Spyware experts?

[Tdog]

My laptop has been infected with a bug that I have been told is the spyware, virtumondo. It causes unwanted ads [webpages] to appear over windows that I have requested. This usually happens just as I enter a URL or click on a favorite. I slows me down quite a bit. Do any of you have any experience with this gremlin?

Thanks,

Jack

 

[Hakim]

Go get both of these free software programs. Install, then run : 1) Run Ad-Aware 2007 Free - Lavasoft; 2) Spybot-S&D!

Make sure you get the correct version for your operating system. Get the free versions.

That should take care of it.

 

[BigE_]

This will get you going as well, and nothing to install.

Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro USA

 

[Dutch445]

these guys are awesome when it comes to getting you cleaned up,
try it out:

HijackThis™ Logs and Infections Removal - What the Tech

 

[Jimbrown]

Mandatory Steps Before Requesting Assistance Security Cleanup FAQ - dslreports.com

Trojan Vundo/Virtumonde/Winfixer Removal Security Cleanup FAQ - dslreports.com

Thes two sites should fix you right up.

 

[Tig]

I use the same two tools that Hakim uses but I don't think they will be effective against virtumondo.
Here are instructions from Symantec to get rid of it.

 

[Luremaker]

I was having similar problems with my laptop. I tend to loan it to a number of people who do not always practice safe web surfing etc. My solution was to dump XP and install Simply Mepis which is a nice version of desktop linux. Really easy to set up and use even on a laptop. This might work well for you. Linux is totally immune to XP viruses and spyware and very secure. Do not worry about your special XP software as you can run your version XP right inside of a Virtualbox. It is really nice never having to worry about those viruses anymore.

 

[Tdog]

Thanks all - - I've got plenty of things to try. Knew you'd come through.

Jack

 

[MossRoad]

When did it start acting up?

The first thing I would do, if it is XP, would be to run a system restore to a day or two before the problems started. Then install some anti spyware software and run it to make sure it is not in some of your data files.

 

[MossRoad]

Maybe I should ask if most folks even know about system restore in XP. Lots of folks don't know about it. It is one of the very few good things from Microsoft. If comes free with XP. Set it up to do regular system check points, like once a week. Also, manually run a system checkpoint before installing any software. If the software goobers up the machine, just restore to the checkpoint and it is gone.