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Post by maldemarstor on Mar 29, 2014 13:12:02 GMT -8
So, first off, let me note that I acknowledge I was very stupid.
That said, my computer was working fine until four days ago. Then, while cleaning out my junk mail, I noticed a phishing attempt. Trying to do the right thing, I opened it so I could forward it to PayPal. Historically, when I've done this in the past, Norton 360 has (at least seemingly) protected me.
Since then, my computer has slowed WAY down. Doing very mundane things is now extremely painful. Opening pdfs, Office documents, and webpages is now a chore. Oh, and PayPal subsequently confirmed it was, in fact, a phishing attempt.
I have run full scans of Norton 360 in normal and safe modes and run Power Eraser in normal and safe modes. Nada.
I really don't think it's my imagination, so I am coming here.
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Quads
Malware Removalists
In New Zealand
Posts: 9,387
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Post by Quads on Mar 29, 2014 13:38:48 GMT -8
Do Not use advanced tools or any tools used on this board without supervision.
Malware removal can be difficult over a forum as it is, without a user doing their own actions, the tools used are more advanced and thus have added danger that comes with that. This board is protected so that only Malware removers, Admin and Mods can reply to a users thread but all members can create a thread asking for removal of Infection(s)
Make changes to your computer only when the Malware Expert specifically states it. The Malware Experts request specific steps to be followed, as some malware removal requires multiple steps and evaluations along the way. When you take other advice or make other changes, this often negates the work done by the expert, and can sometimes result in an inoperable system. This also includes any tools or steps other than those the from the Malware Expert. We need to be certain about the state of your system to see what actually is going on, and what is required to fix the system while not harming the rest of the system. Most often, well-intentioned independent efforts can make things much worse. The malware remediation tools are more advanced than othe tools, and can often create bigger problems when used without expert guidance.
Follow all the directions in order, and to the end. Please perform all steps in the order they are listed in each set of instructions. As you might imagine, some steps are a bit complicated. If things are not clear, be sure to stop and let the Malware Expert know the problem. We don't mind clarifying a situation, as others might have the same question. If a tool does not run as expected, don't force it. Stop the steps, and update the forum topic with the current situation. It is better stop and let us know, than to force a tool to run and cause bigger problems. Also, when your computer is clean and we are finished, the Expert will tell you we are finished. Malware removal is a process that requires verification, and we want to be sure your system is completely clean before we're done.
When describing your problem, provide as much information as possible, as soon as possible. Explain as best you can what happens with your computer, e.g. it beeps three times, black screen with cursor then goes no further, system gets stuck at the Windows startup logo, etc. This helps the expert to understand what is happening to the system and what may be wrong. If your computer cannot start up successfully please provide details about your installed Windows Operating System, including the Version, Edition and if it is a 32bit or a 64bit system. (e.g. Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit)
When the user follow instructions and things still go a little haywire, and it does happen, it is up to us to sort the extra problem out.
Take longer to read if your language is not English, so that hopefully it is understood.
Reply stating you have read the post fully.
I also if it is busy (have a lot of systems at once to deal with) like being in a supermarket checkout line, waiting their turn, I use the forum like a checkout line.
Was it an Email with an attachment or just a link??
Quads
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Post by maldemarstor on Mar 29, 2014 15:11:08 GMT -8
I have read the post fully and acknowledge everything.
I do not remember if the email had an attachment or not. However, what made me first think I'd made a mistake was when I opened it AFTER moving it to my inbox (I couldn't forward from my junk mail box). When I reopened it, there was clearly some active content that had been prevented from opening the first time.
Incidentally, I'm using a Sager laptop: 16 MB RAM; Windows 7, SP1; i7-2760QM 2.4 GHz. The only AV/anti-malware software I am using is Norton 360.
I followed the help suggestions on the Norton website to check possible performance inhibitors. Besides turning off a few services (Bigfoot, Adobe Updater, Mozilla Maintenance, and Skype Updater), I haven't messed around with anything since I finished my last Power Eraser scan in safe mode (this was before I posted here earlier today).
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Post by maldemarstor on Mar 29, 2014 15:13:45 GMT -8
Oh, also, I seem to be getting a lot of shockwave script errors now. I don't remember installing it -- which isn't to say I did or didn't -- and it's not on my list of programs to uninstall. What's weird, though, is that I might see one of those errors once in a given week or two. Now I'm getting them any time I open a few windows to read the news or do research.
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Quads
Malware Removalists
In New Zealand
Posts: 9,387
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Post by Quads on Mar 29, 2014 15:23:28 GMT -8
Just because if it had an attachment the Ransomcrypt (Crypto group) uses email attachments and then the likes of Zeus (Zbot) to encrypt personal files on a system and all connected (lettered drives)
Is your Windows 7 32 bit or 64 bit??
Quads
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Post by maldemarstor on Mar 30, 2014 9:53:24 GMT -8
64 bit. It's much better today, but still noticeably sluggish. At least I can get some work done now while we work through its issues.
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Quads
Malware Removalists
In New Zealand
Posts: 9,387
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Post by Quads on Mar 30, 2014 10:19:57 GMT -8
Read Slowly and all of it.Please download www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/farbar-recovery-scan-tool/ You need to download the 64 bit version.Place FRST64.exe onto your desktop from where ever it downloaded to. Start FRST64 that is on your DesktopThe tool will start to run.When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer. (if it does) Press Scan button. It will make a logs ( FRST.txt and addition.txt) on your Desktop Please attach the log in your reply back. Or open the logs in notepad and copy the logs and paste back in a message as a reply. Quads
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Post by maldemarstor on Mar 30, 2014 13:56:21 GMT -8
Do you mind if I attach them to you in a private message? I'm not wild about posting them where anyone can open them.
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Post by maldemarstor on Mar 30, 2014 13:59:20 GMT -8
Alternatively, do you mind if I delete my last name from the text files? Then I won't mind posting them.
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Quads
Malware Removalists
In New Zealand
Posts: 9,387
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Post by Quads on Mar 30, 2014 14:01:23 GMT -8
OK, it means I am gone as the user has modified logs
Quads
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