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General discussion

Can anyone help me regarding Spyware?

by olivia24 Oct 18, 2008 3:59PM PDT

Ok..I don't know much about computers just the basic. I will try to explain the best I could, but I guess you will have the idea about what I'm saying...

Few days ago, while I'm on a certain page..I am being redirected to some certain sites. It happened several times, w/c I ignore. Just this morning my computer background got changed into a warning: Spyware threat has been detected on your PC. It has several fatal errors due to spyware activity. Also, it says to update my antispyware protection. Which I did, & was redirected to the site of PC Protection Center 2008. After I download, & run the program..nothing happen.

I have Windows XP, & have the free edition of the AVG. Last I check, it's on active status. And I don't understand why such threat on my computer.

Can anyone help me..because I know my computer is not properly running correctly. Viewing other sites, or just clicking a link..I alway hit blank pages..

Thanks

Discussion is locked

9 Posts
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How to remove PC Protection Center 2008
by Carol~ Oct 18, 2008 4:47PM PDT

Olivia..

Please read: "How to remove PC Protection Center 2008 (Uninstall) Instructions" at the link directly below.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/remove-pc-protection-center-2008

Scroll down to where you see, "Automated Removal Instructions for PC Protection Center 2008 using Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware", where it will explain how to use it."

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from Here or Here

'Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

-Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
-If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
-Once the program has loaded, select Perform FULL Scan, then click Scan.
-The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
-When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
-Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
-When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)

The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.

Extra Note:

If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process,if asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.
**If you encounter this message:"c:\program files\malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamext.dll Unable to register the dll/ocx: RegSvr32 failed with exit code 0x5" Click on ignore mbamext.dll'

If you have any problems or questions, please don't hesitate to post back.

Good luck..
Carol

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Additional scanner..
by Carol~ Oct 18, 2008 5:20PM PDT

Olivia,

In addition to MBAM above, I would also download and install the FREE version of SUPERAntiSpyware for home user's.

http://www.superantispyware.com/

- Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
- An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
- If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates".
(If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download and unzip them from here.)
- Under "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences button.
- Click the Scanning Control tab.
- Under Scanner Options make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):

*Close browsers before scanning.
*Scan for tracking cookies.
*Terminate memory threats before quarantining.

- Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen.
- Back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
- On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
- On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan.
- Click "Next" to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.
- After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
- Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
- A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
- If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes".

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still not working & thx for replying
by olivia24 Oct 19, 2008 2:22PM PDT

Carol,
Thanks for replying back. As I am trying to follow your instructions, i tried on opening the links you've provided. I can't seem to open them, as pages cannot be displayed. What's happening? Everything is not working properly. However, I tried on removing PC Protection, from the Control Panel Add/Remove.

What's my next move? Can't even open the site for Malwarebytes. Again, thanks..

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Can you download MBAM via a different computer...
by Marianna Schmudlach Oct 19, 2008 3:29PM PDT

put it on a CD or USB Stick and install it onto your computer, that would be the easiest way.

Otherwise you have to manually look for:

Associated PC Protection Center 2008 Files:

c:\WINDOWS\system32\vbzlib2.dll
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\options.ini
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\PcProtection.exe
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\PcProtection.exe.MANIFEST
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\uninstall.exe
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\uninstall.log
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\vbase.ini
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\lang
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\lang\english.lng
c:\Program Files\PC Protection Center 2008\lang\russian.lng
c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\PC Protection Center 2008.lnk
c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\PC Protection Center 2008
c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\PC Protection Center 2008\PC Protection Center 2008.lnk
c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\PC Protection Center 2008\Remove PC Protection Center 2008.lnk



Associated PC Protection Center 2008 Windows Registry Information:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Antivirus Software
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\PC Protection Center 2008
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run "PC Protection Center"

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/remove-pc-protection-center-2008

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Re: Still not working..
by Carol~ Oct 19, 2008 3:34PM PDT

Olivia..

I was just about to shutdown when I saw your post. You said you can't open the Malwarebytes' site. Did you try clicking on the below link? If you're lucky, it may allow you to get the file and then save it to your desktop.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/database/mbam-rules.exe

You can download the file from another working (and clean) computer, then transfer it to yours. You shouldn't have a problem, but if you do, sometimes it's suggested to change the name of the file.

If you have a problem with the above, please don't hesitate to post back. There are a lot of knowledgeable moderators and members, more than eager to help.

Best of luck ..
Carol

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Many thanks
by olivia24 Oct 20, 2008 3:13PM PDT

i would like to thank you all for helping me. though, at first it seems not working..but it finally went through with some luck..i guess.

it looks like my computer is properly working again. i hope i do it right. i don't know how it happen, but surely i will always visit this site to learn more about computers..

again, thanks.

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keep updated
by hrlow2 Oct 20, 2008 8:01PM PDT

If SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes does the job for you,don't forget to keep them updated and scan with both on a regular basis. I would also use SpywareGuard that runs in the background.

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Thank you, thank you, thank you !!!
by ShrekkieBMA Oct 21, 2008 4:17PM PDT

Hi Carol,

I also followed your advise and Malwarebytes worked perfectly - 1st time!

I have been trying to get PC Protection Centre 2008 from my PC for 4 days!

Thank you very much!

Lambert

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(NT) You're welcome .. X 3!!! :)
by Carol~ Oct 22, 2008 5:08PM PDT
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