Avast found viruses What now?

[LoriGeo]

Hi, I just ran a scan with avast and it found 5 viruses, 2 VBS:Malware [Gen], 2 Win32:Trojan-gen. {Delphi} and a Win32:Trojan-gen. {VB}

I put them in the Virus Chest as suggested by the program.  What do I do now?

 

[nobodyz]

Just a quick answer from another new user: I think you did what you were supposed to do.
Quarantining viruses is what a good Anti-virus program does, and that's what Avast did
for you! 

[LoriGeo]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.  I'm hoping for a more in depth answer from someone in the know.  I'm new at this stuff, so haven't a clue if I'm done with this, or there is more to do.

 

[CharleyO]

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Welcome to the forums, LoriGeo.   

As nobodyz stated, you have done the right thing. We usually recommend leaving them there for several weeks but you can leave them there as longs as you wish. They can do no harm to your computer from the virus chest. Leaving them in the chest is recommended just in case there is a false positive, if some files might be needed system files, or other needed program files. After several weeks and you see no adverse effect to your computer or programs, they can be safely deleted from the chest and they will be gone. Delete only those files in the Infected section of the chest.


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[LoriGeo]

Thanks Charley,  That helps a lot. 

 :

[Lisandro]

What do I do now?

Be patient and follow the general cleaning procedure. The majority of the programs should be left installed in your computer and will be useful later, if you want to scan your computer again.

1. Disable System Restore on Windows ME or Windows XP. System Restore cannot be disabled on Windows 9x and it's not available in Windows 2k. After boot you can enable System Restore again after step 3.

2. Clean your temporary files. You can use CleanUp or the Windows Advanced Care features for that.

3. Schedule a boot time scanning with avast. Start avast! > Right click the skin > Schedule a boot-time scanning. Select for scanning archives. Boot. Other option is scanning in SafeMode (repeatedly press F8 while booting).

4. It will be good if you download, install, update and run AVG Antispyware. Some users recommend SUPERantispyware, Spyware Terminator and/or a-squared (take care about false positives).
If any infection is detected, better and safer is send the file to Quarantine than to simple delete than.

5. If you still detecting any strange behavior or even you're sure you're not clean, maybe it will be good to test your machine with anti-rootkit applications. I suggest AVG, Panda and/or F-Secure BlackLight.

6. Also, if you still detecting strange behaviors or you want to be sure you're clean, maybe making a HijackThis log to post here and, specially, scan and submit to on-line analysis the RunScanner log would help to identify the problem and the solution.

7. After you're clean, use the immunization of SpywareBlaster or, which is better, the Windows Advanced Care features of spyware/adware cleaning and removal.

8. Finally, when you're clean, check for insecure applications with Secunia Software Inspector to update insecure applications and avoid reinfection.

[CharleyO]

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You are welcome, LoriGeo. 

Please come back often, learn more, and maybe help others.


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