Spontaneous Computer Crapping Out

[SanadaUjiosan]

Much like the poor souls who have spontaneously combusted in the past, my computer decided to kick the can yesterday. I was reading some homework when I heard a very ominous bing. Looking up, I watched my anti-virus software begin to freak out, with windows appearing and reappearing rapidly and a looped "Threat Detected, Threat Detected" going off like a siren. When I finally got my computer under control, I decided to restart seeing as how I had just been attacked by something.

Basically, computer was never right again. It would boot all the way to my desktop, but would freeze the moment I put any commands into the computer, like clicking on a buddy to IM. Restarted a few times, with no progress.

So now, thanks to snoop's help, I'm trying out Ubuntu. I'm sure many of you are rejoicing. It's nice and sleek, but I'm going to need to get a working version of Windows somewhat soon.

Just thought I'd share.

[forest_devil]

what ever you do id recommend having partition of ubuntu kept on the computer, that way there is some hope of saving some of your work
plus you never know you may start to like it alot.

[KaiserJ]

regardless of whether you do end up liking ubuntu; having a dual boot is key in case one of your OS gets mucked up. it's saved me already this year, and probably will again sometime in the future.

[Neddie]

Though this is also good advice for Linux users. The number of times I've had Debian brick itself on update...

[knorke]

I heard a very ominous bing. Looking up, I watched my anti-virus software begin to freak out, with windows appearing and reappearing rapidly and a looped "Threat Detected, Threat Detected" going off like a siren.

lol maybe change your antivir software. this one does not seem very helpful

[Neddie]

I recommend Avast, Kaspersky, or just extreme care as a user.

[aegis]

I recommend nod32 and normally just install microsoft security essentials on other computers

[SanadaUjiosan]

I was using Avast. While I wouldn't say I'm an extremely cautious user, I do know when to turn around. I was seriously just sitting on some normal sites that I frequent. I wonder if something "broke through" into my campus' network, and for whatever reason targeted me.

[REVENGE]

I encountered a very similar problem to what you're experiencing on a laptop I recently received. On boot-up, the computer would run one of those fake antivirus programs, and when I tried to launch any application, I would get a bunch of errors and a blue screen (even in safe mode).

If you want to save your Windows installation, you can use WinBuilder to build a copy of whatever the latest greatest recovery PE they have, then boot it up via a flash drive and do some virus and malware scanning and removal. I personally pulled the hard drive from the laptop and did a virus and malware scan on it via another computer, which fixed all the problems.

[Forboding Angel]

Well, to be fair, some virus' target the antivirus programs. Avast is what I have used for years and recommend it, but I have had times where shit was directly trying to attack avast. Remember to keep your av updated, and when dling torrents, always check the comments to make sure that there are no virii. One person always complains about a virus in torrent comments, because people on torrent sites are idiots. Just check for several people complaining about it, and look for knowledgeable responses, then weigh the risk.

[Machete234]

I recommend Avast, Kaspersky, or just extreme care as a user.

I usually use (extreme) care and no antivir programm because they seem a little like toys to me that eat my cpu time.
Viruses they usually dont come jumping through your internet line.
You install them by using cracks or dubious software that installs these toolbars, clicking on things in your email etc.

People often dont have a sense for these threats.
So I dont advise people not to install any antivir software because I dont want to reinstall their windows.

Anyways I should install an antivir prog anytime soon because on my new pc it wouldnt be a performance impact anymore.

[Sabutai]

Comprehensive thread on removing malware:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

[Peet]

I usually use (extreme) care and no antivir programm because they seem a little like toys to me that eat my cpu time.
Viruses they usually dont come jumping through your internet line.
You install them by using cracks or dubious software that installs these toolbars, clicking on things in your email etc.

I got Conficker from my roommate once, it happily hops over a lan or removable storage.

[SpliFF]

I was using Avast. While I wouldn't say I'm an extremely cautious user, I do know when to turn around. I was seriously just sitting on some normal sites that I frequent. I wonder if something "broke through" into my campus' network, and for whatever reason targeted me.

