility, but is a little on the weak side against less common threats.
Antivir/Avira/Free-AV has strong heuristics, but has always been a little hairtrigger for heuristic false alarms.
Avast requires annual re-registration.

AVG also do seperate free Antispyware and Anti-rootkit programs.
Lavasoft Ad-Aware free is an on demand (only) ad/spyare remover.
Spybot search & destroy - The home of Spybot-S&D! (official site, beware of imitations!) is another antispyware with some resident guard capability.
Windows Defender - not a high reputation, but far better than nothing - the easy setup, if you want resident protection and don't like Spybot S&D.


And never, EVER use any of those "you have got spyware" things, they PUT some on, just to make sure you have a reason to buy the snide program they are promoting.