Question from sammy waterboot

How can you name a virus you have when u dont know what one it is ????

Reply from Devilin

Download a anti virus program, and it should identify any virus you have, most anti virus software allows you to save any information in a notepad format,

Question from dick

Hi I am a virgin at this sort of thing so please treat me gently, and dont get upset if this is a stupid question. I have noticed recently that when I close down outlook express a folder (188 kb) appears on my desktop. when i try to open it my xp computer says it doesnt know which program to use. However, I have experimented a bit and managed in excel to show some of what is inside it. It seems to be a list of my e-mail contacts. I have been infected by "mydoom" but used a norton removal tool. Is this a by product of the virus or is it some form of spyware trying to send out ? Any thoughts on how I should proceed. (file title is "~") but I dont think that has got anything to do with the price of fish ! I would quite like to use a spysweeper but dont think my skills are upto configuring it effectivvely. regards R

Reply from Devilin

Hi dick J "~" is an unknown file extension name ? , and the file probably is the result of the my doom, rather than spyware, but all you really want to know is what to do next,

This is a on demand anti virus scanner, which should take care of your problem quickly, I do hope you're running some real time anti virus software, if not, download some immediately,

Have fun J and don't hesitate in asking another question, I won't think its silly, ok I might but you'd never know from my replies

from dick

Thamx for the info. Your page is now firmly bookmarked.

Reply from Devilin

J and I finally got that address for Bitdefender, correct

Question from frog

avimgt.exe what is it? can i get rid of it? keeps showing up when i run norton scan as a virus

Reply from Devilin

It's a Trojan, the Norton help page isn't exactly easy to follow, but it should work

Question from cliff

i have a lot of porno files which seemed to download piggyback when i have downloaded something from kazaa, i have tried to delete them by uninstalling kazaa and all associated files and folders, but they just keep appearing. I have removed all programmes that i think may have something to do with this but as i said, all these bits keep coming back. i am a novice please help!!!!!

Reply from Devilin

Sounds like you haven't got a firewall, cliff, and you've probably got a Trojan, so download yourself a free firewall

Hunt down that Trojan using this free program below, and you should be fine

Question from Infected -- w.32Nachi worm -- HELP !

Hi, I had found the Nachi worm with STINGER, then it was removed? Then I had it again...then I did a recover, added MS patches ran Norton anti virus....guess what...? My systen is still jacked... It wont let me run the symantec removel tool...HELP HELP ! !

Reply from Devilin

Try these, if you can, if you can't, try getting a friend to download them, burn them onto a CD, as usable program ie, install path, D/BitDefender ,not zipped, so you run it from the CD,

Or

Question from Lori

Hi, would you happen to know why my computer that is running on windows 98 would suddenly stop running windows 98 and always asks me to insert 98 boot disc? when I insert the disc (floppy) nothing happens, it has been running fine for several months before-hand I have a appt with the repair man fri, but I wondered if you would have a oppinion before I take it there....I like your advice a lot....Thanks Lori....(whatever)

Reply from Devilin

Without more information, its a guess, if Windows is asking for a boot disk, you'll need to re install Windows itself, it could be a bad sector in your hard drive, or a virus, or a hardware malfunction, ?

Question from Angel

Anti-virus ok i have a pc-cillin and its working pretty fine its a anti virus system it cathes viruses before they are able to cause any harm but now i have this really tough virus which i am finding is really hard to get rid of its called troj_ifeatu im sorta afraid to shut my computer down via it started acting up when i turn it back on my pc-cillin keeps popoing up messages saying it caught the virus everytime i close the info box another shows up like the virus won't go away what do i do?

Reply from Devilin

troj_ifeatu doesn't appear on any of the databases I've check.have you spelled it correctly?. pc-cillin is a extremely good anti virus program.with an incredibly high detection rate.although I wouldn't recommend it.as it does tend to become over zealous.and can lead to slow system performance.and system crashes.if you're still receiving updates.keep it.if not dump it for one of the free one's from this site.without finding a specific reference to your Trojan.I can only recommend the usual programs.which shouldn't interfere with pc-cillin

Question from Aidi

ive got a problem with my computer... when i want to got into my antivirus, it says "symantec Integrater has encouteres a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" i cant configure or check my antivirus process... please help...

Reply from Devilin

Good old Norton anti virus.I suggest you switch to a free anti virus product.as they soon as ask for re subscription.

