Comments on: The "Art" of Malware Removal http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/ Tech experts answer your questions Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:19:13 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Blair http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3651 Blair Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:54:02 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3651 @ Linda & davey8800, the purpose of this article is simply to showcase challenges faced by malware removal staff and forums, not provide support or troubleshooting advice for them. If you’re having trouble with a specific infection, I suggest you post a question in a malware removal forum. @ Cassie 1052, I personally responded to your comment via email, offering my personal email for feedback. I'm disappointed you didn't chose to reply. You've also had a very timely reply to your forum topic but chosen not to respond. All future support comments will be removed. @ Linda & davey8800, the purpose of this article is simply to showcase challenges faced by malware removal staff and forums, not provide support or troubleshooting advice for them.

If you’re having trouble with a specific infection, I suggest you post a question in a malware removal forum.

@ Cassie 1052, I personally responded to your comment via email, offering my personal email for feedback. I'm disappointed you didn't chose to reply. You've also had a very timely reply to your forum topic but chosen not to respond.

All future support comments will be removed.

]]> By: Cassie 1052 http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3622 Cassie 1052 Sun, 15 Jun 2008 14:23:31 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3622 Hello again! In sheer desperation I have to contact you with a plea for help! Fenzodahl1572 has sent me a link, with an offer to assist me, but once agaian I am unable to reach the site! It has taken me two days and still....nothing! None of the links you have sent have worked, so this is the only option available....Sorry! P.S. I write this after finally managing to access the site but left hanging in mid air waiting for a reponse in all departments (Total time 18hrs gmt) Hello again!
In sheer desperation I have to contact you with a plea for help! Fenzodahl1572 has sent me a link, with an offer to assist me, but once agaian I am unable to reach the site! It has taken me two days and still....nothing! None of the links you have sent have worked, so this is the only option available....Sorry!
P.S. I write this after finally managing to access the site but left hanging in mid air waiting for a reponse in all departments (Total time 18hrs gmt)

]]> By: davey88000 http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3611 davey88000 Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:17:20 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3611 I have been receiving recently a permission request for an addition to my registry for “*SPRTRA”, by my Spybot S&D. I naturally banned it, but every time I reboot my system it keeps trying to be added on. I can’t fine a word about it. Is it some type of virus, malware, spyware, residue of another program?? Perhaps you can help me remove it. I am truly stumped. I am running Win XP SPll, and of course NIS 2008. I’ve run Ad-Aware 2007, Windows Defender, not to mention a full system scan by NAV to no avail. I have been receiving recently a permission request for an addition to my registry for “*SPRTRA”, by my Spybot S&D. I naturally banned it, but every time I reboot my system it keeps trying to be added on. I can’t fine a word about it. Is it some type of virus, malware, spyware, residue of another program?? Perhaps you can help me remove it. I am truly stumped. I am running Win XP SPll, and of course NIS 2008. I’ve run Ad-Aware 2007, Windows Defender, not to mention a full system scan by NAV to no avail.

]]> By: Blair http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3609 Blair Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:58:51 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3609 Thank your for taking the time to comment cassie1052. While it's not really related to this post, and many people successfully navigate the site to get help, I'm sure we can improve. I've sent an email to the address you entered with this comment. Please follow up so that we may help you, and in turn help others that may be having the same difficulties. Thank your for taking the time to comment cassie1052. While it's not really related to this post, and many people successfully navigate the site to get help, I'm sure we can improve.

I've sent an email to the address you entered with this comment. Please follow up so that we may help you, and in turn help others that may be having the same difficulties.

]]> By: cassie1052 http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3598 cassie1052 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:21:09 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3598 I have extreme problems both accessing your site and navigating the 'rules' imposed for members. Bearing in mind I am a newbie to computers and am desperate for help, is it unreasonable to to expect that once finally managing to access your site, one is not required to wait hours to access various parts of it to get simple information, like entrance to forums. I do not understand why you have made your site so difficult so understand, especially as, most people requiring your assistance are mainly novices to computering. It is very frustrating to say the least to read the forums of your sterling work, join as a member and get less 'rights' than being just an ordinary visitor. Please explain how, once making a post, one is expected to know how are going to be willing to respond with assisstance, if like me, you dare to select the wrong box. Due to various popups encountered on my screen, most of a dubious nature , it is becoming really difficult to trust anything one sees or reads on the internet as reliable. Please restore my faith in those who are unquestionabley savvy in the art of knowing how to overcome problems with viruses etc, that your site is not yet another hoax. I have extreme problems both accessing your site and navigating the 'rules' imposed for members.
Bearing in mind I am a newbie to computers and am desperate for help, is it unreasonable to to expect that once finally managing to access your site, one is not required to wait hours to access various parts of it to get simple information, like entrance to forums. I do not understand why you have made your site so difficult so understand, especially as, most people requiring your assistance are mainly novices to computering.
It is very frustrating to say the least to read the forums of your sterling work, join as a member and get less 'rights' than being just an ordinary visitor.
Please explain how, once making a post, one is expected to know how are going to be willing to respond with assisstance, if like me, you dare to select the wrong box.
Due to various popups encountered on my screen, most of a dubious nature , it is becoming really difficult to trust anything one sees or reads on the internet as reliable.
Please restore my faith in those who are unquestionabley savvy in the art of knowing how to overcome problems with viruses etc, that your site is not yet another hoax.

