Expert: Lorry - 4/30/2007

Question
Hi, my question is: could a virus delete previous Windows restore points? and if so, could you give me any tips that would help me identifying and eliminating it?

I've tried lots of different antivirus and only one managed to find an infected file (infected with Exploit.XPHelpDelete.A). The file was deleted by the antivirus but the computer is still behaving oddly. I imagine that the malware above might have installed other nasty things in the computer!

Many thanks for your help
Daniel

Answer
Hi Daniel,

A virus and/or spyware could erase restore points. The main thing is that no matter which antivirus program you have installed, update it once a week and then run a scan.

I would also suggest downloading Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4, a program that removes spyware, available from:

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp

Check for updates before running. If you have trouble getting the updates, near the top of the Update Window, click the little arrow next See-Cure  #1(Europe), highlight the next one on the list, See-Cure #2 and try to download the updates. If that doesn't work, try the next one the list. until you get one you can download from. Being a free program, if too many people are using the same site to download the updates, some people will not get them.

Hope this helps!
Lorry