computer repeatedly getting infected

A

Aquadoodle

New Member
Alright, I have a problem. More specifically, my dad has a problem.

We own a desktop computer, and that is the one my dad always uses. Every few months it gets badly infected with something and is temporarily unusable. This has happened about 7-10 times in a 3 year period. The past 4 times have been caused by something called "Antivir".

I have no idea why that computer is always getting infected, especially since none of our other computers have ever had any problems. Except once. My dad once started using our other desktop, and within a week it was virus-infested. (noticing a trend?)

It could very well be that my dad is somehow causing this, but I really hope it isn't him. I mean, how dumb would you have to be?

Is there anything he can do to ensure that this doesn't happen again? We are all so tired of this. And also, could it just be that he is an idiot? I've repeatedly told him to be very careful online, and he says that he has been...but then he goes and tells me "...yeah, I sometimes click on stuff, who doesn't?" Stuff. He will never tell me what this mysterious "stuff" is. Even though it could be helpful in figuring out what NOT to click on...

We need help.
 
I think you probably need to talk to your dad, it does seem like he is clicking things he probably shouldn't.

Also, just make sure you have decent anti virus, anti malware etc... software installed. I would set this up to do automatic scans every so often.
 
Yep very right how ever. You should tell ur dad to never download stuff that claims to be free and is a program. Example "free nu*e pictures, just download this free computer software" and it turns out to be a virus. And your computer may be infected with a tiimed virus. have your computer been very slow since first infected? Or more important have you ever tried to remove the virus? Please respond and our friendly fourm will be with you shortly. (John)
 
obviously get a good AV on there and make sure it is up to date...and give him an account without admin rights so he cant install anything that show slow him down.
 
Where's Johnb35 when you need him? ;)
Download malwarebytes and run a full system scan, for a start. Then we can get to the nitty-gritty and logfiles and such :L
 
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Yeah, it sounds like he is doing some questionable things. I would talk to him about it and stop him from whatever he is doing if possible. As for getting rid of the virus, here are the specific directions.


Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from here or here and save it to your desktop.
  • Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  • At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to
    • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
    • and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  • then click Finish.
  • If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version. Please keep updating until it says you have the latest version.
  • Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
  • When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
  • Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
  • A log will be saved automatically which you can access by clicking on the Logs tab within Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

If you continue to experience problems after doing this, please post a HijackThis log by doing the following:

Download the HijackThis installer from here.
Run the installer and choose Install, indicating that you accept the licence agreement. The installer will place a shortcut on your desktop and launch HijackThis.

Click Do a system scan and save a logfile

Most of what HijackThis lists will be harmless or even essential, don't fix anything yet.

Post the logfile that HijackThis produces along with the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware log
 
I would have been here a long time ago but it just sounds like he got the infections removed but the dad doesn't know how to surf web safely or don't care. Hopefully the OP will post expressing what he needs help with. If it has to deal with his dad and teaching him, it seems he's been told but don't care.
 
Hey, after you have your computer cleaned using one of the methods other users gave you, I have two suggestions for you:
1. You should install a decent anti virus but in my experience "power users" like your dad won't be bothered by it much. In other words with a bit of persistence they'll be back on the virus track in no time. Sadly. However, try this: now-a-days almost all routers have "parental control" feature. Call your ISP and ask them how to activate it on yours. This will disallow anybody on your network to open sites with certain content. Some, though, will only do that if you specify the names of the sites you want blocked and then you'll probably have the same issue soon, because the web is huge and the choice - unlimited! If that is the case, look at his browser history, the visited pages are probably still there. :). Its worth a shot, anyway. When you're done blocking, you'll have to set up admin name and password, so he won't change it again (although he probably won't know how to).
2. My other option is this: my guess is you're running some version of Windows and, while, this may be the simplest and "friendliest" OS, it is also the most vulnerable. Here it goes: get rid of it and install Ubuntu. Set up your firewall and never look back. Then make sure you don't give your dad your admin password for the computer. He probably wouldn't hurt it but you never know. If you know nothing of Ubuntu, look it up on the net.
Please, let us know how it worked out.
 
Assuming this is a Windows install onto your fathers pc MSE and Malwarebytes (on-demand) If you have an XP you can add additional layered security, Windows SteadyState.
 
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