]]> By: Tommy Thomas http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3534 Tommy Thomas Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:21:31 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3534 I have gotten valueable assistance from this site. Bravo! Thank you. I have another problem now that I need help with, please. I picked up a bug that will not let access my startup page for the internet or run a system restore point. When I run a system restore my computer goes through the motions and locks up on the restart. It will not shut down. When I unplug and restart, I get an error on shutdown message. I cannot shut down from regular computer use either. I contacted Embarg and we shut down my embarq security and ran a series of checks. Everything pings just fine. No help. I have a Compac with Dell works inside. Neither company will even discuss any thing with me as my system is compromised. If I time my startup, I can access my homepage. It is hit or miss at best. This is the only page that I could get to on your site. Is there a program downlosd available or some help that you may be able to offer. My computer savy is limited. Again, thank you for your previous recommendations and help. I have gotten valueable assistance from this site. Bravo! Thank you. I have another problem now that I need help with, please. I picked up a bug that will not let access my startup page for the internet or run a system restore point. When I run a system restore my computer goes through the motions and locks up on the restart. It will not shut down. When I unplug and restart, I get an error on shutdown message. I cannot shut down from regular computer use either. I contacted Embarg and we shut down my embarq security and ran a series of checks. Everything pings just fine. No help. I have a Compac with Dell works inside. Neither company will even discuss any thing with me as my system is compromised. If I time my startup, I can access my homepage. It is hit or miss at best. This is the only page that I could get to on your site. Is there a program downlosd available or some help that you may be able to offer. My computer savy is limited. Again, thank you for your previous recommendations and help.

]]> By: Mark Cummuta http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3474 Mark Cummuta Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:38:30 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3474 All I can say is, nicely written summary of a difficult job! I haven't done in-the-trenches tech support for several years, but I certainly remember what it was like. These systems are intentionally made difficult to edit and alter, specifically so most people could not mess themselves up. So of course, that's exactly what hackers and malware writers edit and alter. Further, they use all manner of social reengineering to get us to download and click on seemingly innocuous links and websites, to get into our machines. So, thank you for your efforts and assistance! There are many many beneficiaries of your help "out there" that truly appreciate your assistance. They just might not know how to say thank you very well! :-) All I can say is, nicely written summary of a difficult job! I haven't done in-the-trenches tech support for several years, but I certainly remember what it was like. These systems are intentionally made difficult to edit and alter, specifically so most people could not mess themselves up. So of course, that's exactly what hackers and malware writers edit and alter. Further, they use all manner of social reengineering to get us to download and click on seemingly innocuous links and websites, to get into our machines.

So, thank you for your efforts and assistance! There are many many beneficiaries of your help "out there" that truly appreciate your assistance. They just might not know how to say thank you very well! :-)

]]> By: Linda http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3421 Linda Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:19:44 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3421 I'm hoping for some help. I very stupidly downloaded something that contained Vundo something or other. It took over my computer and was BAD. I managed to download a program that got most everything back. HOwever, I'm left with a pernicious code that subverts my web brower. It just won't go to some sites and it won't search some things. Sometimes things show up on websites that say "Your computer might be infected yata yata yata" and it blinks and offers a free scan. One popped up on your site and I'm sure it's not a part. It looks just like the other stupid windows that pop up here and there. Anyway . . . I ran Norton AntiVirus, XoftSpyXE, Sypware Doctor and after initially finding things and removing them, they no longer find anything to remove. Same thing happened with an old verson of HijackThis. I downloaded the newest HijackThis but there are so many things that showed up and they and none of them look really suspicious that I didn't dare "fix" any thing. So where do I go from here? Sure hope you can help and I really appreciate any advice. ls I'm hoping for some help.
I very stupidly downloaded something that contained Vundo something or other. It took over my computer and was BAD. I managed to download a program that got most everything back. HOwever, I'm left with a pernicious code that subverts my web brower. It just won't go to some sites and it won't search some things. Sometimes things show up on websites that say "Your computer might be infected yata yata yata" and it blinks and offers a free scan. One popped up on your site and I'm sure it's not a part. It looks just like the other stupid windows that pop up here and there.

Anyway . . . I ran Norton AntiVirus, XoftSpyXE, Sypware Doctor and after initially finding things and removing them, they no longer find anything to remove. Same thing happened with an old verson of HijackThis. I downloaded the newest HijackThis but there are so many things that showed up and they and none of them look really suspicious that I didn't dare "fix" any thing.

So where do I go from here? Sure hope you can help and I really appreciate any advice.

ls

]]> By: Mark Schneider http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3413 Mark Schneider Sat, 31 May 2008 21:19:41 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3413 The real question is once infected can you remove all the code to the point where you fell comfortable going to your bank site, or other financial sites. For me the answer is no, if I'm infected I just keep a good backup, so I reformat and reinstall. A few years ago it was fairly simple now however, after running every product out there and editing the registry the stuff seems to remain. The real question is once infected can you remove all the code to the point where you fell comfortable going to your bank site, or other financial sites. For me the answer is no, if I'm infected I just keep a good backup, so I reformat and reinstall. A few years ago it was fairly simple now however, after running every product out there and editing the registry the stuff seems to remain.

]]> By: Seamey.T http://www.geekstogo.com/2008/05/29/the-art-of-malware-removal/comment-page-1/#comment-3404 Seamey.T Thu, 29 May 2008 21:38:47 +0000 http://www.geekstogo.com/?p=527#comment-3404 I would just like to add a comment and thank everyone at GTG for the never ending sterling work they do. Like many before me I have fell foul of Malware and many other problems,but with the help of staff and members they soon got things put right for me. So I say a big thank you to all Staff,Members,all who give up their spare time to help and unpaid for that matter. To all members who use their services,be polite and support them. I would just like to add a comment and thank everyone at GTG for the never ending sterling work they do.
Like many before me I have fell foul of Malware and many other problems,but with the help of staff and members they soon got things put right for me.

So I say a big thank you to all Staff,Members,all who give up their spare time to help and unpaid for that matter.

To all members who use their services,be polite and support them.

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