Expert: Lorry - 2/17/2006

Question
Hi there!
I just logged onto my msn messenger this evening when a friend sent me a message that said somethign like:

"Hey is this you? "http://www.imstuff.us/profile.php?msn=mira.kim@hotmail.com"

"" indicates the link.
i clicked on it and ran the program when a popup window came up. i had just assumed it was something to do with msn, hotmail and the profiles.

unfortunately, i'm pretty sure it is a virus/worm and just need some help trying to remove it! it seems to be blocking my access to websites such as symantec.com and other virus help sites. this prevents my norton antivirus from working properly because it isn't receiving the life update from symantec.

i am using windows xp.

thank you so much and i hope to hear from you soon!

-Mira

Answer
Hi Mira,

Using Internet Explorer, go to:

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Click the GO button, then under Virus Detection, click Start. You might be told that you need to download and install ActiveX Controls for the scan to work, answer Yes.

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.

I also would 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

Once installed, enable Tea Timer. Open the Spybot Search & Destroy, click  the "+" sign next to Tools on the left side of the screen, click System Startup, then on the right side of the page check HK_CU Run Spybot Tea Timer.

The Resident TeaTimer is a new tool of Spybot-S&D which perpetually monitors the processes called/initiated. It immediately detects known malicious processes wanting to start and terminates them giving you some options, how to deal with this process in the future.

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