Possible solutions re install Norton.-----------------download bitDefender and check for viruses.that may have damaged Norton.-------------get rid of Norton.and use avg

when i click on Internet explorer, it doesnt go to my intended website.. it goes to an unknown search engine and there's always a advertisements of how to delete these spyware and another advertisement saying that i have 6 spyware in my computer... this is even though i hav installed an anti-spyware software.. it didn't detect any spyware... plsz help me....

Reply from Devilin

He's how to deal with the unwanted page hijacking

And don't believe a word of any page.that says they've detected spyware on your system . it's just a trick to get you buy some useless anti spyware program use spybot and Adware free programs.and all will be well :-)

Question from Aidi

I have down loaded or should I say updated my norton antivirus to 2005. I have done this for the last few years without any problems. On downloading 2005 and installing it, once installed the computer does nothing!!!! I have tried to reinstall, but at the end of installation it appears to be loading then stops. I have been told that this could be due to having 2004 still on the computer or having a virus. I downloaded bidefender which did not detect any viruses and I have deleted 2004. Can you help???

Reply from Devilin

No.not with Norton.I've only had limited experience with it.I tested it against a bunch of viruses on my system.which it failed to detect about 40% of them.I wouldn't recommend Norton to anybody. Norton is one of the most recognized.and popular anti virus programs.there attractive 25% commission.might play some considerable role in its reviews.and popularity..I only recommend free anti virus programs.without commission.I've tested lots of commercial.and free programs. I'd recommend dumping Norton..which I consider.not very effective.and very troublesome..in favor of avg grisoft..free

There pay for vision is slightly better ( same basic engine..with a few security enhancements ).especially their bundle package with keroi friewall...which is security over kill.. but makes you extremely safe .if you can afford it ;-)

Question from Ramsay

I think you offer a very useful service by reporting real experiences with the rash of spyware removal scams out there. I feel that companies using false positives, scan free/pay to remove or downright scams should be your marketing focus. Kind of like the the 'Consumer Reports' of spyware. The 2 ultimate champs have to be wareout.exe (from our friends at coolsearch) and 180search (operating as pctools.exe. The wareout.exe has a phishing site that is identical to Microsoft's KB site and the icon in the tray is a dead ringer for the security center shield icon that pops up warnings in XP if you turn off the windows firewall. Amazing amount of work went into that whole system. CWcoolshreader does nothing to wareout since trend micro bought the program or the russians that run it have got their bug to disable it effectively. As for the antivirus software it would be great if you could include information about how many of them take over your system, hog ram, slowing downloads because of virus checking and foisting on the user more popup alerts and menus that it is almost worth keeping the spyware. At least the rouge software is silent and while hogging your system is somewhat stealthy. I have tried many free antivirus programs and most are worthless in detection, elimination, having a small footprint or cutomizing unless paid for. Norton is the worst taking almost 45mg of RAM regardless of the sustem total when you add up the various "nav" + "cc" components it layers in to hide the fact that so bloated and useless. DSOexploit (a MSFT dll) and Webtrends (AOL) being its favorite false positives. If you answer on antivirus page I will try to send you a couple of antivirus free software reviews. PS - most of the magic links were dead today 9/25/2005

Reply from Devilin

It's not a service Ramsay.it's a hobby that's developed a life of its own.I never intended any of this to happen. an entire web site more than 60 pages. this wasn't supposed to happen. but here it is.........it is time consuming.frustrating at times.and some times I need to step away when my enthusiasm is exhausted.but I'll always return.because it's the right thing to do.I'm currently running through the pages.and updating as necessary.the magic page should be amended while your reading this.thanks for the nudge.. the rash of supposedly anti spyware programs.is enormous.but there's more than just me covering these programs.I'll update my page to include this link.

I'll check out those exe's during the week.again thanks. anti virus.unfortunately I've lost my collection of viruses in an unfortunate accident.which I use to test these programs.I've begun starting a new collection..with the anti virus.it's a balancing act of footprint vs.System resources. if the balance isn't right.well you know what happens. avg & AntiVir were the only free programs I found with a decent detection rate.and a system friendly attitude.most of the commercial programs I found to be overly aggressive.some causing system crashes.Panda Norton and PC-cillin I found to be the worst .I'll start checking again once I've done the pages.and got myself some more worms and viruses safely dotted about my system any reviews or information are always welcome :-)