Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Kerro Perro · Post by **Kerro Perro** » 13 Dec 2012, 14:51

Well i know this is not SI or even a CG question but i have this really embarrasing and stubborn piece of malware on my workstation...
It seems to be local, i.e. Dutch, as it gives spoof links on a lot of sites like this that link to stupid Dutch promo sites of the "click now and win an Ipad!" variety

Here's the facts: it's only - annoyingly - on my workstation, my other pc hasn't got it. Both F-Secure and Windows Malicious blabla Tool can't find it and it's infected both Chrome and Firefox so it seems to be browser independent.

And good removal tools to recommend? You know the kind that don't do more harm than good ;)
I'm at the point it's annoying me so much that i'm considering reinstalling everything but that is also a massive hassle so i'd rather just "clean" it if possible..

And now were on the subject of malware i read on this (Dutch) newsarticle about the software that causes most malware to come in and am wondering wich i can do without for my work in Softimage, Photoshop, AE, Sketchbook etc. :

-Flash Player: should be able to get rid of it but i have some flash based PS-plugins...
-iTunes: not on it
-QuickTime: i use the pro a lot for quick ripping of video into frames... guess i could do that in AE as well but a lot less easy..
-Adobe Reader: hmm any other easy good and safer PDF readers about?
-Java: Apparently this causes a lot of leaks! Anything important dependant on this? I'm really ignorant about it even though i did study it in school long ago (but i failed that class so hence my ignorance..)

mattmos · Post by **mattmos** » 13 Dec 2012, 15:46

malwarebytes is decent and has a useful support forum.

druitre · Post by **druitre** » 13 Dec 2012, 16:48

-Adobe Reader: hmm any other easy good and safer PDF readers about?

Foxit. About 10 times lighter and faster, no malware. (As far as I know, I'm using it since 10 years or so)

Kerro Perro · Post by **Kerro Perro** » 13 Dec 2012, 17:26

Thanks guys, will try both those suggestions tonight!

Kerro Perro · Post by **Kerro Perro** » 13 Dec 2012, 22:39

Ok Malwarebytes fi-nah-ly got rid off the malware!

For the other stuff: uninstalled Flash Player, set my browser to block all plugins, am just keeping QuickTime but might try blocking it's internet access.
I tried installing Foxit but it asked to install an Ask.com toolbar - that always hacks me off! I think i'll just ban pdf's from my workstation altogether.

mattmos · Post by **mattmos** » 13 Dec 2012, 23:50

Glad it helped, I've had malware before which just wouldn't go, ended up re-installing everything, not fun!

I wouldn't worry about pdf readers too much, I found java more likely to be exploited, get rid of that. Don't think I broke anything by removing it...

Falam · Post by **Falam** » 14 Dec 2012, 03:25

Kerro Perro wrote:Well i know this is not SI or even a CG question but i have this really embarrasing and stubborn piece of malware on my workstation...
It seems to be local, i.e. Dutch, as it gives spoof links on a lot of sites like this that link to stupid Dutch promo sites of the "click now and win an Ipad!" variety

Here's the facts: it's only - annoyingly - on my workstation, my other pc hasn't got it. Both F-Secure and Windows Malicious blabla Tool can't find it and it's infected both Chrome and Firefox so it seems to be browser independent.

And good removal tools to recommend? You know the kind that don't do more harm than good ;)
I'm at the point it's annoying me so much that i'm considering reinstalling everything but that is also a massive hassle so i'd rather just "clean" it if possible..

And now were on the subject of malware i read on this (Dutch) newsarticle about the software that causes most malware to come in and am wondering wich i can do without for my work in Softimage, Photoshop, AE, Sketchbook etc. :

-Flash Player: should be able to get rid of it but i have some flash based PS-plugins...
-iTunes: not on it
-QuickTime: i use the pro a lot for quick ripping of video into frames... guess i could do that in AE as well but a lot less easy..
-Adobe Reader: hmm any other easy good and safer PDF readers about?
-Java: Apparently this causes a lot of leaks! Anything important dependant on this? I'm really ignorant about it even though i did study it in school long ago (but i failed that class so hence my ignorance..)

Why does your "Nooby Animation Project" link re-direct to edit my signature ?

Kerro Perro · Post by **Kerro Perro** » 14 Dec 2012, 03:34

Because i'm an idiot

Fixed.

Falam · Post by **Falam** » 14 Dec 2012, 04:09

Kerro Perro wrote:Because i'm an idiot Fixed.

druitre · Post by **druitre** » 14 Dec 2012, 08:22

From this website : '(...)Note that Sun's Java has nothing at all to do with JavaScript(...)'

That has always confused me. Good to know. I thought it came with XSI install (javascript) and was a necessary feature.

So, how did (Sun-) Java actually end up on my system? It's brand new and yet Java is there since day one. Almost looks like it came with win7 install.

Rork · Post by **Rork** » 14 Dec 2012, 09:22

Almost looks like it came with win7 install.

Very unlikely, it probably sneaked it's way in with some software install.

Other than the oddball website, I haven't see any use for it in the last year or so.

If you want to playcompletely safe, there's a portable version of Java available, able to run in combination with most (portable) browsers.
Have a look at http://www.portableapps.com

Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware

Re: Get rid of some very stubborn malware