Avast WEBforum
Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: Circlip on November 18, 2009, 10:41:12 PM
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Ok! I feel so out of my depth asking this question :-[
I`ve had the use of your product for a year now and i`m quite happy with it. I mean it`s free though I did pay for a subcription to a support system. ??? :-\ I had also until last month a iolo system mechanic thing but my subcription has ended now, it keeps asking me to re-subscribe but would rather solve this problem first.
Now to my question.
Why? when I want to do a scan by a right click and left click to Start avast! Antivirus my screen changes by going tripple the size of font on the page, everything looks like it`s gone 3D, even my desktop window, all fuzzy but just about readable. Quick Scan takes about half an hour through 150000 files.
I just need a simple answer `cos i`m a complete computor numpty. ::)
Cheers Circlip
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Hi,
What operating system are you using windows 98, me or 2000 or xp or vista or 7?,
Something is quite wrong with your computer! have you tried to run any antispyware programes, Spybot search and destroy. and malware bytes to check if your computer has no spyware?.
You need a new key for avast when the original key has expired for pro & free version of avast.
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though I did pay for a subcription to a support system.
Exactly what does this mean, please?
Welcome to the forum, Circlip.
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Ah! Well, it seems i`ve spent nearly 30 quid on a FreeDownloadZone.com site the day before I got AVAST. So for some reason last year about 6th or 7th October i`ve wasted some of my well-earned cash. :o >:( Tarq57 Cheers for the welcome! :)
Right !!! I`ll move on to what bobo1 has asked ... i`m on XP Home Edition, I think i`m on "7" of something as everytime I switch the PC on it`s asking to me to have Explorer 8 ??? which I keep on telling it maybe later or just X it away.
Spybot, will that run whilst i`m with avast or do I shut avast down till I ask them/it to do a test? I took a look at this a few months ago and just dare not mix with something I don`t understand.
I have noticed between pages that are loading ... bottom left ... "waiting for about:blank" appears and not sure what that means but as the page uploads fairly quickly and i`m on my motorcycle websites reading where i`d like to be instead of sitting at my PC. 8)
I believe i`ve got about 14 months before avast chuck me out, probably close to that now so i`ll get a new key this week, thanks bobo1.
Thanks for these replies folks. Circlip
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HI,
You can run spybot search and destroy while avast is running to check if you have any spyware on your computer and remove what it finds. As i use this alongside avast on my computer. When installing spybot don't select t-timer install on the setup installer though.
Hope this helps
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As for webpage saying waiting for about blank when you are browsing. Im certain that about blank spyware is enbedded on your computer though. Just let spybot search and destroy run & remove what it finds.
Good luck!
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Hello Circlip,
Here's my suggestion.
- Download and install Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, update to the latest definition.
- Do quick scan, clear away any infected or malicious files.
- Repeat the above using full scan. Restart your computer if there's a need.
- Clear away temp files if u know how to, otherwise use CCleaner to clear them.
- Reboot, run Avast again. If the same thing happens, try to see if updating your graphic driver helps.
- Otherwise, download new installer for Avast + the latest definition. Go offline and do a reinstallation.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
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Hi folks,
I`ve had a look at the download page on Spybot and it comes up with a list of ??? :-\
Main Mirrors (3)
Then Hosted by Safer-Networking (4)
Also, Further Mirrors (4)
I feel like I don`t want a choice please ... just do it ... Ok i`ll have a stab at this one :-*
I`ll be back later with a result I hope.
Circlip ;)
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Ho hum ... so i`ve downloaded something from Spyware Doctor 2010 New Version = Current Version. 7.0.0.508. Ah! Great ... found a library of stuff I need to get rid of ... :'(
Just register and purchase online to fix my problems. Autralian Dollars that`ll be then. ???
I`d like to be a FREE secret agent, so how do I do this for FREE ::)
Cheers Circlip
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>:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( :o ::)
Most pissed off with what i`ve downloaded. They want me to pay for the privilage of deleting my viruses. I knew I was out of my depth with this and now I can`t exit there page/window. It`s still there after pressing all the ways of getting rid of it.
Am I allowed to swear on this forum FFS !!!
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You should really be swearing on the SpywareDoctor forum. ;)
This is a well known limitation of SpywareDoctor, and one of the reasons it's not much recommended here (although you will often see it recommended on a lot of sponsored search results.) Apparently it is fairly good, but I've heard reports also that it is fairly bloated.
