computer questions

GateandGarden · #1 07-29-2005, 10:34 AM

I currently have a trojan horse on my computer. I'm not at home; I'm at a computer somewhere else. My computer at home is off because I've been told that the virus can't do anything if I have the computer turned off. There's so much I don't understand about this and I was thinking some or many of you might have some or all of the answers.

First of all, I don't understand how I got this thing. I was told by the people from whom I bought the computer that I must've downloaded it from somewhere. Recently I've downloaded Quintessential CD player, but I thought that program was legit. (?) Of course I've also downloaded from various FM sites that I've gotten access to from throwndown.net. I didn't think there was anything wrong with that. What are the chances that one of those fan sites would have a trojan horse?

Why didn't Norton Antivirus stop it from infecting my computer? I'm kind of wondering what the purpose is of paying 60 dollars for Norton Antivirus if this still happens.

What is the purpose of a trojan horse? What is the person who put on my computer getting out of it? Can this cause identity theft? Is someone looking at my photos of Linda Blair naked?

JazmenFlowers · #2 07-29-2005, 11:11 AM

I'm very sorry to hear this has happened to you. I have had nothing but computer problems for like 2 years. My Dell got completely screwed with all kinds of Trojans and Spam and crap and it finally died. So, I got an Apple...well, let's just say I haven't had a computer for a week because it's been in the shop. Apparently, I had the misfortune of buying one with a bad hard drive. I'm hoping and praying I haven't lost the 5000+ songs on my iTunes and all my Vegas and Stevie pics. So, I feel your pain. I wish I could offer some suggestions.

GateandGarden · #3 07-29-2005, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

I'm very sorry to hear this has happened to you. I have had nothing but computer problems for like 2 years. My Dell got completely screwed with all kinds of Trojans and Spam and crap and it finally died. So, I got an Apple...well, let's just say I haven't had a computer for a week because it's been in the shop. Apparently, I had the misfortune of buying one with a bad hard drive. I'm hoping and praying I haven't lost the 5000+ songs on my iTunes and all my Vegas and Stevie pics. So, I feel your pain. I wish I could offer some suggestions.

I'm so sorry that happened to you and so sorry that you've had such bad luck with computers. The last one I had just quit for no reason, it seems. It was never really explained. The one I have right now has been okay until now. I've managed to back up all the files that are important to me so I can rest eaiser, but if this thing gets screwed up, it'll still cost money for another one, obviously. It's kind of a bitch anyway. I understand if you don't have any suggestions, since I really don't understand this stuff, either. I hope that you haven't lost anything that's important to you and that you get yours back from the shop okay.

macfan 57 · #4 07-29-2005, 11:22 AM

Hillary, I'm not really any sort of expert but isn't a trojan horse spyware? I don't think it's a virus. That might be why Norton's antivirus didn't remove it.

littlecricket2 · #5 07-29-2005, 11:27 AM

Hey Hillary,

Maybe you could download some anti-spyware or adware software to try to get rid of that. There's a program called AdAware that's supposed to go to town on adware/spyware. I downloaded it once for free. Just do a Google search for "spyware removal" or something, and some free, reputable downloads should pop up.

JazmenFlowers · #6 07-29-2005, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I'm so sorry that happened to you and so sorry that you've had such bad luck with computers. The last one I had just quit for no reason, it seems. It was never really explained. The one I have right now has been okay until now. I've managed to back up all the files that are important to me so I can rest eaiser, but if this thing gets screwed up, it'll still cost money for another one, obviously. It's kind of a bitch anyway. I understand if you don't have any suggestions, since I really don't understand this stuff, either. I hope that you haven't lost anything that's important to you and that you get yours back from the shop okay.

thanks. it sucks because I was just about to buy an external hard drive. Apple is replacing the hard drive for free, obviously, but to get back my data I have to pay for - it's like $200, but it's worth it. and I swear I will back up my stuff from now on. lord, I hope my computer troubles are almost over - I just can't take it NO MO

DrummerDeanna · #7 07-29-2005, 11:36 AM

Yeah - a guy here at work got a Trojan Horse on his computer - it didnt' take too long for our IT gut to get it back up and running.

Sadly, though I have no advice for you as I don't really understand these things either.

Hope however did this isn't getting cheap thrills from you naked Linda Blair photos

GateandGarden · #8 07-29-2005, 11:42 AM

Thanks Lisa and Mary Anne. Norton Antivirus said that it is a virus, and the guy I from the computer place who I talked to on the phone confirmed that. So, the spyware programs couldn't do anything with it, unfortunately. I have the latest versions of Ad-aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Microsoft Anti-Spyware, but this thing is worse than anything they know what to do with. I think I'm going to have to go into the registry and delete it manually, though the instructions Norton Antivirus gave me on how to do that are confusing, so I'll probably be on the phone with the computer guy simultaneously (not the one from "Saturday Night Live," hopefully

).

Jason, I hope your computer troubles are over.

Deanna, thanks for saying that someone at work had it and took care of it quickly; that's comforting. Maybe whenever I get to go home today I can just get on there (and the phone) and take care of it.

Thanks for the responses, y'all.

SuzeQuze · #9 07-29-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I currently have a trojan horse on my computer. I'm not at home; I'm at a computer somewhere else. My computer at home is off because I've been told that the virus can't do anything if I have the computer turned off. There's so much I don't understand about this and I was thinking some or many of you might have some or all of the answers.

Sorry this happened to you, those things are horrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

First of all, I don't understand how I got this thing. I was told by the people from whom I bought the computer that I must've downloaded it from somewhere. Recently I've downloaded Quintessential CD player, but I thought that program was legit. (?) Of course I've also downloaded from various FM sites that I've gotten access to from throwndown.net. I didn't think there was anything wrong with that. What are the chances that one of those fan sites would have a trojan horse?

