computer genius needed

C

Copaup

Joined
Oct 7, 2004
Messages
122
I'm having trouble with Mcaffee antivirus. I ran it and it found 2 viruses on my system. Actually , it looks like the same trojan in two different places. No prob, think I , and hit the trusty clean button. No good, it says the disk is write protected and it can't clean, quarentine, or delete the file in question. Funny, since last I checked my hard drive wasn't write protected. I was using AVG, but since AOhell upgraded to the new security edition it now has Mcaffee as part of the software and it doesn't play well with other antivirus programs.

Issue 2. I'm moving away from AOL and due to my new bellsouth dsl connection I need a firewall. I understand that the Windows firewall sucks and need suggestions as to what to replace it with. Any good freeware out there?

This is the kind of thing I don't need on 2 hours sleep. Fiancee has sinus infection. Its like sleeping with Darth Vader. Or at least laying in bed with his sister. In any case, I'm probably overlooking something very simple here due to the sleep deprivation bringing on delerium. Hopefully someone will have the answer before I toss this computer across the room.
 
Firewall: Zonealarm from www.zonelabs.com
Get the free version
-or-
Look at a local staples for zonealarm 4 with 12 months of free updates then use that code on the newest ersion from the website. I think I paid $10 clearance at staples instead of $39.95 for the pro version online.

Antivirus: Give macaffee the boot and go back to AVG.

You may be able to boot into safe mode (reboot and tap "f8" until you get the boot options. Select safe mode. Try deleting the files manually or running Macaffee again.

Post again if that doesn't fix anything.

N2
 
Check with microsoft or mcaffy. Every once and a while there is a valid system file that gets missidentified as having a virus.
 
I don't really trust McAfee, especially the one provided by AOL. I was once cleaning up a computer that was protected by that, and guess what? It was infected by a few viruses. Go back to AVG, it works great and is free. As far as I know AOL charges extra for that McAfee service, and you can disable or uninstall it easily. It is also possible that some of the files McAffee is calling infected are just reminents of AVG. If you want to be sure there are a few things you can do.

1. Try running the scan in safe mode. Just hit F8 while the computer is booting up, and you will be given the option to boot into safe mode. This starts up a minimum number of services, etc. Sometimes if a file is in use and infected with a virus you won't be able to fix it.
2. Turn off the system restore service. Then restart the computer, delete the hidden restore folder. Run a virus scan again, and clean any problems. Then restart the computer, and start up system restore again. Make sure you remember to set a restore point once everything is clean and working well.

I like Sygate for a firewall. It is free and works really well. I think it gives you a little more control than ZoneAlarm. They also give free updates, and have a pay version with some extra features should you need them. I first went with Sygate over ZA because ZA wasn't playing nicely with AOL when I had it. Just something to think about.
 
You know, you guys are faster than most live chat tech support teams. What I've done is removed the Macaffe from my computer and replaced it with the AVG virus protection and the Zone Alarm firewall. Seems stable thus far, and oddly, when I ran AVG it didn't find any mysterious write protected trojans. Hopefully the problem was with Macaffe and it isn't that AVG is missing something.

As an aside, by switching from aol broadband dsl to bellsouth fast access dsl my download speed has gone from 1 mbs to 2.5. And I'll be paying less when I cancel the remnants of my AOL service as soon as I get all my email switched over. Soon I will be free of Time Warner once and for all!
 
Now make sure to run AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy to make sure you're free of AOL spyware too.

These days a decent hardware firewall can be had for cheap. I bought a Netgear 4 port (wired) 10/100 router/firewall WITH 802.11G wirelessand full firewall for $29.00 a couple weeks ago at Staples. If you're really paranoid, use a hardware firewall and ZoneAlarm. Most hardware router/firewalls give you the option of setting it so that it won't respond to aremote ping so if someone does a port scan your system isn't even visible to the net. This causes no problems for gaming and normal internet use, but won't allow you to run a server.

I have seen occasional trojans that Symantec posted special removal tool to remove. Generally you download the removal tool to a floppy and boot from it and it automates the removal of a virus that can't be removed from within windows.

And use Firefox!

John
 
Do what ErikD suggested but do #2 first. You need to turn off System Restore before you run an AVG scan in Safe Mode otherwise the infected files will still be in the restore folder. Turning off SR before the scan will ensure that the file is wiped out in the restore folder. You can then do your scan and you should wind up clean. Also, if you have WinXP you should download Service Pack 2 (if you haven't already). It has a built in Firewall that works well. Also download the new Microsoft AntiSpam software (in beta mode). I have been using it for a few weeks now and it works.
 
I'd avoid the microsoft anti spyware while it's still in beta. I had it screw up my activation on a legit copy of XP that came with my laptop.

There are pleny of great anti spyware programs for free out there (adaware, spybot search and destroy, spyware blaster...)

Also even the updated windows firewall is pretty weak compared to (free) zonealarm.

N2
 
I would suggest spending to $30-$90 and get a hardware router/firewall.

The XP sp2 firewall is MUCH better than the old one.
And if you get a router/firewall will will not need anything better for most uses...

The router/firewall will also NOT SLOW DOWN YOUR COMPUTER!!!!

Boot your computer into safe mode(keep tapping the <F8> key while booting untill you see a menu) and then run the anti-virus program...That SHOULD let you remove it.

I do this for a living....Trust me one the hardware router/firewall thing...
It will also make your computer behave like you have a direct internet connection or Roadrunner even if you have DSL, and you will not have to fool around with pppoe dialers and garbage like that.
 
jmxcpter said:
Well I'm not James, but I've used Linksys and Netgear. Both work well but I like Netgear better.

John
Click to expand...
I have never used Netgear myself, but I have used Linksys and D-Link with no problems.
I have heard good things about Netgear from others too.
 
I've used D-Link, Netgear and Linksys. They're all about the same to me. I mostly use Netgear now, as they are more commonly available from stores in my area.
 
Had problems with Netgear with every item I've tried (2 so far).

D-Link has never let me down, and you can't beat them for the price.

N2
 
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