Now to the recommendations.
zellist had a good one. Get it here. (http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php)
Also good, SAS (http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html) (get the free edition.)
Either program has a one time payment option if you want resident protection activated, very good value IMO, but either free version works very well indeed as a demand scanner.
Did you ever get Spybot working? It's a pretty good old workhorse, honest as, and still under development. "Mirrors" just allow one to download it (and updates) from a large choice of areas. Download speeds differ from mirror to mirror, depending on where you are. Generally, choose a mirror close to your geographical location, as the internet cable flies.
Avast will run happily with Spybot, and/or MBAM, and/or SAS installed. You must not try and install another AV with Avast present, however.
Now, your reference above to "7 something" is probably Internet Explorer 7. This browser is out of date and should be updated to #8, available through Windows Updates.
Keeping Windows up to date is highly recommended.
Also I'd be inclined to install and run Secunia PSI (http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/) (it's the "download" button near the top left of this page). This will scan and report on the status of most of your installed software, not just the Windows components. Especially important to keep Java and Flash players up to date, but really anything for which a vulnerability has been discovered and patched.
[edit] Get rid of SPyware Doctor by going to "control panel>add/remove programs" and once the list has loaded, select Spyware Doctor and uninstall it. A reboot will probably be needed after this.
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edited above message.
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Try and get spybot search and destroy from safernetworking site and install it and update it all the definitions and run a scan on your computer in safe mode. Access this by hitting f8 on boot up on your computer and selecting safe mode. and run a full scan & remove what it finds.
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Ha! Yes, just was going do that but forgot how but you led me there.
I did get to say some rude words to the team helper on Spyware Doctor. She gave me a "have a nice day" at the end. ::)
Ok! it`s going to take me a while to figure out what I should be doing to get my Spybot working, so no not yet Tarq57. SAS and Malwarebites are a separate things am I right?
Ha ha! I`ll get on with this Explorer 8 ASAP, it keeps coming up at start up :-[ and i`ll take a look at this Secuna PSI also but can`t see this whilst writting this.
It`s time to hit the sack over here. I`ll get back on here tomorrow evening sometime.
Ooooh! bobo1 ... Hi, well i`m about to hit the sack. Will read all this again tomorrow.
Cheers Circlip
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Ok! it`s going to take me a while to figure out what I should be doing to get my Spybot working, so no not yet Tarq57. SAS and Malwarebites are a separate things am I right?
Spybot normally installs in a fairly straightforward manner. Just download the installer file and run it.
SAS and MBAM are indeed two separate applications. (You can have as many or as few demand scanners as you want. 2 or maybe 3 is the maximum most folk would have.)
Ha ha! I`ll get on with this Explorer 8 ASAP, it keeps coming up at start up Embarrassed and i`ll take a look at this Secuna PSI also but can`t see this whilst writting this.
It`s time to hit the sack over here. I`ll get back on here tomorrow evening sometime
Get the main issues sorted first would be my advice. At least get MBAM installed and updated then run a scan. Have it remove everything found. Post the log here, please.
If you have any trouble installing it, or scanning with it, try SAS instead, and report back.
Once any discovered malware is removed (to be advised, depending on what the log shows) then you can get on to IE8, then have a look at installing the PSI.
It's fairly likely that at that stage you may have some more questions about reported insecure items, so lets just deal with any malware related issues, first.
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Hi folks,
So i`ve found something promising, all the w`s safer-networking download 1.6.2.46 on Spybot.
I`m gonna try that one now ;)
:) Circlip
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That'll work.
But what's wrong with trying MBAM first?
More state of the art, better detection and cleaning ability, smaller download IIRC.
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Oh ... yeah ... erm ... right ... ::)
It`ll take me a while to find MBAM, is it staring me in the face on spybot somewhere?
Ok, i`ll say it i`m confused. :-[ oh and Tarq57 ... as I said i`m out of my depth, I wouldn`t know how to post the log on here. ???
I have not ticked the Tea Time option as asked by bobo1 before I installed something ...
AND do I Create Registry Backup as asked by a box that pops up, seam a reasonable thing to do. :-\
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MBAM is download-able via the link titled "here" at this post. (http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=51027.msg432687#msg432687)
It has nothing to do with Spybot, although the nature of the program and its purpose is similar. (A bit like saying a Chevy is the same as a Honda. They're both vehicles, and there the similarity ends.)
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Hmmm... I can`t download mbam-setup.exe or my PC wont because the setup files are corrupted. Please obtain a new copy of program it is asking. ???
