Antivirus Gold spyware malware

Acura NsX Pilot · 14 July 2005

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/How_to_remove_Antivirus_Gold_or_AVGold-t22397.html

I was browsing on the internet and had alot of applications open and before I knew it I got some pop up that got thru the blocker and this antivirus gold thing took over my desktop. Needless to say I did not know what to do, I tried to open folders and tried to get my dvd burner up to back up files and could not do anything. I had to do a recovery/reformat of the whole system and lost everything I had at the time.

Juice · 14 July 2005

I had the same experience on my secondary computer. I have not tackled the problem yet and am not sure if I ever will. The computer it attacked is acient and I don't even know if it worth it.

Exact same one - Antivirus Gold!!!

vtecNSX1 · 14 July 2005

My stepbrother got that on his computer recently. I couldnt get rid of it even with ad-aware or spybot destroy or even AVG anti virus. I ended up just reformatting his computer for him but its good now i know how to get rid of it.

DutchBlackNsx · 14 July 2005

Yup..... Had a bad one two weeks ago. Started up a few services and tasks, and they kept on changing names. Ending the tasks, deleting the executables, removing all from registry/startup no result.
Run all spyware removal tools known on the planet, and still nothing.
I hate to format my system, i only do maybe once every 3 years, and then only when i have a complete new setup, so i gave it a few goes.
It took me 3 days to get it off, but finally i succeeded.

I was reading about these guys who make these trojans/spyware/hijackers, and they may release 15 different versions a day, so no spyware program can keep up with it.

I swear, if i ever get one off these guys in me hands, i'm in jail.

rickysals · 14 July 2005

just remember that new virus/spyware/and types of popups created after your software, can only be blocked when the spyware/virus workers find it and figure out how to block/disable it, then you update your software.

I'm glad to have my MAC

whealy · 14 July 2005

Set your security settings to "High" and then enable trusted sites for those that you actually trust. You shoudl see your spyware issue pretty much go away. Unless you trust the wonrg site.

0ctan3 · 14 July 2005

HiJack This! is the only way I know of to get rid of the nastier spyware that's out there.
if you have extra tasks running, they will reappear unless you boot to safe/dos mode and delete all the associated .exe, .dll, and registry entries.

nuccaJB · 14 July 2005

Make sure you don't have auto update on in your settings. I did not realize that it was set to on on my laptop and I had some website highjack my computer a week ago. I am still trying to get things sorted out. The stupid bastards who use their skills to make a bullshit program for marketing that just f's up peoples computers should be shot in my opinion. Companies that advetise through these spyware services will not get my business once these stupid ads start popping up on my computer and freezing up other programs. AHHHH, I was so freakin pissed off the past week as I have been trying to clear up the system.

matteni · 14 July 2005

nuccaJB said:
Make sure you don't have auto update on in your settings. I did not realize that it was set to on on my laptop and I had some website highjack my computer a week ago.

Are you talking about Windows update, NAV auto update, or some other type of auto updates?

If they have been "on" for a while, do I just turn them off or do I need to research if they have been hacked?

I have heard this said before and was hoping to learn exactly which auto updates are risky and why.

Thanks in advance!

DutchBlackNsx · 14 July 2005

nuccaJB said:
The stupid bastards who use their skills to make a bullshit program for marketing that just f's up peoples computers should be shot in my opinion.

I wouldn't have the guts to advertise in such a way as they do. One day they find someone one their doorstap, just as pissed off as i am with these guys, and their face will be a right mess.

nuccaJB · 15 July 2005

TO turn off auto updates go to control panel and choose performance and maintenanca, then choose system and on that sub-window there is a tab to choose automatic updates. I prefer the option to be notified but not auto installed. My wife works IT and said that if it is autoinstall that is how the web site just change your settings and install new software. Last week I clicked on a website and a window pops up telling me that settings are being configured. I just thought the laptop was running some stupid program because I just went to microsoft and downloaded some updates. Then my computer froze and when I rebooted it super packed with spyware.

