Trojan Fears

[Korguth]

Hello all, i have a rather critical situation that i am not quite sure how to address. About 4 days ago, my laptop(windows vista premium) contracted some sort of virus disguised as a program called "desktop Defender". this "virus", if indeed a virus, would not allow me to access any of my system whatsoever, and upon shutting down and rebooting the laptop always appeared onscreen. The only thing i was able to do with my laptop was access task manager,..and even then it was only for about 10 seconds(approximately) before i was locked out alltogether and my system shut down on its own. Not knowing the implications of what i had contracted, and not being able to access my laptop regardless, i have since dissasembled the laptop and now my only usable computer is an outdated windows ME desktop, which i am currently using. However, on the 3rd of next month, when i get enough money to afford it, i am going to buy another laptop, but my main worry is that this same trojan, virus, or whatever it is will strike again,...and i simply cant have another computer destroyed by this...do any of you have any advice? Am i safe, or should i take some preventetive action now, and if so, then what? please, i am quite worried about this, and would appreciate any information that can be given.

[Hardist]

If this is what I think it is, you should re-install Vista entirely. This is a nasty virus and not easy to remove, I am talking from experience. The best and safest solution is by simply re-installing Vista.

Also, which anti virus measures did you take on your current notebook? You should probably buy yourself a copy of Norton Internet Security 2010, it's actually quite good and imo better than any of the free anti virus solutions out there.

If you did want to have a free anti virus, check the article below:

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[Korguth]

Thank you very much for your information. While i cannot do anything further with my current laptop, i shall certainly remember to install norton 2010 on the new one that i get. My main concern at the moment though is, that if whoever sent me this virus before, could end up sending it again just by simply having my IP adress, or any other information that would have been on my original laptop. I beleive that i am safe now ony because i am using an extremely outdated system, and theres not much of a prize there for a hacker to obtain from sending it a virus. However, i shun to think what would happen once i get online at my home with my new laptop, is it possible for the same people or whatever the case might be that sent me this virus before to be able to target me again even though  the laptop they originally hacked is completely out of commission?

[Hardist]

I personally do not believe someone simply hacked you and sent you a virus. It's normally not that simple, unless that person knows you personally and doesn't like you, and would go through the trouble of sending you a virus. You might have downloaded it from simply visiting a webpage, or by opening an e-mail, who knows, it's hard to tell. I wouldn't be too worried if I were you, and whatever Anti Virus program you will be getting, simply keep it updated all the time, and you should be fine.

[Karnac]

Korguth,

Follow the directions....http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html

You may have to transfer the programs to your PC via USB stick.

You probably will NOT need to reinstall your OS.

Post your required logs and a malware specialist will assist you.....disregard any other advice until a specialist reviews your logs.

[Korguth]

Alright, thank you very much for the information Hardist. It is quite releiving to know that this incident most likely will not be repeated. And this time i shall remember to get antivirus protection as well, because all i was using before was simply windows firewall in order to skip the charges required of antivirus software. However, after this incident it would seem quite prudent to get some sort of antivirus protection, i shall probably look into norton 2010 as you suggested.

[Hardist]

No worries, but remember, without any good Anti Virus program, you will always be risking to download a virus on your system, always have a proper Anti Virus program installed, and always make back-ups of important files!

Good luck with your new system btw

[harry 48]

Alright, thank you very much for the information Hardist. It is quite releiving to know that this incident most likely will not be repeated. And this time i shall remember to get antivirus protection as well, because all i was using before was simply windows firewall in order to skip the charges required of antivirus software. However, after this incident it would seem quite prudent to get some sort of antivirus protection, i shall probably look into norton 2010 as you suggested.

please do as karnac said and do not listen to any-one except a malware expert , you have recieved no help yet from any expert here