I'm having trouble ridding my desktop computer of ransomware virus. Every time I start up my computer, I get the following pop-up that locks up my computer:
I rebooted in safe mode and checked out a few websites and videos on my laptop. However, I was unable to locate any of the files recommended for removal (either in C: drive or regedit).
So, I ran Malwarebytes, and found three files called 'hellomoto' under \Users\****\AppData\Roaming\. I removed these files, but then when restarting, the virus was still there and I remained locked out (I don't know if these files returned, or just weren't responsible for the pop-up).
Can anyone assist or point me in the right direction? I'm not very good with computers and am now at a complete loss as to how to proceed.
One final question. Can anything bad happen security-wise whilst I'm trying to find a solution, or is my computer simply inactive/inaccessible?
When the page loads click on the blue combofix download link next to the BleepingComputer Mirror.
Save the file to your windows desktop. The combofix icon will look like this when it has downloaded to your desktop.
We are almost ready to start ComboFix, but before we do so, we need to take some preventative measures so that there are no conflicts with other programs when running ComboFix. At this point you should do the following:
Close all open Windows including this one.
Close or disable all running Antivirus, Antispyware, and Firewall programs as they may interfere with the proper running of ComboFix. Instructions on disabling these type of programs can be found here.
Once these two steps have been completed, double-click on the ComboFix icon found on your desktop. Please note, that once you start ComboFix you should not click anywhere on the ComboFix window as it can cause the program to stall. In fact, when ComboFix is running, do not touch your computer at all. The scan could take a while, so please be patient.
Please click on I agree on the disclaimer window.
ComboFix will now install itself on to your computer. When it is done, a blue screen will appear as shown below.
ComboFix is now preparing to run. When it has finished ComboFix will automatically attempt to create a System Restore point so that if any problems occur while using the program you can restore back to your previous configuration. When ComboFix has finished creating the restore point, it will then backup your Windows Registry as shown in the image below.
Once the Windows Registry has finished being backed up, ComboFix will attempt to detect if you have the Windows Recovery Console installed. If you already have it installed, you can skip to this section and continue reading. Otherwise you will see the following message as shown below:
At the above message box, please click on the Yes button in order for ComboFix to continue. Please follow the steps and instructions given by ComboFix in order to finish the installation of the Recovery Console.
Please click on yes in the next window to continue scanning for malware.
ComboFix will now disconnect your computer from the Internet, so do not be surprised or concerned if you receive any warnings stating that you are no longer on the Internet. When ComboFix has finished it will automatically restore your Internet connection.
ComboFix will now start scanning your computer for known infections. This procedure can take some time, so please be patient.
While the program is scanning your computer, it will change your clock format, so do not be concerned when you see this happen. When ComboFix is finished it will restore your clock settings to their previous settings. You will also see the text in the ComboFix window being updated as it goes through the various stages of its scan. An example of this can be seen below.
When ComboFix has finished running, you will see a screen stating that it is preparing the log report.
This can take a while, so please be patient. If you see your Windows desktop disappear, do not worry. This is normal and ComboFix will restore your desktop before it is finished. Eventually you will see a new screen that states the program is almost finished and telling you the programs log file, or report, will be located at C:\ComboFix.txt.
When ComboFix has finished, it will automatically close the program and change your clock back to its original format. It will then display the log file automatically for you.
Now you just click on the edit menu and click on select all, then click on the edit menu again and click on copy. Then come to the forum in your reply and right click on your mouse and click on paste.
In your next reply please post:
The ComboFix log
A fresh HiJackThis log
An update on how your computer is running
3.
Download theHijackThisinstaller 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.
Vista and Windows 7 users must right click on the hijackthis icon and click on run as. If the run as option doesn't appear then press and hold the shift key while right clicking on the icon to get it to appear.
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.
When the hijackthis log appears in a notepad file, click on the edit menu, click select all, then click on the edit menu again and click on copy. Come back to your reply and right click on your mouse and click on paste.