Hey DutchNSX let me know when you want to egg one of these programmers houses and I will be there with several dozen eggs and some rolls of toilet paper! :biggrin:

NeoNSX · 15 July 2005

While I hate recommending this, if you want to avoid 90%+ spyware getting onto your computer, don't use Internet Explorer.

I use the <A HREF="https://www.opera.com">Opera</A> web browser, and along with sensible browsing habits I never have spyware problems. The new Firefox browser is a good choice too.

Also don't visit porn sites... you'll definitely make a mess of your computer viewing porn. (pun not intended)

If it's too late and you need to remove spyware; one of the best programs i've used is <A HREF="http://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper/">Spy Sweeper</A>. Unfortunately it costs (there is a 30day free trial) but it even removes some of the hardcore-spyware i've encountered like Aurora adware. Just be careful what software you try because many anti-spyware programs actually put more spyware on.

<B>nuccaJB</B> : Are you 100% certain that Windows Updates gave you spyware? I'm sorry you've had so much trouble, but I doubt WU did this to you. You're actually at a HIGHER RISK without Windows Updates set to auto. Did you get the 'update' supposedly from Microsoft via email that was going around recently? I'd suggest trying to pinpoint other possibilities before blaming WU so you can avoid having your computer wasted again.

nuccaJB · 15 July 2005

My wife suggested that it may have been from the auto update option. I clicked on a website from a google search and as the site started to open a window opened that said something like inernet settings being updated or reconfigured. Just 20 mins prior I was on microsoft and downloaded the most recent updates. On my laptop I have major POS windows ME (what freakin POS money making waste of time it was when Mr. Gates allowed that crap to be released). I keep debating on putting XP on my laptop, but I will need to upgrade processors so the XP does not make my computer any slower.

queenlives · 15 July 2005

fwiw, i believe system/security is a proactive activity. here's our basic setup and approach... thus far, we've *never* been hijacked or had spyware installed on our win systems. (knocking on wood as i type this)

we are pac bell dsl customers, dynamic ip address, firewall set to "stun"

we have multiple win xp systems, all set to auto update; win firewalls are set to "stun"

each system has firefox as primary browser, opera paid as secondary browsers; firefox is on auto update, don't recall opera status. both (naturally) are set to minimum visibility/block pop ups, delete cookies/history on exit, etc.

each system has thunderbird as email and we are brutal about deleting mails from addresses we do not know (sadly, this is not a foolproof approach). wrt to emails, the first time we're included in large "public" mail distributions, we reply to the sender that if they include us in such mailings, we would like to be bcc'd... most folks are fine with this approach. if/when we're included in mass mailings again, we identify the mail as junk.

each win system has webroot installed and auto-runs searches each day. each system has norton and auto-runs each day.

finally, from time to time, i run "shields up" to see how visible i am to the outside world. (you may know "shields up", if not, you can test your own visiblity/vulnerability by visiting https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 - it takes <1 min and is an eye opener for most folks.

yesterday our new imac G5 was delivered and the first thing i did after firing it up was install firefox as the primary browser. it's our new web viewing terminal from now on

(except for things that don't yet have mac versions, like google earth/picasa, etc.

paranoia and proactive behavior go a long way in this environment

nuccaJB · 16 July 2005

Thanks for all the tips queenlives! You sound like fort knox with your set up. I will be making some changes this afternoon!

queenlives · 16 July 2005

nuccaJB said:
Thanks for all the tips queenlives! You sound like fort knox with your set up. I will be making some changes this afternoon!

you're quite welcome. i think our measures are "high amateur" level, it's quite likely there are other folks here who may well be bulletproof wrt internet security.

good luck, shields up

hal

Juice · 16 July 2005

queenlives said:
finally, from time to time, i run "shields up" to see how visible i am to the outside world. (you may know "shields up", if not, you can test your own visiblity/vulnerability by visiting https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2 - it takes <1 min and is an eye opener for most folks.

Ahhhhhh!!!! Holy crap, my eyes just opened!

Antivirus Gold spyware malware

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