I may have a virus, help!!!!

[cuban0072]

This is how it happened. I was chatting with someone in windows messenger and
a link popped up. I clicked on it then my friend told me it was a virus.
Since then everytime I try to use a program, the "Open With" window pops up
and I have pick from a list or browse for the exe file. I also do not have
access as an administratrion of my lap top. I really have a hard time
installing or updating new programs. I have an HP laptop. I'm using windows
XP. How can I fix this??? Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Malke]

cuban0072 wrote:
> This is how it happened. I was chatting with someone in windows messenger and
> a link popped up. I clicked on it then my friend told me it was a virus.
> Since then everytime I try to use a program, the "Open With" window pops up
> and I have pick from a list or browse for the exe file. I also do not have
> access as an administratrion of my lap top. I really have a hard time
> installing or updating new programs. I have an HP laptop. I'm using windows
> XP. How can I fix this??? Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

I'll give you general malware removal steps but if this is a
domain-member machine and you don't have the local administrator
password, you'll need to bring the computer to your IT Dept. for them to
reimage. If this is a home machine, then see below.

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://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/sicherheit/35905/multi_av_scanning_tool.html
- download site

The site is in German but David's tool is in English so don't let that
worry you. Scroll all the way down to almost the bottom of the page and
you'll see a box titled "Infos Zum Download - Multi-AV Scanning Tool".
You'll see "Download von www pctipp.ch" and the live link to download
Multi_AV.

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