My New laptop infected by my OLD one - how?

C

ComputerIdiot

New Member
Sorry to be waffling, I need to give you the full picture.

I protected my old laptop with AVG, Malwarebytes, ZoneAlarm and Superantispyware (all free versions). I usually ran either a Malwarebytes or Superantispyware scan each day as I did use free adult tube sites - the supposedly safe ones, which advertise.

In early December Malwarebytes found 2 infections. Because I needed to use my laptop for shopping, after quarantining the infected files, I reset to factory settings. The thinking behind this was to 'overwrite' anything changed by viruses or malware.

After doing the reset, I installed all of the above security programs. I ran a Superantispyware scan and found 200+ issues!! I took the remedial action recommended, ran scans of all the other programs, took the recommended actions and shut down and switched off that laptop. It hasn't been switched back on since.

I then bought a brand new laptop, in the hope that I could now use internet shopping, etc, in full confidence.

The first thing I did was to visit the sites I needed to download AVG, ZoneAlarm, Malwarebytes and Supersntispyware.

I then ran a Superantispyware scan. It found 200+ issues on a BRAND NEW LAPTOP. I also noted that these issues had the same names as I had seen infecting the old laptop.

Someone walked me through the steps necessary to remove the malware and viruses.

But I am left baffled - and worried.

HOW could an old laptop which was switched off infect another one when the old one was not connected to the WiFi network?

Is or was my router somehow infected?

I now have a cheap iPad to use for financial stuff and shopping but am scared to connect it to the WiFi, in case it IS infected. Is this a possibility and will it threaten my security and privacy on an iPad?
 
Without seeing the logs and knowing exactly what you had its hard telling. Visiting adult sites will get you infected with some major stuff. And if you did a factory reset and installed programs and it found 200 issues then you are either downloading those security programs from the wrong websites or visiting places you shouldn't be. A machine not connected to the network can't infect any other machine. Now there is such a thing as dns poisoning in a router.
 
johnb35 said:
Without seeing the logs and knowing exactly what you had its hard telling. Visiting adult sites will get you infected with some major stuff. And if you did a factory reset and installed programs and it found 200 issues then you are either downloading those security programs from the wrong websites or visiting places you shouldn't be. A machine not connected to the network can't infect any other machine. Now there is such a thing as dns poisoning in a router.
Click to expand...

Hello, thanks for your reply. :)

But the first sites I visited on the new laptop were only to download the anti-virus and anti-malware, all from Download Cnet, I think, so what went on to infect this new laptop?

I have got copies of the logs if you want to see them?
 
The VCR King said:
How does that work? Is it like the firmware in the router is infected and the router spreads the virus to any connected device?
Click to expand...


[offtopic]ARP cache poisoning. This is why I use Comodo firewall as it protects the ARP cache when the option is on. This is good if you use hotspots. Another thing to do is set your WIFI adapter's DNS manually to something like OpenDNS. You don't even need to create an account. If you are in Vegas for DEFCON you will heed my advice. LOL[/offtopic]

Anyway...
 
ComputerIdiot said:
Hello, thanks for your reply. :)

But the first sites I visited on the new laptop were only to download the anti-virus and anti-malware, all from Download Cnet, I think, so what went on to infect this new laptop?

I have got copies of the logs if you want to see them?
Click to expand...


Cnet is bad business as they sometimes pack crap with their installers.

Use these links.


http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

https://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/

AVG isn't that good. I installed Bitdefender Free on my aunts computer and my uncle isn't very computer savvy, well it caught 15 viruses. http://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

http://www.herdprotect.com/

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

If your visiting adult sites I would consider the use of Sandboxie for your browser.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top