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Another Virus! %#^*!

6K views 32 replies 18 participants last post by  johnro6659 
#1 ·
Looks like I'm into another couple hundred bucks to get rid of a computer virus that my McAfee and Malwarebytes failed to block! :frusty: This particular PC is only used to pay bills and view financial info. I recently started getting pop-ups and getting redirected to websites trying to sell me PC software fixes and virus protection along with warnings from McAfee to NOT GO THERE...

Well, when I got to the message below, I called the number and talked to a tech that basically said I was screwed. My options were to do a "one time removal" and "system tune-up" ... He sounded like he was talking from a switchboard and sounded legit but before I agreed to anything I decided to hang up and check out the info... Couldn't verify the number or the company "Eraser Tech Support" that he was calling from...

At this point I don't trust anyone but my personal tech guy in the neighborhood... So I unplugged everything and hauled it over to his place...
 
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#4 ·
I know... Not only did I call but I may have compromised my entire home network by giving him access to my desktop for a few minutes. :frusty::frusty::frusty:

I was watching him manipulate the mouse but all he did was check out my system efficiency... Then I realized I had a pass protected word file with all my passwords on it open but minimized so I took over the mouse to click it closed... That's when I told him I needed to close something out with sensitive information on it and got spooked so I closed everything out. I really hope this will not come back to haunt me. IDIOT!!! :be polite:
 
#7 ·
Stick to flying planes. :D

Any techno nerd can clean your system but it's unfortunate you gave him access. I would monitor your credit and be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.
Well I just googled the company info he game me because I at least asked that!
I initially had the spelling wrong and couldn't find it...

"E-Racer Tech Support" he also gave me the contact number and name so for whatever it's worth it is a legitimate company located in Boynton Beach Fl...

What was not legit is the spyware message that was prompting me to download anti spyware... Plus all the other pop ups... Some apparently from McAfee and some not... :mad:

I will be monitoring my accounts frequently! To add to the frustration , my wife loves to shop at Target and until recently always used her debit card there! JUST SHOOT ME!:puke:
 
#13 ·
OMG...you have created a thread for What Not To Do
 
#14 ·
I know... I know... Well so far so good... I've stayed up late and changed all passwords related to anything financial... Banks, credit cards, eBay PayPal etc... Everything is still intact. I may have just lucked out...:rolleyes:
 
#16 ·
You know, saying buy a Mac always sounds really snotty to Windows users, and especially to people who generally won't spend over $500 for a laptop, but I couldn't tell you the last time I have experienced a piece of malware on my personal computers (all running Mac OSX or some variation of Linux).

Having a Windows PC does make you a huge target for malware.

Good luck man, I hope this just ended up being a harmless learning experience for you.
 
#17 ·
Thanks for the input guys...

I usually use my iPad for browsing but sooner or later I'm sure there will be security issues for all Mac devices as well. It's the era we live in, where we depend on the Internet and everything is being stored online or on your devices which just makes you more of a target for hackers, spammers and everything in between... It's not a matter of "if" your secure information will ever be stolen, just a matter of "when." :(
 
#18 ·
Mac already gets attacks. The only reason they didn't for so long is because hackers didn't see the potential numbers of infected systems to be worth their time.
Market share is shifting and with it, the number of problems with Macs.
I'm a PC user and can count on one hand, the number of viruses I've gotten over the years. My online computing goes back to the mid 90's. Xerox machines running netscape navigator on dial-up. Now I build my own systems.
Avoiding viruses is all about a good firewall and safe practises. Many computer experts don't even have anti virus software installed.
 
#20 ·
You may want to consider using a Chromebook for secure transactions. While Chromebooks are designed more for web browsing than computing capability, they have the advantage of operating with only web based apps, thus no software that can get infected with viruses. Though Macs are less vulnerable to viruses than Microsoft OS computers, they are hardly immune. With a Chromebook, there are no AV or firewall programs to contend with, so the only security concerns to worry about are phishing attempts. With minimal on board memory (most of your data can be stored on thumb drives, sd cards, or cloud based storage like Google Drive), it's very responsive with nearly no boot up time.
 
#21 ·
Looks like a typical browser hijacker. I used to get those all the time when I used IE. Most of the time I would hit Control Alt Delete get the Task manager and close the browser. Then I would run my anti virus and malware program. Usually it would give the boot to the hijacker. If not I would clean out the cache, temp internet files etc. Now that I run Firefox and avast I haven't gotten any viruses at all. I also have Advanced System Care, Malwarebytes, Slim Cleaner, Wise 365, System Mechanic and a couple other installed on my PC and Lap Top I run once a week to clean out anything the other didn't find.. When I did get those pesky browser hijackers I would copy the URL and write the phone number down and report it to the FCC.
 
#22 ·
I run Avast and Malwarebytes on the other 2 laptops in the house running Windows 7 and haven't had any issues with those... I'm giving McAffe the boot on the infected desktop PC tho... Probably my fault for keeping that PC off for weeks at a time then going online without giving it a chance to update... I'll be more careful in the future...
 
