computer virus problem

[bertrand]

It looks like a virus tried to come to my computer. I think I got rid of it except it looks like my browser keeps trying to access two sites which my antivirus ESET NOD32 keeps blocking (bigbadhead and zonedg seem to be the name of the sites). What can I do to get the computer to stop trying to access these sites?

Thanks,

Bertrand.

[tranemonk]

My experience with these types of things is to do two things...

1) Run the virus scan from multiple sites (e.g., Symantec and McAfee for example)... Assuming you are running Windows

2) Reboot into Safe mode (hit F8 several times as soon as the computer restarts) with the network enabled... then repeat step 1...

From my experience that usually does it... Good luck and let me know what happens.

[jostber]

You can in addition to tranemonk's good advice use System Mechanic to clean up other riff raff files on your computer. I used that before when running Windows.

After that install Linux and your troubles are gone for good. http://www.linuxcd.org/view_distro.php?id_distro=46&ref=distrowatch

[king ubu]

And try running some anti-malware stuff, too... Malwarebytes' Anti Malware is what I have... also got this after I'd been attacked (by one of these make-believe anti-virus things that stops your virus-programme from running - that was a nuisance!)

Edited June 11, 2011 by king ubu

[Shawn]

Delete all cookies, temporary internet files, everything. Restart the computer, test it again and see what it does.

Then download "AVAST", it's free and as easy to use as anything in Windows ever is.

Afterwards, start shopping for a cheap Mac.

[king ubu]

Afterwards, start shopping for a cheap Mac.

Which is a contradictio in adiecto, of course, hence the grinning emoticon...

[jostber]

Afterwards, start shopping for a cheap Mac.

Which is a contradictio in adiecto, of course, hence the grinning emoticon...

While, if you look at my link above, you can get a complete Suse distribution with applications for $5. Quite good value I would say.

[Shawn]

I never knew I could make a shallow attempt at humor and inspire latin! I have a new skill!

[king ubu]

I never knew I could make a shallow attempt at humor and inspire latin! I have a new skill!

guess you need a weirdo audience for that (such as me)

[Chalupa]

And try running some anti-malware stuff, too... Malwarebytes' Anti Malware is what I have... also got this after I'd been attacked (by one of these make-believe anti-virus things that stops your virus-programme from running - that was a nuisance!)

Definitely run Malwarebytes.

[bertrand]

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

I actually went to Micro Center (where I bought the PC) first thing on opening Saturday and got a very competent and friendly technician who cleaned it for me. He ran a second scanner as suggested above, something that does not run in real time which he therefore did not recommend for home use. I then sat there for an hour while a scan was done. Cost me nothing since they never checked it in for diagnostic.

I scanned at home again which found one more infected file, but ran it again a few times and nothing more came up. Those funny websites are gone, and 'defender' does not come up with anything more.

So I think I'm OK, knock on wood.

I will definitely look into malwarebytes.

As for Mac vs. PC, I asked around and apparently Macs are starting to get viruses as well. However, they are much less frequent, so there is a good chance my next computer will be a Mac. This one is still quite new...

Bertrand.

[Shawn]

Glad they got it cleaned up for you. I'm not a mac/pc nazi at all, spent a large portion of my professional career in Windows and with Windows based software, if you learn what to avoid it's actually fairly easy to "not" get a virus on a PC.

I did tech support for Apple for a year, average of 20-25 calls a day, working solely supporting the main operating system. In 12 months, I had to forward 1 call to a team that watches out for Mac viruses. I went back and checked the ticket later and it wasn't a virus. So that's a pretty good average I would say.

There are still a few pieces of software that I either haven't found Mac versions or haven't found affordable Mac versions of, so I log into Windows about twice a week, for maybe 10 minutes or so, do what I need to do, run my updates, then I spend the rest of the week on the Mac side of my hard drive.

The only other reason I still have Windows installed is because about once every 6 months or so, I'll visiti a website that "only" works with Internet Explorer, so that forces me to "jump over"...but the only reason that is necessary, is because Microsoft stopped making a version of their browser for Mac.

But it's okay, I think I can live with 1 website every 6 months or so requiring me to use Windows. But, on average, i would say I'm 98% of the time logged into the Mac OS.

[GA Russell]

And try running some anti-malware stuff, too... Malwarebytes' Anti Malware is what I have... also got this after I'd been attacked (by one of these make-believe anti-virus things that stops your virus-programme from running - that was a nuisance!)

Definitely run Malwarebytes.

I bought Malwarebytes recently, but I don't understand it. I have it running on my machine, and it frequently says that it is blocking sites which attempt to access my computer.

It is the only anti-virus program I have on my computer. Am I supposed to be running another anti-virus program in addition to it?

[Chalupa]

And try running some anti-malware stuff, too... Malwarebytes' Anti Malware is what I have... also got this after I'd been attacked (by one of these make-believe anti-virus things that stops your virus-programme from running - that was a nuisance!)

Definitely run Malwarebytes.

I bought Malwarebytes recently, but I don't understand it. I have it running on my machine, and it frequently says that it is blocking sites which attempt to access my computer.

It is the only anti-virus program I have on my computer. Am I supposed to be running another anti-virus program in addition to it?

I've only used the free version which does not have real time protection. I just use it for as an malware removal tool. I would go w/ another anti-virsus program that is designed for that purpose. Microsoft Security Esentials is free software for anti-virus protection which I use. I've been using it for about 6 months w/out any problems. Go to CNET and check out the free downloads.