Sounds like IE browser or Flash exploit. You use IE?

[oksnoop2]

He uses Chrome.

[Neddie]

Viruses they usually dont come jumping through your internet line.
You install them by using cracks or dubious software that installs these toolbars, clicking on things in your email etc.

I got Conficker from my roommate once, it happily hops over a lan or removable storage.

Verified from personal experience.

[SpliFF]

I'm not sure if this is true of later versions of windows but all versions up to XP used to export your ENTIRE machine as hidden shares called $C, $D, etc. that could be accessed using the net commandline tool and a account name and password. Since many machines have a default "Administrator", no password account I ran into a virus once that took over a hotel by spreading through the lan using this account to write files to $C.

I run "Online Armour" on my work PC to avoid this sort of thing coming in off other PCs in the office.

Having said that cracks, autorun (USB and discs), free file sharing tools (aka limeware/bearshare), IE/Outlook and installing other "free" software without thoroughly checking the vendor are still the number one causes of infection.

I haven't got a virus or malware in 6 years because:
* I only install software I trust (Open Source and some commercial games).
* I don't use game cracks.
* I don't use filesharing.
* I don't use Microsoft browsers or email.
* I disable all services i don't need (especially 3rd party updaters and remote desktop).
* I run NoScript and block Flash except when I want it.
* I have Java disabled entirely.
* I don't open windows help files (.chm)
* I disabled system.ini and win.ini under msconfig
* I disabled autorun on USB and CD/DVDs
* I don't use Itunes or commercial IM that make good targets.
* I replaced Adobe Reader with Foxit Reader.
* I run a personal firewall (was ZoneAlarm, now Online Armor).

Being safe is a lot of work under Windows but unless you enjoy reinstalling everything every 6-12 months and losing all your work this sort of vigilance (and backups) pay off in the long run.

[Machete234]

I haven't got a virus or malware in 6 years because:

* I don't use game cracks. Those hits are often heuristic ones

* I disable all services i don't need (especially 3rd party updaters and remote desktop). The new windows has too many services you dont need until you need them and you have to figure out which one it was you disabled
* I run NoScript and block Flash except when I want it. I think this is important too, I dont know how people can live without this or adblock, yet I see them very often in class etc
* I have Java disabled entirely.
...
* I replaced Adobe Reader with Foxit Reader. At some point foxit was getting more on my nerves than adobe, but foxit used to be good and on a slow machine I would use foxit.
* I run a personal firewall (was ZoneAlarm, now Online Armor).
This is completely useless because your router should be your firewall

Being safe is a lot of work under Windows but unless you enjoy reinstalling everything every 6-12 months and losing all your work this sort of vigilance (and backups) pay off in the long run.

Anyways I think noobs (at least 70% of the population) need an anti virus program.
Users who know what theire doing not so much.

[Machete234]

He uses Chrome.

Some idiot installed it here and I still try to remove googleupdate

I usually use (extreme) care and no antivir programm because they seem a little like toys to me that eat my cpu time.
Viruses they usually dont come jumping through your internet line.
You install them by using cracks or dubious software that installs these toolbars, clicking on things in your email etc.

I got Conficker from my roommate once, it happily hops over a lan or removable storage.

Thats why noobs need antivirus so you dont get their viruses.
Auto run at removable media should be disabled thats microsofts fault not to set this to default.

I wonder if something "broke through" into my campus' network, and for whatever reason targeted me.

Not very likely especially if you have to use vpn like me.

[Teutooni]

Being safe is a lot of work under Windows but unless you enjoy reinstalling everything every 6-12 months and losing all your work this sort of vigilance (and backups) pay off in the long run.

Really?

I've been running with UAC off and without software firewalls or antivirus for years. I do use NoScript, but thats mainly because I cba to spend bandwidth nor attention on some silly animated banners.

Tbh I could use a reinstall because my system has been running for so long without a complete cleanup.