#23 ·
I want to point out also that the built in virus protection and firewall in Windows Vista and up typically outperforms most extra "paid-for" virus software. keep that updated and let it do its job.

Also, stop using Internet Explorer. That is where most malware gets its foot in the door on Windows PC's. Use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc... Anything but IE.
 
#26 ·
Dont really have any tech advise for ya,( Im not one), but best of luck to you. I run a free anti-virus, a free Windows/Internet Explorer cleaner,( and use it almost daily), a free spy/malware cleaner, and the windows firewall. I probably have been lucky but I have never had a problem.
 
#27 ·
Avast Free is really good. It includes a real time antivirus that monitors for popups and infected jpg files. Also it includes a boot at startup feature that checks for viruses before you start windows.

If you already have an infections
Run Windows in Safe mode (Press F8 at startup) Then run the antivirus already on your computer.

If that doesn't work try a Antivirus program LIVE CD. Download one of these http://www.livecdlist.com/purpose/windows-antivirus then burn it to cd. Then put the cd in the infected computer and it should boot to the live cd antivirus program. (You may have to change Bios to boot to CD if it doesn't do it automatically http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/bootorderchange.htm

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/ is also helpful.

Combofix is my last resort program I use. But you should ask at bleeping computer before since it can also messed up your computer if you don't know what your doing.
 
#28 ·
Thanks for all the tips guys... Got the PC professionally cleaned up with everything reinstalled including Avast and Malwarebytes... No longer running McAfee. It took a couple days to get all the Windows updates installed since Windows 7 came out but it's all up to date now and purring like a kitten.:)

So far no negatives about the software company that my original virus led me to... That was just weird!
 
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#29 ·
Thanks for all the tips guys... Got the PC professionally cleaned up with everything reinstalled including Avast and Malwarebytes... No longer running McAfee. It took a couple days to get all the Windows updates installed since Windows 7 came out but it's all up to date now and purring like a kitten.:)



So far no negatives about the software company that my original virus led me to... That was just weird!

I thought I mentioned earlier that I had a problem with McAfee. It had all the current updates and still let a few bugs into my computer bro. Sorry if I didn't. It was a complete pain in the ass getting it all cleaned up and back to normal. After that happened I read a lot of info and reviews on anti-virus software and ended up settling with Eset NOD32. I haven't had a problem since, and that's been over two years now. I'm glad you were able get yours all sanitized and up and running trouble free again. I've never understood the mindset of the little bastards that create those viruses. They don't even get to see the results of their handiwork. Very strange. Good luck.
 
#31 ·
It's nice you got everything running again. Keep up on the updates for the anti virus programs. I have used McAffe and Norton paid subscriptions and have many breaks in security. IMO they are junk. I use Avast's free virus program on all my stuff and havn't had an issue at all. I also run Malwarebytes free version and it works great too. Being so paranoid about security since I was hit big I use a ton of other cleaners as well. I also run Spybot every now and then but it never seems to find any problems. I got that one hit a while ago and since I am extra, extra careful. I also use Avast Mobile on my smartphone. Another thing I do is any and all downloads go on an external slave drive. I only keep necessary programming on the main drive this way if I have to I can reformat the disc and reinstall the OS without loosing anything important.


No matter what operating system you use Windows or Apple you can be hit with a virus. I say install Avast! I spent the best part of a day trying to get my friend Sara's Mac Book cleaned out. I installed Avast for Mac and it found quit a bit of problems, so don't be fooled by the Myth Apples don't get viruses!! And it seems to be getting more common.
 
#33 ·
Sorry I couln't edit my last post!


Never, ever, ever
call the number they put up on those screens, they are the ones who placed the virus in your PC in the first place!!!! It's a scam to get you to pay them to remove something most people can do themselves!!!!. Half the time there is no real virus only maleware/spyware. Either someone sent you that in an email or you went on a web page that downloaded it. I haven't got any of those in years but when I did, I got rid of them myself. I would start my PC up in safe mode and make some searches usually they are in the Temp Internet files and with a quick clean they are gone. I would copy the info and then do a file search with the info on the file to see if there is anything in the PC with the same name if I found it I would delete it. Since I started using Avast I don't get this stuff I refuse to pay for McAfee or Norton AV both IMO suck big time. I do run Malwarebytes but you have to update the data base everyday. I do mine manually I do not rely on the auto update. As far as Apple goes there are Virus programs out there and because a lot of people are fooled into believing Apple doesn't get viruses they never bother adding protection to their Macs. More of my friends had their personal info stolen that run Macs than people who have PCs. I know because I'm the one they call when they have computer problems. It's amazing what you find in there! I always ask are you on porn sites they say no but the history and temp files do not lie! 80% of the time that is where a virus gets in the rest is usually opening an Email from a friend that got hacked. IMO especially these days you can't be too careful. I run several different programs to clean and remove anything that is not necessary a couple different malware and spybot programs. I run them every day twice a day. I constantly clean out my history and temp internet files.
 
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