Expert: James Filmer - 11/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: Last year I spent $300 to clean-up my computer because of a virus.  It has happened again, but different, full screen pop-ups; when I run my antivirus program it tells me I have a xxxtrojanxxx, and I cannot delete it. I was told to get a "really good" anti-virus program, and it should take care of the problem.  Will it?  Also, when I turn on my computer two boxes apprear; first, logon.exe.? and under that anouth instruction about going to start, and the rest I don't uderstand.  Will a anti-virus take care of this?  

Thank you - karen

ANSWER: Hi Karen,

In answer to your question "Will a anti-virus take care of this?", it might. But, first I need to know a few things:

What antivirus program did you have now that detected xxxtrojanxxx?

Is xxxtro...the exact name of the trojan/virus detected?

Do you have an antispyware program? (Spybot Search & Destroy, SuperAntispyware, Malwarebytes, a-squared, Windows Defender, Lavasoft Ad-Aware or Spy Sweeper for example.)

What's your system?

What Firewall are you using?

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your response James. In answer to your questions: I have a Dell Dimension running Windows XP (2002) with service pack 3. I am currently running AVG free version 8.5 and AVG's free rootkit program and SUPERantispyware free edition.
Thanks again!
Karen

Answer
Karen,

I believe your core problem is logon.exe. I'm a little surprised that Superantispyware didn't remove it, but no one program detects and removes everything. Install Malwarebtyes (link on Enrgy21.com's home page) and run a full system scan after updating, reboot and run a second scan/remove.

It should remove the logon.exe virus. I hope you have a Firewall, at least Windows. I asked because if you don't, you'll continue to get malware like logon.exe. Also, AVG is excellent and I'd continue to use Superantispyware. Also, check often to make sure you have the most recent available Windows critical security updates.

You didn't tell me about xxxtrojanxxx- if that's the full, exact description/name. Haven't been able to associate it with anything but a game. If you have more info, please let me know. And, let me know what happens after the Malwarebytes scan.