Unfortunately you can get these now just from visiting a Web site, so be very choosey about where you surf. I'm sure you didn't do anything wrong, these things are so prevalent now it sucks. I doubt it was from one of the fan sites, I don't know about that Q CD company, not familiar with them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

Why didn't Norton Antivirus stop it from infecting my computer? I'm kind of wondering what the purpose is of paying 60 dollars for Norton Antivirus if this still happens.

Well, if your Norton was up to date then it did not yet have a "cure" for this virus. They have to come up with these fixes after the virus comes out. So when someone creates a new viurs there's a period of time where your computer is vulnerable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

What is the purpose of a trojan horse? What is the person who put on my computer getting out of it? Can this cause identity theft? Is someone looking at my photos of Linda Blair naked?

Yes, somebody could be tracking the keys you type on your keyboard and thus get credit card numbers, passwords, etc. Don't do anything like that online until you get it cleaned up.

First, download AdAware and Spybot and search for spyware and kill it. If you have trouble getting rid of it check your processes by clicking Ctrl+Alt+Delete and click the Processes tab. Look for any strange names. Do a Google search on these. If they are a virus you will likely find instructions on how to get rid of them.

Everything you need to know to get rid of this can be found on Google. It will just take patience and perseverance. I hope you're able to get rid of this! I've gotten rid of 2 successfully before. One by reinstalling my operating system and one by checking the .exe's out online and killing the bad ones. Good luck!

GateandGarden · #10 07-29-2005, 12:19 PM

Thanks for all that info, Suze.

StevieNicksEO17 · #11 07-29-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macfan 57

Hillary, I'm not really any sort of expert but isn't a trojan horse spyware? I don't think it's a virus. That might be why Norton's antivirus didn't remove it.

Yeah, I always find stuff on my computer that Norton didn't find. It's really annoying...

I have a thing called Microsoft AntiSpyware, and then my friend told me to download another thing called Spyboy - Search and Destroy which works really well. If you want to get something new, go to www.download.com and type in antispyware or something. I am always finding stuff that Norton missed.

I know that if you go to sites to find lyrics to songs that puts lots of **** on your computer. Those are the worst! Of course, I found that out the hard way... Also, if you click on like the ads at the tops of pages, like "shoot the monkey" and **** like that, it's really bad also.

Not sure if any of this helped, but I tried. I hope you'll clean it up!

Dark Angel · #12 07-29-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I currently have a trojan horse on my computer. I'm not at home; I'm at a computer somewhere else. My computer at home is off because I've been told that the virus can't do anything if I have the computer turned off. There's so much I don't understand about this and I was thinking some or many of you might have some or all of the answers.

First of all, I don't understand how I got this thing. I was told by the people from whom I bought the computer that I must've downloaded it from somewhere. Recently I've downloaded Quintessential CD player, but I thought that program was legit. (?) Of course I've also downloaded from various FM sites that I've gotten access to from throwndown.net. I didn't think there was anything wrong with that. What are the chances that one of those fan sites would have a trojan horse?

Why didn't Norton Antivirus stop it from infecting my computer? I'm kind of wondering what the purpose is of paying 60 dollars for Norton Antivirus if this still happens.

What is the purpose of a trojan horse? What is the person who put on my computer getting out of it? Can this cause identity theft? Is someone looking at my photos of Linda Blair naked?

A trojan is a virus that got in your computer through what is known as a backdoor. There are sites out there that contain these, where you can get them without downloading anything, though I have yet to see any Stevie/FM sites with them.
I quit using Norton a long time ago, because it's not the best AV software available, imo. If it didn't catch it, my guess is it's not running in real-time, or the virus definitions weren't up to date.
As for identity theft, it would honestly depend on the virus.
Your best bet would be to run your Norton updates, then run a complete virus scan on the system. It's been quite awhile since I've used Norton, but it *should* be able to remove the virus. If not, when/if Norton finds it, it will give you the name of the virus. From there you can go to www.symantec.com , and find a way to remove the virus manually. If you need any help, feel free to PM me or IM me at AngelSara7 on AIM.

WELSH WITCH · #13 07-29-2005, 12:43 PM

Trojan Horses are a pain, I had a couple but was able to remove them with the help of my antivirus programme.
It could be that it's a new Trojan and Norton just doesn't know about it yet. If you don't trust your antivirus programme any more try AVG 7.0 at Grisoft.com. There's a free version that's really good.
I wouldn't do anything to your registry if you are not sure what you are doing, you can damage your computer.

Usually when you run your antivirus programme it will find the virus even when it hasn't warned you. Most of the time their website has removaltools so you can get rid of it.
Calling the helpdesk was a good move too.

Hope you get rid of it soon.

trackaghost · #14 07-29-2005, 12:48 PM

Yep, trojan is a virus because it's spyware that illegally roots itself on your computer. They are really annoying, slowing up your computer, allowing all manner of pop ups, taking you to pages you don't want to go and tracking all your movements on the internet.

Hilary I'd advise you to do a system restore if you can. Choose about a month ago. This will mean you lose any downloaded programs you've added to your computer but all documents, MP3s, naked pictures of Linda Blair should be fine. That's how I've ridded myself of nasty trojan invaders in the past and it's always worked, nice and simple.

dudden22 · #15 07-29-2005, 01:12 PM

I have had a trojan horse also. The only way I was able to get rid of it was through a program called solo anti-virus. You can download a 30 day free trial. Ad-Aware did not work for me, but Solo worked great. Here is the link.
http://www.srnmicro.com/ Just click on downloads.

Good luck.

On edit: As someone else mentioned A system restore is a great option also.