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Author Topic: strange icon  (Read 4324 times)

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pyager

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strange icon
« on: September 12, 2007, 11:12:05 AM »
Some ware along the line I picked up an item that resides next to my clock in the bottom bar of my system [Windows XP]. It is a red shield with an X that changes to a blue shield with a [?]. A left mouse click opens your website. A right mouse click does nothing. Periodically this icon will generate a ‘System Alert’ balloon telling me my system is under attack. It also interferes with my eireless keyboard, mouse and ties up my system briefly. I don’t seem to be able to remove it. It has become very annoying. Please help.

Calum

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Re: strange icon
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2007, 11:17:39 AM »
This is a virus or similar malware problem.
Grab Hijackthis and post a log as well as what protection you have, and I'll move this to the virus section.
I have cleaned a PC with something similar before, but our virus experts will no doubt have an easier and more thorough method.

contrex

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Re: strange icon
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2007, 11:20:56 AM »
does it look like this?



If it does, it is the icon of the Windows Security Center. Try hovering your mouse cursor over it, and see if a tooltip appears. You can click on it and open the Windows Security Center and configure various settings.

If the above does not happen, what happens when you right click the icon?

pyager

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Re: strange icon
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2007, 11:47:48 AM »
looks similar but changes color. the website that opens is VirusProtect Pro

contrex

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Re: strange icon
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2007, 11:55:22 AM »
It's a Zlob infection. Zlob Trojans masquerade as video or audio codecs required to view a movie or listen to a audio file. In reality, though, these Trojans instead install VirusProtectPro as well as other malware on to your computer without permission.

When the Zlob Trojan is launched on your computer, it will automatically download and install VirusProtect Pro. When VirusProtectPro has finished downloading and is installed, it will automatically launch and start a scan of your computer. This scan will provide exaggerated or false results and state that the only way to clean these "infections" is to purchase the commercial version of the software. They do this purely as a way to scare you into purchasing the full commercial version of their software. Needless to say, you should not purchase VirusProtectPro.

Another byproduct of the Zlob Trojans are that you will see fake security alerts in your Windows taskbar saying there is a problem with your computer or that you are infected. Once again these alerts are false and are only being used as a scare tactic. When you click on the alert, it will automatically launch VirusProtectPro and do a scan.

Removal tools here

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic98219.html






pyager

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Re: strange icon
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2007, 04:30:12 PM »
It worked great!! Even a senior citizen with little experience did it. THANK you.
paul

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Re: strange icon
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2007, 05:57:34 AM »
As this issue appears to be resolved, I am closing this topic.  If you are the original poster and you would like this topic to be re-opened for any reason, PM me or another moderator and it can be arranged.

If you are not the original poster and you require help, please start a New Topic with information about your computer and your problem.
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