Now going to try SAS now ... and I have to log off all windows programs.
Might crack open a bottle of Malt Whisky at some point tonight.
Later ... Circlip
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Do you have a clean computer you can download the setup file (for MBAM) with?
If so, save it to a flash drive on that computer, and when prompted at the beginning of the download, save it as "circlip.exe".
transfer it from the flash drive to the desktop of your computer, then run it, see if it will install.
Post back.
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whoa whoa whoa ... I`ve now downloaded SAS and have done a scan. :D
And whoa whoa whoa again ... whats flash drive?
The best I can do is just dot down what SAS has found and put that up on here ...
like this:-
Adware Vundo Varient 3
Unclassified Uknown origin 1
Trojan.FakeAlert-IEBT 3
Trojan.Smitfraud Variant/IE Antispyware 1
Adware.TrackingCookie 7
Trojan.Media-Code c/V4 2
Adware.Vundo Varient/Rel 3
Thats on a quick scan and it`s took half an hour.
So what do I do now?
Oh by the way the Whisky is good :)
Circlip ;)
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Flash Drive = USB Stick of Flash Memory, a.k.a. Flash Drive.
The reason it was suggested is if your system was infected it might no have been able to access security sites to download it. So if you had access to a known clean PC you could have used that to download MBAM and copy to a Flash Drive so it can be transferred to the infected system.
What to do next:
Let SAS deal with the detections it has found, then try to download and run MBAM.
MalwareBytes Anti-Malware, On-Demand only in free version http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/malwarebytes/mbam-setup.exe (http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/malwarebytes/mbam-setup.exe), right click on the link and select Save As or Save File (As depending on your browser), save it to a location where you can find it easily later. Download it, install, update and run it and report the findings (it should product a log file).
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Hi,
Remove what malware bytes has found. Did you run this in safe mode ? as this is inportant to remove all malware as in safe mode only the basic operating system is running without the malware running on normal boot process. Run spybot search and destroy also in safe mode also! ( Access safe mode by hitting F8 all the time as the computer is booting and select safe mode only. and click on as Administrator default NO PASSWORD ) once clean try re installing avast and do a boot time scan.
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Remove what malware bytes has found. Did you run this in safe mode ?
@bobo1
Malwarebytes is not recomended to be run in safe mode
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=5590
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=259717&view=findpost&p=1435912
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@bobo 1,
At this stage the OP hasn't yet indicated if they can even get MBAM installed. So we're waiting for that.
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Morning folks, :)
As I had problems downloading spybot I then went to malwarebites and downloaded that. I did a scan though NOT in safe mode. This came up with a few things mentioned in the post on 21st Nov. I then downloaded spybot and did scan in safe mode, still the annoyance that i`ve got large size 3D fuzzy page and desktop window has a black background, though I wasn`t bothered.
This found 7 different problems and one of those is this: 1 entries malware (SBI $C490BA88)IE Toolbar ... HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-727277332-2133720857-1....
The others are very similar and must mean something to someone but ??? Also Virtumonde had three things I deleted and another 3 Zlob.Downloader.vdt. All these were in Registry either value, key or file. It gets very confusing but as I said 7 problems sorted.
So then to do a scan with malwarebites in safe mode (adminstrator) as I hadn`t read the messages left by Pondus ... whoops!
I just followed the instructions = English (US) Ok and then an update box = yes. Then a new box, Protect Home Page (!!!) = yes as it was recommended to do so.
Oh! this scan was completed very quickly. No harmfull software was detected :D
I will now re-install avast as recommended by bobo1 ... a boot time scan ... is that in safe mode or not?
Cheers Circlip
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I think you may be getting MBAM and SAS mixed up.
SAS has the option to "protect home page", MBAM does not.
...The others are very similar and must mean something to someone but...
Maybe they would, if you posted the needed information.
Please attach the recent scan reports from SAS and MBAM (if you have actually run both of them) by using the "additional options" button at the lower left of the forum "reply" area, with your next reply.
These reported infections are potentially serious. Worst case scenario, you could basically loose all your files.
Please be specific and accurate in your answers; the quality of help you might get depends on it.
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I would try & run avast in safe mode, virtumonde is very bad! & outright dangerous. And at least run spybot search and destroy in safe mode. Normally when i service computers with a bad case of viruses or spyware will normally go and end up formatting the computer and throw in the towel! as some spyware is very hard to get rid of. In your case its bad! Need a hijack this log to read what start up processes that is on your computer. Hijack this can be downloaded from trend micro.
