Ransomware - PCEU virus

[Fiery]

You don't have to delete those, they are false positives.

For AOL, Go to add/remove programs and remove anything that starts with AOL in the list. Then run the installer again and see if that works. Or did you already tried that?

 

[Fryern]

Yes I've done that twice

 

[Fiery]

Ok, uninstall AOL again. Then,

Please download SystemLook from one of the links below and save it to your Desktop.
Download Mirror #1
Download Mirror #2

• Double-click SystemLook.exe to run it.
• Copy the content of the following codebox into the main textfield:

:filefind
*AOL*

:folderfind
*AOL*

:Regfind
*AOL*

• Click the Look button to start the scan.
• When finished, a notepad window will open with the results of the scan. Please post this log in your next reply.

Note: The log can also be found on your Desktop entitled SystemLook.txt

 

[Fryern]

Hi

Please find the attached log as requested.

 

[Fiery]

Did you do the search after you uninstalled AOL? There are still ALOT of AOL files remaining on the PC.

I'm thinking we should remove every trace of AOL off your PC then installing a fresh copy. The uninstaller sometimes leave behind files that can affect the reinstallation.

 

[Fryern]

Need a little help there.

I do not want to lose what they call the PFC Personal Filing Cabinet or my email addresses. The delete option gives you the option to keep these so the next version can pick them up. So I always take that option.

I'll do a search to see what is obviously not PFC etc.

 

[Fiery]

Are you having trouble with the AOL instant messenger or the client?

(Sorry I don't use AOL, I'm checking their website to see what they offer and see if there is a fix)

 

[Fryern]

The whole program. It does not want to start up. That applies to 9.6 and 9.7. I get a message that windows is searching for a solution but it does not find one. I can pick up emails going in via Firefox. Not sure why but when Firefox opens up it opens up in the aol Uk news page. It didn't do that before.

 

[Fiery]

The home page you can change by going into the browser settings. You can access that by clicking the orange button on the top left corner of firefox.

Are you using any firewalls? If so, check to see if it's blocking AOL or you may need to allow AOL to access the internet.

 

[Fryern]

Hi Again,

aol looks like it is working. I deleted anything that had an aol name except the PFC. Turned off the firewall. Uninstalled anything with aol. Loaded aol 9.7 and it appears to function.

Thanks,

I'll update you in a week as to where I am but it appears you killed the virus.

Fry

 

[Fiery]

Good to hear

If you are no longer experiencing any other issues, your PC is now clean!

Double click on OTL to run it

• Click on the Cleanup button at the top.
• You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the Cleanup process. Choose Yes
• This will remove itself and other tools we may have used.

Also, open adwCleaner and click Uninstall

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Now that your PC is clean, I recommend you to create a new System Restore point then purge the old ones after.

For XP
How to create a Restore Point in XP
Delete all restore points except the most recent one

For Vista
Create a restore point
Delete all but the most recent restore point

For Windows 7
Create a restore point
Delete all but the most recent restore point - Click the Delete all but the most recent restore point link

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Keep your system updated

• Keeping your programs (especially Adobe and Java products) updated is essential. Update Checker will notify you if any of your programs require an update.
• Microsoft releases patches for Windows and Office products regularly to patch up Windows and Office product bugs and vulnerabilities.
• Please ensure you update your system regularly and have automatic updates on. You can learn how to turn Automatic Updates on here

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I also recommend you to switch your antivirus program to a better one. Here are some suggestions:

• avast! 7 Home Edition - Don't use it with Online Armor
• Avira AntiVir Personal
• BitDefender Antivirus Free Edition
• Microsoft Security Essentials

In addition to your antivirus, you need additional protection such as a firewall and behavioural blocker.

• Online Armor
• Comodo Firewall - If you are an advance user
• ZoneAlarm Free Firewall
• PC Tool Firewall Plus

Other steps that you may want to do to further protect your system/files:

• Sandboxie - "Quarantines" your browser so anything that you do in it will be isolated from your system.
• Backup important files regulary to an external hard-drive or USB

Here are only a few suggestions that will improve your system security. Should you wish to allow us to make full recommendations and set your PC up with maximum security, please start a thread here. Our community of PC enthusiasts and experts will give you feedback and help you secure your system from future malware infections.

Should you want to try a product but don't know how it performs, here is a list of current reviews to help you decide.

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Internet Explorer may be the most popular browser but it's definitely not the most secure browser. Consider using other browsers with addition add-ons to safeguard your system while browsing the internet.

Firefox is a more secure, faster browser than Internet Explorer. Firefox contains less vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of drive-by downloads. In addition, you can add the following add-ons to increase security.

• KeyScramber - Encrypts your keystrokes to protect you against keyloggers that steals personal & banking information
• AdBlock - Disable/blocks advertisements on websites so you won't accidentally click on a malicious ad.
• NoScript - Disables Flash & Java contents to avoid exploits or drive-by attacks
• Web of Trust - Shows the website rating by other users and blocks dangerous and poor-rated sites

Google Chrome is another good browser that is faster and more secure than Internet Explorer by having a sandbox feature. Additionally, you can add the following add-on to Chrome to heighten security.

• AdBlock

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Lastly, it is important to perform system maintenance on a regular basis. Here are a few tools and on-demand scanners that you should keep & use every 1-2 weeks to keep your system healthy.

• CCleaner
• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

Other than that, stay safe out there! If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to ask

My virus removal help is always free. Should you wish to show your appreciation via a donation, it will be much appreciated.
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[Fryern]

Hi Again,

For Vista
Create a restore point
Delete all but the most recent restore point


So I have tried create a few times, and I get the following message

Catastrophic Failure ( O x 8000 FFFF ).
Also no restore points are being generated

Otherwise I have MSE, Malawarebytes, and Sandboxie running.

Thanks,

 

[Fiery]

Hi,

Do you have system restore enabled on the C-drive? Goto Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > System. On the left, click System Protection.

See if there is a check next to the C-drive under Available Disks. If not, turn on System Protection for a hard disk by selecting the check box next to the disk, and then click OK.

 

[Fryern]

Hi Fiery,

The C drive is ticket so is a folder marked recovery. If I untick the folder there is a warning. If I select create, it asked for a brief description for my reference, and then the create option becomes available. Click it and the message always appears -critical error etc.

Also for most recent restore point the 'showing' is none for both folder and C.

 

[Fiery]

Please follow the steps here to see if it solves your problem.

Run DiskCleanup - Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup

After disk cleanup, goto Start - type in Search box - COMMAND find at top of list - RIGHT CLICK - RUN AS ADMIN

sfc /scannow

Then run a checkdisk with instructions here:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

 

[Fryern]

Hi again,

I did all that and ran the chkdsk from the command prompt. It took a good 2 hrs.

My files are backed up but I still get the same message if trying to set up a restore point.

Otherwise the PC is working very well.

Thanks,

Fry

 

[Fiery]

Try the steps here:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-system/unable-to-create-system-restore-point-error-code/2124c930-6966-4c22-a8c9-dd3bb4ad9d23

 

[Fryern]

Hi Fiery,

I'll give that all a go. Interestingly I do have Norton on my PC came with BT broadband.

I'll let you know how I get on. Have to be a weekend job,

Cheers

Fry