Expert: Lorry - 4/9/2009

Question
I’ve just been infected with a computer virus and I don’t know how to repair, or if I can repair.

Hi, I’m studying computer programming and last week I was visiting some C# sites looking for code examples and interesting articles, and I got infected with a computer virus.

The first sign was my browser suddenly got real small and when I moved my mouse over it the browser window jumped to another part of the screen.

The next time I booted up, I couldn’t see my files. But I could see the upper level directories and the properties of the drive showed that there was space occupied by the files.

Now I can’t even see the drive. It’s a 500 GB external hard drive (USB 2.0). When I plug it in, I get an audible noise suggesting the OS sees it, but it doesn’t show in “My Computer” and I can’t change to it using the DOS command.

Can you give me a idea of what I’m up against, and possibly point me some where?

OS = Windows XP
Virus scanner = AVG, yes it was current, but it doesn’t (didn’t) see anything during the scan

Thanks for any help, Bob K

Answer
Hi Bob,

If you can, open Internet Explorer and 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.

If you cannot open Internet Explorer, using a different computer, download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.36, put it on a CD, then install and run on your computer.

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html

Hope this helps!
Lorry