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Why suggest a scan in safe mode for avast when the user can schedule a boot-time scan which is even better.
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Hi David,
If Circlip Avast install is stable and working a boot time scan would be better than safe mode. I think he has virtumonde traces on his computer though? in his message previously.
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So what, any traces would be irrelevant. If they can be detected they should be easier removed in the boot-time scan before windows starts rather than in safe mode where some malware can still run and elude detection/removal.
If they can't be detected in normal mode this is either because they are being protected (in which case the boot-time scan is more effective) or that the traces, if you mean registry entries, then these won't be found as avast doesn't specifically scan the registry (in normal, safe mode or boot-time).
If a spyware/malware detection is found by avast then it will check for associated registry entries, but it doesn't do a specific registry scan as anti-spy/malware applications do and that is why you see specific anti-spy/malware in my signature.
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Hi folks :)
As I have now done all the testing on my downloads of Spybot and malwarebites in various ways and even gota new reg key for my avast! i`m sort of happy with the results. Though I still get this 3D effect and my background photo trippled in size. :o
Though of coarse getting mixed-up with whats happing when i`m doing a scan ... well through the process I write things down and on a pad and then write them out on here.
I have taken a look on Spybot and i`ve found a page with some results but it`s above me of how to put those on here ??? ::) so i`ll write them out on my pad and again on to here.
Does anyone else feel like this and should just take my/your PC to a repair person??? And to add to this, I have an External Hard Drive (bought for me and never used) and could use that to put my all important family/friends, oh and motorbike travel photos on.
Thanks for all these replies guys and hope it is help to others that read this form.
Back soon with results of Spybot. ;)
Circlip
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Spybot results ...
AntiSpyCheck (1)
IE toolbar
H-KEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-727277332-2133720857-1603154396-1006\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser\{65742936-8............ 23/11/09 13:58:33
Zlob.Downloader.vdt (3)
1st ... Settings ... is all the same as above but changes after ... \InternetExplorer\NewWindows\Allow\*.securemana........ 23/11/09 13:58:35
2nd ... All the same again after ... \Allow\*.safetyinclud............. 23/11/09 13:58:34
3rd ... All the same again after ... \Allow\*.securewebi.................. 23/11/09 13:58:34
What ever comes after the dots ............... i`m not sure
Virtumonde (3)
Autorun Settings(PrintDrive)
1st ...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current\version\Run\PrintDrive 23/11/09 13:58:35
2nd ...
Configuration
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cvsicdyy.ini................23/11/09 13:58:35
3rd ...
UserSettings
HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-727277332-2133720857-1603154396-1006\AtlMon.ReusableComp.5. 23/11/09 13:58:35
Phew!!! Circlip
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Morning all,
So ... this morning when trying to log on, switch on, get on the internet, find my home page ... NADA !!! :'(
Click on the Start, click on Windows Internet Explorer and the page opens but then thats it ... i`m well P****d off !!!
I see that clock works and my little Avast (a) spins now and then ... the Refresh (F5) doesn`t work or the X on the top right. All my icons are there and havn`t gone as they usually do, even (i) of avast is still there. I try my ISP to see if i`m conected, Oh yes I am!!!
I think i`ll start again, so I go to close window and a box comes up to end session I click this and that = send error report ... It always says/asks why and this occation I pressed it = problems caused by Microsoft. Oh Windows Internet Explorer ask me if I would like Explorer 8 ... I think why not, click on that. My normal page/window came up and i`m on the internet. WOW !!!
So i`m on an another window and this says Troubleshooting :-
Amongst other things, If I have downloaded anything like
= Spyware,adware, or other malicious spyware, :P blah blah!!!
= Internet Explorer add-ons
= Computor viruses
???
Hmmm ... this means what exactly?
Well, as you see i`m now on the internet but do I have to do somethng different to just get to the internet?
I am a very confused old git and very dis-chuffed.
Circlip
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Have you clicked on remove selected items what spybot search and destroy found?! and rebooted your computer after this.
If your internet is working have you tried to update avast ? 1 Right click A Icon, 2 Highlight UPDATING 3 Select iAVS to update Avast manualy and do a boot time scan.
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If IE7 is possibly faulty you can reset it. Go to control pannel, select internet options, select advanced tab. press reset button. This will rebuild IE7 to defaults. And you can then set your home page by going to tools internet options in top box set your home page to what you want and press use current.