help removed quarantined trojan, but computer still a mess

[Former Member]

I don't know what else to do. I had a trojan which was quarantined. I finally realized that I needed to remove it. I did, but the computer is still a mess. It literally takes 15-20 to load up IE and when I open up other programs like Outlook, they are very slow and the majority of the time don't respond. I am constantly getting messages saying this program and that program doesn't respond. I have run defrag a lot, scanned for viruses. McAfee does not find any viruses nor are there any quarantined files that need to be removed. Somehow I still think that the original trojan is not completely gone.

What do I do?

Frusterated

[exbrit]

Run the free versions of these two tools and have them remove anything they find:

http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

[Former Member]

Hi,

I downloaded and scanned both of the programs that you suggested. My computer seemed to work fine the day after, but it is back to its same problems again today. Does this sound like a virus problem or something else?

Thank you for your quick response.

[exbrit]

That's difficult to answer. I suggest downloading Hijackthis and posting its log along with details fo the problem on one of the following forums for expert analysis and help.

DOWNLOAD HIJACKTHIS

Do not post the log here, we can't help!

Post the logs at a specialist Forum:

AUMHA FORUM

BLEEPING COMPUTER FORUM

GEEKS TO GO FORUM

MAJOR GEEKS FORUM

MALWAREBYTES FORUM

MALWARE REMOVAL FORUM

SPYWAREHAMMER FORUM

SPYWARE INFO FORUM

WHAT THE TECH FORUM

Be sure to read all the sticky announcements/instructions at the top of each malware forum!

[Former Member]

Ok I will try that. Thank you for your quick response and helpfulness. Much appreciated.

[exbrit]

Good luck.

[Former Member]

Please let us know if you were able to fix the problem!

If it seemed ok but came back it's because the first 2 steps of cleaning up the computer were not followed (and rarely are). You should first stop the source of the infection, then patch or fix the method your computer was infected. only AFTER doing these steps should you actually do the removal process.

[Former Member]

I just scanned for a third time with both processes--anti-spyware and malware. The second time neither found anything. I am still in the process of doing malware for the third time. All I did was follow the instructions. How do I do what you said?

"If it seemed ok but came back it's because the first 2 steps of cleaning up the computer were not followed (and rarely are). You should first stop the source of the infection, then patch or fix the method your computer was infected. only AFTER doing these steps should you actually do the removal process. "

Thank you,

Frusterated

[Former Member]

Many of the malicious software programs out there exploit known flaws in your computer software in order to run. The software vendors fix these issues and create patches to fix the flaw. This is why it is important to keep your computer's software up-to-date!

1) If it's a network flaw, make ssure you have a firewall enabled (McAfee OR Windows Firewall).
2) Update your computer at Microsoft Update ( http://update.microsoft.com/MicrosoftUpdate )
2.1) Install the free Secunia software to scan your computer for non-microsoft software that can be exploited ( http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal ).

[Former Member]

Hi,

Just letting you know that I went to the Malware Removal Forum like you suggested. After a long series of back and forth instructions to follow, I am malware-free and my computer is more stable. They also suggested that I get more RAM as my Dell All-in-One printer is and was causing much of the error messages.

I stand amazed at the amount of time and dedication people give to help others in these forums.

Thank you for all your guidance and direction,

Not frusterated any more.:)