posted on September 23, 2002 02:17:34 PM
I just totally cleaned up my computer (deleted files, de-fragged, ect), and then ran a virus scan.
I have two questions about it...
1. What's up with all these files? My Virus scan, is scanning THOUSANDS of files - where are these? I'm constantly deleting files and documents and then "emptying" the recycle bin - so where do all these thousands of files come from? I don't do video games or download too many things!
2. I have the W32/Aliz@MM Virus - which was found by McAfee during the Virus Scan - it cleaned it, but I'm unable to delete or quarantine it, since when I try, I get this message stating, "In use or resides on a write protected area". What's up with that? And how can I find it and get rid of it?
Any help or suggestions is appreciated - thanks in advance!
[ edited by spyked on Sep 23, 2002 02:18 PM ]
Or here is the removal methods... and I believe yours is the memory resident one.
Removal Instructions:
All Users:
Script,Batch,Macro and non memory-resident:
Use current engine and DAT files for detection and removal.
PE,Trojan,Internet Worm and memory resident:
Use specified engine and DAT files for detection. To remove, boot to MS-DOS mode or use a boot diskette and use the command line scanner:
SCANPM /ADL /CLEAN /ALL
Additional Windows ME/XP removal considerations
AVERT recommends to users that they not trust file icons particular when received from others, such as P2P clients, IRC, email or other mediums where users can share files.
AVERT Recommended Updates:
* Office2000 Updates
* Malformed Word Document Could Enable Macro to Run Automatically (Information/Patch)
* scriptlet.typelib/Eyedog vulnerability patch
* Outlook as an email attachment security update
* Exchange 5.5 post SP3 Information Store Patch 5.5.2652.42 - this patch corrects detection issues with GroupShield
For a list of attachments blocked by the Outlook patch and a general FAQ, visit this link.
Additionally, Network Administrators can configure this update using an available tool - visit this link for more information.
It is very common for macro viruses to disable options within Office applications for example in Word, the macro protection warning commonly is disabled. After cleaning macro viruses, ensure that your previously set options are again enabled.
posted on September 23, 2002 03:35:56 PM
I may know what you are talking about. I delete my temp internet files on a regular basis. I did all the cleanup I could think of, same as you, and ran the scan. The temp.internet files were over 50,000! Yikes!!
If you go to programs, accessories, system tools, disk cleanup and clear the temporary internet files through there, you will get rid of these.
The first time there were so many that my disk cleanup wouldn't run. I had to take it to the shop and let them do it. Now I run it every day when I am done on the internet.
Getting rid of the cookies this way doesn't dump the important ones in your favorites file, such as home page and AW.
My virus scan went from over 80,000 files down to 26,000...a time saver of over an hour!
posted on September 23, 2002 03:45:41 PM
I have a question for you spyked. Why didn't your antivirus stop this virus before it got into your system? Aren't you running it on a continous basis? Are updating your A/V regularly? I have Norton & have had 3 virus attacks this summer. Norton has put each one into quarantine immediately. It really gets your attention when the big red sign flashes on the screen. I will not open any file that is over 100KB. The Klez virus is usually about 127KB.
[ edited by sanmar on Sep 23, 2002 03:48 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2002 04:44:47 PM
Somewhat along the same line...I had a tech guy in a couple of days ago...was cleaning up the computer and deleted all of the "temp" files...Techie said was OK to delete ALL of them...including "cookies." Well, when I tried to log onto my PayPal account, I got some kind of message that said I couldn't...something about doing something to an "html"...(you can probably tell I don't know a whole lot about computer technology). Didn't want to mess with that and figured out an alternate way to access my account. Guess there's a point here somewhere...Maybe be careful when deleting cookies...even in temp files? But, I do have a question...I have Norton (Bless them!) and have about 20 viruses in quarantine. Is it OK to delete them from the quarantine file? I've hesitated to mess with the nasty bugs but feel uneasy even having them in ANY file. Thanks...
posted on September 23, 2002 06:02:30 PM
ANYTHING YOU DELETE IN COOKIES HAS TO BE SIGNED BACK IN AGAIN. PAY PAL,E BAY, WHATEVER, YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. IT'S JUST A COMPUTER FACT OF LIFE. JUST SIGN IN AGAIN IT'S THAT EASY. DELETE ALL YOUR COOKIES DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. YOU'LL BE LOOKING AT COOKIES FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE SELECTIVLY DELETING THEM. JUST SCROLL DOWN AND DELETE AND SIGN BACK INTO ANY PLACES YOU WANT TO GO TO. I.E PAY PAL. TRY IT,,YOU'LL SEE.
AND THE BEAT GOES ON.......
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Sep 23, 2002 06:04 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2002 06:50:57 PM
I delete temporary files about everyother day, but thanks to twelvepole it will now do it automatically when I shut down.
I do do a thorough delete about every three weeks and then all I have to do is remember what my passwords are for the places I go into and I start over again. Has anyone used the clean sweep that Norton has? and if so does it work.
posted on September 23, 2002 07:23:37 PM
Once again, AW-ers have proven that THEY'RE THE BEST...Thanks for the terrific advice...am going to go right in and set my computer to delete the temp files. THANKS!
posted on September 23, 2002 07:51:47 PM
Every Tuesday nightr,(Wed. morning @2 AM) I do system maintenance. Scandisk & Defrag & Norton sweep of all files. Before I quit for the night I delete all temp files. There aren't that many, but it keeps the ol' computer running a little faster without all of that garbage.
posted on September 23, 2002 08:36:25 PM
I use Clean Sweep all of the time. Like Sanmar, I schedule Norton's for the wee hours once a week. If I've been on-line a particularly long time, I'll run it just to make sure everything is clean. I love the Disk Optimizer. I run it monthly and it really speeds things up.
Once you've had to have professional maintenance or fix a virus, the cost of Norton's Utilities won't seem like much at all.
posted on September 24, 2002 01:05:54 PM
Hey guys- I just discovered this great tool that will erase all of your cookies/tracks/temporary internet files in one swoosh! It's called Tracks Eraser. You can download it from "Download.com". You can use the trial version and see if you like it. Instead of spending an hour trying to delete all of it yourself, Tracks Eraser will do it all for you and it only takes a minute! It's not really an anti-virus program, BUT it will prevent you from having your temporary internet files being sent to other people in your address book in case you do get a virus. Also, you should download a Firewall- I use "Sygate Personal Firewall", and I also downloaded it from Download.com. That one is FREE, and it keeps hackers from getting into your computer.
