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Question

Need help getting rid of Trojan virus!!

May 6, 2012 12:53AM PDT

Hi,

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Try this
May 6, 2012 1:21AM PDT

Got to a clean computer, download MALWAREBYTES onto a flash drive, boot the sick unit to safe mode, load MWB from FD and run, see if that kicks it.

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Will this work?
May 6, 2012 5:04AM PDT
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Answer
Does the trojan have a name?
May 6, 2012 6:55AM PDT

Ed..

It would help to know the name (and location) of the trojan AVG found.

If you're not prevented (blocked) from downloading Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and/or SUPERAntiSpyware, you should be able to scan without having to use another computer. (Both offer FREE versions) IF you're unable to install one or the other, let us know.

Since we don't know specifically which trojan this is, I would also suggest using an online scanner such as:

ESET's Online Scanner - Their FAQ and Help sections should answer any questions you might have. (Temporarily disable AVG prior to running the scan)

Best of luck..
Carol

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These are the Trojans
May 6, 2012 8:32AM PDT

Thanks.

The location is C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe(1232):\memory_... Trojan horse agent_r.BGP

And the second one is the same except it's r.BGG

OK, I'll do the downloads and go from there.

Ed

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System seems clear!
May 7, 2012 2:14AM PDT

Thanks to everyone who responded.

Disconnected from the internet, with System Restore off, and in safe mode I ran a full computer scan with:

1. Malwarebytes, which detected nothing.

2. SUPERAntiSpyware, which detected a couple of adware items.

3. AVG, the program that failed initally to protect me, ironically detected and was able to clear a bunch of Trojan stuff.

I rebooted in normal startup mode and ran a full scan with AVG, and only some tracking cookies were detected.

I also had a little browser re-direction problem that appears to be fixed also.

Thanks again. Now my dilemma is which internet protection to use. AVG failed to protect, but was also able to fix the problem. Should I stay or switch? To what?

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Good news, Ed!
May 7, 2012 3:26AM PDT

Ed..

I don't know how long you've been using AVG, or if you experienced any problems with it in the past. I wouldn't discount it, because of this one incident. Sometimes a "second go-around" is necessary. It's entirely up to you, whether you wish to make a change or not.

IF you do wish to switch, the more popular free A/V's are:

Avira Free Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) - Should you select MSE see: "Checklist for installing Microsoft Security Essentials"
Avast Free Antivirus

Lastly. You mentioned in your original post, "AVG didn't protect me well enough". You can't expect any one A/V (or Anti-Spyware), to protect you 100% of the time. It's why we use "layered" protection. More importantly, there is no software capable of protecting you against the actions you take. A well worn expression, but true.

Glad to hear all is well Happy
Carol

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Carol thanks for the information.
May 7, 2012 7:15AM PDT

AVG has been good to me for years and this is the only problem I've ever had.

The new Consumer Reports magazine just did a study of AV software, and Avira and Avast get high marks along with AVG.

Just curious, when you say "layered" protection, is there something else I should be running in addition to AVG? The only other thing that I use is the Windows Firewall. Thanks. Ed.

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You're welcome, Ed
May 7, 2012 11:04AM PDT

It's kind of a tough question to answer. Only because I know less about AVG, than I do about the other two. I'm not sure if AVG has an anti-spyware component.

If not, I might suggest installing the paid version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. And that's ONLY if you've found you've had more than your fair share of malware infections. I use the free version as a stand alone scanner, only because I never felt the need for it. Only you can be judge of your history.

I attempted to find out if AVG was compatible with the paid version of MBAM, and found varying opinions. At the AVG forum, one post indicates there's a conflict with AVG's Identity Protection. And yet some user's didn't have a problem with it. At the Malwarebytes forum, they instruct you how to have the two run concurrently. This would probably be the best example.

Do I feel you need it? Probably not. Do I feel you should use (the free versions) of MBAM or SUPERAntiSpware (SAS) as tools? Yes!

Ed, if you feel you need an anti-spyware program running in real-time along with AVG, I would suggest posting at our AVG Forum and asking them if they feel MBAM is compatible.

Best of luck..
Carol

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Thanks
May 7, 2012 2:01PM PDT

Carol,

Can't thank you enough.

Will check on anti-spyware component.

Ed