PerformanceOptimizer.com

[Jay Cee]

Is this malware? A couple days now I get a message that my PC is not working
as it should and could be improved when I click some links (not all) on
Drudge Report. The message will not go away even with the Task Manager's End
Task. If I click the Cancel button or the Red Cross on the message a web
page will open (see subject). Fearing malware (or worse) unwanted download I
then disconnect my ISP connection and terminate the whatever. Anybody knows
of this intrusive and maybe harmful thing?

 

[Malke]

Jay Cee wrote:
> Is this malware? A couple days now I get a message that my PC is not working
> as it should and could be improved when I click some links (not all) on
> Drudge Report. The message will not go away even with the Task Manager's End
> Task. If I click the Cancel button or the Red Cross on the message a web
> page will open (see subject). Fearing malware (or worse) unwanted download I
> then disconnect my ISP connection and terminate the whatever. Anybody knows
> of this intrusive and maybe harmful thing?
>
>

Yes, it is malware. Now you need to clean up your computer.

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to
do all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
Multi_AV in Vista.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm - download

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html

When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the first link above (not here, please).

Not all tools used will work in Vista and you will need to run them
elevated. Since Vista is so new, it will be a while before removal
techniques and tools are developed. If you are unable to remove the
infection by following the general steps, register at one of the
HijackThis forums as suggested.

Standard caveat: If the procedures look too complex - and there is no
shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a
professional computer repair shop (not your local version of
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may
be so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. Have all
your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Jay Cee]

Thanks for the very informative link.


"Malke" <notreally@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:%23AXV78z3HHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Jay Cee wrote:
>> Is this malware? A couple days now I get a message that my PC is not
>> working as it should and could be improved when I click some links (not
>> all) on Drudge Report. The message will not go away even with the Task
>> Manager's End Task. If I click the Cancel button or the Red Cross on the
>> message a web page will open (see subject). Fearing malware (or worse)
>> unwanted download I then disconnect my ISP connection and terminate the
>> whatever. Anybody knows of this intrusive and maybe harmful thing?
>
> Yes, it is malware. Now you need to clean up your computer.
>
> Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
>
> Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to
> do all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
> Multi_AV in Vista.
>
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
> http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm - download
>
> You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
> malware here:
> Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html
>
> When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
> specialty forums listed at the first link above (not here, please).
>
> Not all tools used will work in Vista and you will need to run them
> elevated. Since Vista is so new, it will be a while before removal
> techniques and tools are developed. If you are unable to remove the
> infection by following the general steps, register at one of the
> HijackThis forums as suggested.
>
> Standard caveat: If the procedures look too complex - and there is no
> shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a
> professional computer repair shop (not your local version of
> BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops are
> skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be so
> infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. Have all your data
> backed up before you take the machine into a shop.
>
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User