Expert: James Filmer - 9/27/2010

Question
QUESTION: a virus name - "Backdoor.Win32.Rbot.acky" and "Net-
Worm.Win32.Kido.ih" is being like spread in my pc
everywhere.. i have used most of the famous antivirus
software but this virus is not eliminated.... Im currently
using "ZONE ALARM EXTREME SECURITY" it always detects this
virus in every few minutes and quaritine it...but it is not
completely eliminated.

What kind of virus is this?..how much threat does it do?
what are its harmful effects?

can you please suggest me something to get rid of this
virus...its would be great help!

ANSWER: Have you ever had Kapersky, Norton or some other anti-virus application running on your system, even for a short time?

Do you have the most recent critical Windows security updates installed successfully on your system?

Have you run the latest updated Zone Alarm anti-virus (w/most recent updates) scan with System Restore disabled?

Looks like Zone Alarm's Anti virus is a new edition. They specialized in Firewall protection, so their AV might not be as aggressive and some other AV apps.

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

QUESTION: I had already used Kapersky 2010 for a long time before. But when i was using it, it hardly helped. I have also used bit defender and dont prefer norton as i used it long time back and it was not at all worth in compared to kaspersky or bitdefender. I had tried Avast and couple of other few anivirus, but my system is i dont know junked up with like backdoor trojons or god sake i dont know. Im just sick of these viruses exploding everyday in my pc.

I know zone alarm is specialized firewall, but i recently saw its new anti virus and extreme security features, and i tried it, and it is the only internet security which has worth given help in detecting backdoor trojans.

But its like it not able to completely elimated it from my hard disk which is like 400 GB and having 5-6 partition. Windows in installed in my C drive. Im using Window Xp and i have already formatted my c drve a lot of times. Scanned my pc completely a lot of times.

I cant format my hard disk completely as it contains a lot of important work and i cant take backup for that. So i was looking for a solution to eliminate these viruses completely.

so can you help me in doing that?

I update my antivirus everyday!..i have all window updates availabe.  

Answer
One of those viruses has to do with Kapersky not completely off your system. Also, Norton, BitDefender and Avast and whatever else you tried could all still be on your system, the conflict manipulating how your current AV is scanning and removing detections -
especially with the ZA "Suite" involved

http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?qid=208279463

http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.jsp?wv_type=public_web&docurl=200807101

http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

Check if there are removal tools for the others.

When you use each tool, reboot before going to the next one.

The thing is, I could make you system very hard security wise, but I can only give so much info here. I'm very careful about recommendations. I don't like to see users make mistakes with limited coaching.

You should also use Spybot S&D, and one or more of the following:

Malwarebytes, Windows Defender, SuperAntispyware, Emisoft Anti Malware - links all on Enrgy21.com. There are more, but make sure they're at least in the top 12-15 so you don't get a rogue application. Check reviews if necessary.

After you done the above, and run Zone Alarm again (System Restore disabled for this), let me know if the viruses have been detected and removed permanently.

Do you use a temp file cleaner, and a registry cleaner (like CCleaner)?  You should, but use it after you done the above. Again, I'm not recommending CCleaner (enrgy21.com/tools) - there are several others too - About.com, techsupportalert.com, ask-Leo and other links on Enrgy21.com have done detailed independent reviews of the best for personal computer users.