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I blame the wife. She received a message on Facebook yesterday; when she opened it, it sent itself to all her friends, disabled her Facebook account and the next thing I know we've got no internet access. MSN, however, is still fine (bit odd, that). I did a scan using AVG and it came up with four Trojans, which I promptly deleted. And Ad-Aware also picked up something which (I think) it dealt with. But still no joy and still no internet access.

If anyone has any words of wisdom to impart, please feel free. Much obliged.

Did you note down the names of the trojans AVG identified? If so, you need to get to a computer with internet access, Google them followed by "fix" or "remove" and look specifically for tech support forum answers. This has always worked for me - I am always impressed at how many geek types offer top quality advice for free on these various forums and with any luck you won't have to ask a question on the forums, you'll be able to find an already existing thread on how to remedy it.

also check your firewall isn't blocking all traffic due to the infection and if needed reinstall your internet service providers cd / software.
some viruses can delete the software driver for your modem so check the hardware profile in control panel (win xp) to see if any hardware is showing non-funtionality, hope that makes sense.

AVG sucks big style

I have just had to clean up a badly infected pc allegedly "protected" by AVG.

The facebook virus is called koobface and it installs a trojan called codecsetup.exe on your pc.

First go to download.com and get these two bits of software

Malware bytes
Spybot

Boot in safe mode (press f8 once you ehar your pc beep when you turn it on - press continuously unitl you get a screen asking how to boot, choose safe mode with networking) you can now download both programs without the virus corrupting files.

install programs and perform a full scan using each

remove what you can and then go to www.kaspersky.com/trials

get the internet security suite
it's free for 30 days and if you go to pc worlkd you can buy a licence for 24.99 instead of the 40 quid kaspersky want direct.

perform a full scan after updates

you should now be safe

Jordan C wrote:AVG sucks big style

I have just had to clean up a badly infected pc allegedly "protected" by AVG.

I don't agree with that at all, and neither do any of my programmer friends. Compared to packages like Norton and Panda, AVG is superb.

Of course, no matter what anti-virus software you use you will always knacker your computer if you go to dodgy sites or click on dodgy pop-ups and links - keeping your computer safe is 20% your protection software and 80% common sense.

If AVG is so shoddy then why have I used it solely for 3 years and never had a single problem at all?

queen of clubs wrote:I don't agree with that at all.....

I will second this by saying; as AVG is so well used, people will always try to make viri that get pass the protection. This is why you need to keep it well updated, but still does not gurantee from all viruses.

Sorry,

I agree with Jordan. I wouln't touch AVG with a barge pole, been stung with that c**p before. Used Norton for a lot of years, now use McAfee, but don't, don't use AVG.

Check your pc with malware bytes think you'll find stuff.

Also if someone exercises safe and precautionary internet usage thehn yes AVG can be a defence but it really is sh*te. I'm an IT security specialist and I can assure you that if I wanted to I could be on your pc in less than ten minutes without you even knowing I'd been to visit. I can then farm your info via a trojan that will have it s digital footprint and signature removed from all your AVG and other databases so you wouldn't ever detect it.

AVG is for the light user only and for someone who exercises necessary caution and tbh is too tight to pay for guaranteed security.

NORTON, and PANDA suck ass about as much as AVG.

Norton sucks ass?!

who would have thought it.

Jordan C wrote:I'm an IT security specialist and I can assure you that if I wanted to I could be on your pc in less than ten minutes without you even knowing I'd been to visit. I can then farm your info via a trojan that will have it s digital footprint and signature removed from all your AVG and other databases so you wouldn't ever detect it.

Gosh! Less than ten minutes? I won't even have enough time to bake a cake!

Anyway, aren't you that guy who is such a genuis with computers that you haven't even been able to get internet access for the past few months? Eh? Eh?

Jordan C wrote:AVG is for the light user only and for someone who exercises necessary caution and tbh is too tight to pay for guaranteed security.

Too tight to pay? The programs you've recommended - Spybot etc. - are free, and Kaspersky is cheaper than AVG, so I don't know what you're on about.

And as for "light user", I can assure you that I am an extremely heavy internet user. And I'm not that careful, either - I go to P2P sites; I go to weirdo porn sites - and nothing!

I think a lot of this petty "this program is sh*t, this program isn't" talk comes from people's experiences of whichever anti-virus they were using when they got infected, rather than on solid facts. Like if someone was using Norton and they got a really bad virus they'll forever harp on about how poor Norton is, but if they'd been using anything else at the time then that would become the default "wouldn't touch with a barge-pole" software in their minds.

All I know is I'm all over the place on the net and I use AVG and I've never had a serious problem, so it obviously doesn't "suck".

Windows sucks

Oh, sorry, wrong flame war...

Anyway, aren't you that guy who is such a genuis with computers that you haven't even been able to get internet access for the past few months? Eh? Eh?

My internet issues come down to BT and Tiscali not my abilities.

And you can bake fairy cakes whilst I hack your PC.

Anyone who seriously believes in AVG is a sucker and I could if I wanted to track your IP's now and show you how much of a sucker you are by hacking and leaving a massive footprint on your desktop saying Jordan was 'ere.

Fortunately for you I am an ethical hacker and therefore only do stuff with permission!!! Ask seige!!! He thought his site was totally inpenetrable until I hacked and price modded a 40 quid book to 2p!!! He consequently gave me the book for free!!

Believe in AVG if you like but more fool you, more fool you I say!!

[Jordan C - CEH]

Jordan C wrote:I could if I wanted to track your IP's now and show you how much of a sucker you are by hacking and leaving a massive footprint on your desktop saying Jordan was 'ere.

Do it. If you can put something on my desktop saying "Jordan Woz Ere" I'll... well, I don't know what I'll do. I'll think of something to compliment you. Maybe buy you a DVD or something. Or a sparkling new pair of trousers. But you can't. It's hyperbole. I dare you!

queen of clubs wrote:I think a lot of this petty "this program is sh*t, this program isn't" talk comes from people's experiences of whichever anti-virus they were using when they got infected, rather than on solid facts. Like if someone was using Norton and they got a really bad virus they'll forever harp on about how poor Norton is, but if they'd been using anything else at the time then that would become the default "wouldn't touch with a barge-pole" software in their minds.

All I know is I'm all over the place on the net and I use AVG and I've never had a serious problem, so it obviously doesn't "suck".

I agree with HRH Queen of Clubs. When I eventually get this sorted, I will continue to use AVG. Anyway, thanks to you all for your input. I appreciate it.

By the way, I called Currys yesterday and they said they would remove all viruses for £50. I think that will be a last resort, to be honest.

Replicant, it's also a VERY good idea to switch to Firefox as your browser of choice and install the NoScript plug-in. By default, no potentially malicious script will run on any page unless you say it's okay. That way, you're not relying on Microsoft's tediously slow malicious site database to be up-to-date. You can also banish ads served from third party servers (also potentially dodgy) and so speed up page loads.

It's the only way to surf