Expert: Lorry - 1/10/2009

Question
QUESTION: Lorry, my computer infected with Trojan virus.  I ran Norton intern security update, then full scan, but scan showed only 15000 files (usually about 60000).  There is a red banner on the Norton window: AT RISK and FIX NOW. Clicked on Fix now, got another window : Advanced Protection, after running 10-20 seconds i got another message:  FIX not completed, not fixed.    Please advise me what to do.
Thank you,
Tatyana.

ANSWER: Followup 1-7-2009

Hi Tatyana,

Not nowing which Trojan you got, is why I am suggesting that you run the free scan which is up to date. Whatever it finds, do a search at the following site for removal instructions:

http://searchg.symantec.com/search?site=symc_en_US&client=symc_en_US&output=xml_

Hope this helps!
Lorry

Hi Tatyana,

Did you check "Show hidden files and folders"?  Run the free scan from the Symantec site, not the Norton you have installed.

Check for viruses and/or spyware. Using Internet Explorer, go to:

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp

Click "Continue to Symantec Security Check", in the next window click No when asked if you want to close this window, that will bring you to a window where you should click Virus Detection.

Write down exactly anything it finds, then go to:

http://www.symantec.com/search/

and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for removing manually. Make sure that you follow the instructions for removal, step by step, especially the part regarding disabling System Restore.

You might want to download Spybot from:

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html

Check for updates before running a scan.

Hope this helps!
Lorry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Lorry, i run symantec security check, virus detection, and also run my installed Norton internet securities, now looks fine, all infected files removed.
I'd like to ask you if it is enough to have the only Norton Internet Security to keep my computer protected?

Thank you again,
Tatyana

Answer
Hi Tatyana,

Norton Internet Security should be enough to keep the computer protected. The main things to remember are keep it up to date and to run a scan once a week, both are equally important.

For an example, you got a virus, say the ABC virus this evening but Norton doesn't know about it until tomorrow morning when it updates - you do have NIS set to automatically update, correct?. Well, until you run a scan, NIS will not know that the ABC virus is on the computer, it will however keep future ABC viruses off the computer. The reason why you want to run a weekly scan, is so that if any viruses, or other threats get on the computer, they shouldn't do too much damage in a week's time.

Hope this helps!
Lorry