[nibnibz]

hi
recently my computer has been having problems with .exe files, dont know how it started maybe a virus or something but AVG identified all .exe extensions for my programmes as threats and another virus scanner found them as "files not found", once this happened to a programme i was unable to access it and a windows restriction message came up. i did a virus scan and removed anything i could then restarted comp (bad idea probs =/) now when i start up my pc explorer doesnt load (even in safe mode) i cant do it via taskmanager->run prog->explorer because it gives a message "windows cannot find,"explorer". make sure you have typed the name correctly and try again". i have read on other threads that a virus could have changed my .exe directory in the registry (or something like that) and give instructions how to giude through regedit and fix it but i cant access regedit through the command prompt or by run->regedt32, if i type in run-> reg edit a box appears for a second then dissapears. ive tries doing this in safe mode too.

any help on fixing this would be appreciated, i am a bit of a noob though if you havnt already gathered ^^ so ya may have to dumb it down a bit lol.
if any more info is needed just ask plz

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You are infected with a polymorphic file infector. This infection can and will infect all the machine's executable files .exe, .scr, .rar, .zip, .htm, .html. Because there are a number of bugs in its code, it may create executable files that are corrupted beyond repair resulting in an inoperative machine.

Malware experts say that a Complete Reformat and Reinstall is the only way to clean the infection. This includes All Drives that contain .exe, .scr, .rar, .zip, .htm, .html files.

• Backup all your documents and important items only.
• DO NOT backup any executable files (,exe .scr .html or .htm)
• Do Not back up compressed files (zip/cab/rar) files that may contain .exe or .scr files
• Reformat and Reinstall as outlined HERE

I suggest you do the following immediately:

• Call all of your banks, credit card companies, financial institutions and inform them that you may be a victim of identity theft and to put a watch on your accounts or change all your account numbers.
• From a clean computer, change *all* your online passwords -- for email, for banks, financial accounts, PayPal, eBay, online companies, any online forums or groups you belong to.
• DO NOT change passwords or do any transactions while using the infected computer because the attacker will get the new passwords and transaction information.

[Rorschach112]

You are infected with a polymorphic file infector. This infection can and will infect all the machine's executable files .exe, .scr, .rar, .zip, .htm, .html. Because there are a number of bugs in its code, it may create executable files that are corrupted beyond repair resulting in an inoperative machine.

Malware experts say that a Complete Reformat and Reinstall is the only way to clean the infection. This includes All Drives that contain .exe, .scr, .rar, .zip, .htm, .html files.

• Backup all your documents and important items only.
• DO NOT backup any executable files (,exe .scr .html or .htm)
• Do Not back up compressed files (zip/cab/rar) files that may contain .exe or .scr files
• Reformat and Reinstall as outlined HERE

I suggest you do the following immediately:

• Call all of your banks, credit card companies, financial institutions and inform them that you may be a victim of identity theft and to put a watch on your accounts or change all your account numbers.
• From a clean computer, change *all* your online passwords -- for email, for banks, financial accounts, PayPal, eBay, online companies, any online forums or groups you belong to.
• DO NOT change passwords or do any transactions while using the infected computer because the attacker will get the new passwords and transaction information.

[nibnibz]

ahhhhhhhh =/ pretty gutted about that but if its the only way guess it gotta be done. thanx loads for the help =]

[Rorschach112]

no problem, seems like AVG probably removed your explorer.exe and other files trying to clean the infection. Some tips for after you format


Below I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer against malware infections.

• Keep Windows updated by regularly checking their website at :
  http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
  This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer.
  
  
• SpywareBlaster protects against bad ActiveX, it immunizes your PC against them.
  
  
• SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts. Make sure you are only running one real-time anti-spyware protection program ( eg : TeaTimer, Windows Defender ) or there will be a conflict.
  
  
• Make Internet Explorer more secure
  
  • Click Start > Run
  • Type Inetcpl.cpl & click OK
  • Click on the Security tab
  • Click Reset all zones to default level
  • Make sure the Internet Zone is selected & Click Custom level
  • In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable".
  • Next Click OK, then Apply button and then OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
• ATF Cleaner - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
  
  
• MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer, meaning it will be difficult to infect yourself in the future.
  
  
• Please consider using an alternate browser. Mozilla's Firefox browser is fantastic; it is much more
  secure than Internet Explorer, immune to almost all known browser hijackers, and also has the best built-in pop up
  blocker (as an added benefit!) that I have ever seen. If you are interested, Firefox may be downloaded from
  Here
  
  
  If you choose to use Firefox, I highly recommend these add-ons to keep your PC even more secure.
  
  • NoScript - for blocking ads and other potential website attacks
  • McAfee SiteAdvisor - this tells you whether the sites you are about to visit are safe or not. A must if you do a lot of Googling
  
  
• Keep a backup of your important files - Now, more than ever, it's especially important to protect your digital files and memories. This article is full of good information on alternatives for home backup solutions.
  
  
• ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the Security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files. The backup set includes a small executable that will launch the registry restore if needed.
  
  
• FileHippo Update Checker is an extremely helpful program that will tell you which of your programs need to be updated. Its important to keep programs up to date so that malware doesn't exploit any old security flaws.
  
  
• Recovery Console - Recent trends appear to indicate that future infections will include attacks to the boot sector of the computer. The installation of the Recovery Console in the computer will be our only defense against this threat. For more information and steps to install the Recovery Console see This Article. Should you need assistance in installing the Recovery Console, please do not hesitate to ask.
  
  
• Please read my guide on how to prevent malware and about safe computing here

Thank you for your patience, and performing all of the procedures requested.