Facing a spyware

Resident Artist

hi guys,
Yesterday when I was browsing the net I downloaded some files and plug ins for software but after a while 3 warnings started to appear

I even cant upload a Pick for u to see what am talking about, and also the My computer and documents and control panel disappeared from the start menu as well as the view all programs button.

Every time is says click "yes" (in the warning) to remove the spyware and also it says that I need to pay for that.
oh, and the "porn" icons" that appears on my desktop . guys I really feel sick and crazy.

Its the 1st time I see this warnings and I think its not from my firewall or antivirus.
and also after that all the mouse pointer started heading to the "start" bar and directly to the "date and time" but when I moved the mouse it responded and stopped to move alone. I bet its a spyware..
and also there's a file (new file) called VAV.exe (if anyone faced this one) and the application is all about "removing this virus from my pc by activating the software " and the software is not free!! so it's an attempt to get money and also my antivirus detected at least 5 files and deleted but there still the software working.

I searched in hidden files and nothing new , I hope some1 could help.
I'll format my pc if didnt recieve a solution. thanks in advance guys...

oh and also, tried to save some pngs from the icon official png thread but it wont do anything, i cant upload and download or anything else ...

Veteran Member From : Florida OS : Mac OS X Leopard

ok not 2 b a dick but here is the easiest fix...get a mac!!! lol sorry cant help and jus btw i say that 2 any1 that has a prob w/ PC so dont take it personally

Subject: Re: Facing a spyware July 13th 2008, 8:21 am

lol. looks like you're facing a complete reinstall of windows
And you should know to NEVER download unknown plugins :undecided:. The main ones are Java, Shockwave and Flash, Divx... ones that you are seeing for the first time, google it before downloading.

I also hope you didnt download a plugin for a pr0n site happy

Kid Sister From : NYC OS : Mac OS X

OK, first ignore what the 2 people above said lol, tongue

as that not gonna help you, only aggravate you... (except what Alexander said about not download stuff you don't know).

To fix your problem, this is what you need to do:

Download AVG anti-virus (it contains anti-spyware too) from their website (it's free and effective) http://free.avg.com/ww.download?prd=afe

You need to boot up into safe mode (as in: when you turn on the computer, at the black screen before windows comes up, hit F8 and select safe mode from the list of options)
Once you're all booted up - run AVG anti-virus anti-spyware, then run the anti-virus program.

As a warning: don't save anything to any external or usb drives.
Also, do you have vista or xp?
and that Vav.exe is a fake software, don't click anything your system asks you to do, that you did not initiate yourself. All of that is a part of the system hijacking.

Please read this too: you may need to just follow these steps to help clean up your system aslo:
VAV (vav.exe) Removal Instructions
http://www.xp-vista.com/spyware-removal/vav-vavexe-removal-instructions

ALL WINDOWS USERS, BE AWARE:
VAV.exe, or simply VAV , is a file that associated with a rogue anti-spyware application called Vista Antivirus 2008. Don’t be fooled. VAV is a fake software by itself but advertises itself as a removal tool. This annoying rogue antispyware application is back after changing its face mask. It is believed that it is a variant of XP Antivirus 2008. As a matter of fact, it is one of the latest counterfeit anti-spyware softwares that causes troubles for so many innocent computer users today.

Subject: Re: Facing a spyware July 13th 2008, 9:17 am

Easier instructions of what chekkz said tongue

:

1. http://filehippo.com/download_avg_antivirus/ Download AVG AntiVirus 8 from that site

2. Update AVG to latest virus definitions

3. Restart computer and boot into safe mode (press f9 a couple of times before you see the windows xp loading logo) then run AVG. It will probably find viruses and ask you if you want to move them to the vault, press yes.

4. Once the scan is done, go into the virus vault, then select every file and DELETE it

5 (if needed). http://www.xp-vista.com/spyware-removal/vav-vavexe-removal-instructions follow instructions on that page if AVG did not sucessfuly remove vav

Kid Sister From : NYC OS : Mac OS X

^^lol thanks for reiterating Alex tongue

what does F9 do though?

I hope you get your problem solved without having to reinstall, hisoka. good luck. thumbs up

Resident Artist

wow thanks guys I'll try it now!!
oh and does it affect your site if i post while having a virus? because i was looking for something like that tongue

joking, i'll try to fix now

Subject: Re: Facing a spyware July 13th 2008, 10:01 am

f9 goes striaght to safe mode while f8 gives u options

Kid Sister From : NYC OS : Mac OS X

^ok kool, thanks.. and hisoka.. good luck once again thumbs up

Resident Artist

thanks

am still downloading tongue

....

Subject: Re: Facing a spyware July 13th 2008, 12:46 pm

Slow internet? tongue

Resident Artist

very slow and am facing another problem!! the download always stuck, tried 3 times 1st stuck at 12% 2nd at 33% and now at 18% what do i do? the virus still here...

Edited: 47%!!!!

Regular Visitor OS : XP

h i s o k a you are using firefox right

if you are download the add on called downthemall ( http://www.downthemall.net/ )
its internet manager it will speed everything up

go to filehippo.com

download spybot search and destroy, it is very good and free ; then update and scan
http://filehippo.com/download_spybot_search_destroy/

remember when you download it should be like this
Facing a spyware Untitl21

and go and also download bitdefender 10,the same method
http://filehippo.com/download_bitdefender/

this is only a stand alone antivirus but its free and it has much better detection percentage then avg

but if you want avg's fullness download that(note this will NOT interfere with avg)

when thats done update and scan

Resident Artist

really thank! I dunno what to say, thank you alot, you tried your best ..
the virus don't pop up again, but still in my pc sad

I tried the 2 softwares and it removed many things, but the "Virus Alert" text is still behind the "date and time" in my start bar and it opens a webpage frequently while i close it . any suggestions before i format windows?

Subject: Re: Facing a spyware July 14th 2008, 8:58 am

Not sure at this point. Your best way to get back on track would be to save your files to an external HD and reformat windows. This time install AVG 8 right away so you're secure from the start. And dont download any plugins wink

you dont need anything but java, shockwave, flash and divx (if you watch online movies) and any other trusted ones, google before you download if you REALLY need the plugin

Resident Artist

ok thanks for advice alex, chekkz,alxmarcond, manufn, and Lbroskee i must buy a mac happy

Regular Visitor OS : XP

dont man if you don't have too this is a fixable problem

download this is probably the best internet security ever made if it doesn't help then reformat
http://usa.kaspersky.com/trials/home-users/internet-security-7/

Resident Artist

Kaspersky, ya i know, i had it but removed it because i dont have a valid key to use,and also trial version expired, thanks for your attempt