Wednesday, May 18, 2011

An Easy Fix for a Common Computer Virus


"What's this, a virus?"


"Oh noes! My Identity!"


"Wait, how did this antivirus program get on my computer? I didn't install it, I use Norton/Mcafee/whatever!"

That's not an antivirus, that IS the virus. Yes, a virus that disguises itself as an antivirus. It is a clever idea, and it pays hackers big time by tricking you into buying their fraudulent software to get rid of non-existent viruses. It goes by many names - Antivir, Antimalware Doctor, Spyware Doctor, etc. - and generally leaves your computer useless and unable to access any part of the internet, except for the fake company website where it takes you to buy the "full version".

A friend of mine frantically called me yesterday asking for help because his computer received a virus similar to this. He has Mcafee installed on his computer, and it didn't stop this. This type of virus is super common and can appear on any windows computer without warning. I've helped family and friends with this virus so many times now I can almost start a business to remove it.

It's really easy to get rid of actually. Heres what you do:
  1. Check to see if you can still access the internet. If you can, great. If you can't, find another computer or try playing around with your internet options/preferences (usually disabling connecting through a proxy does the trick, since the virus sets up a proxy connection when it infects your computer).
  2. Download and save a program called rkill. Google it or download here. MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD EVERY VERSION LISTED, AS SOME MAY NOT WORK WITH YOUR COMPUTER.
  3. Save all the rkill files somewhere accessible, such as on your desktop or on a flash drive if you are on a different computer.
  4. Download Malwarebytes Antimalware. Save it in the same place you saved rkill for convenience.
  5. Run rkill on the infected computer. Run every single one until you find one that works. You'll know when it does because the virus will stop giving you those annoying popups and you'll suddenly be able to use your computer again.
  6. Install Malwarebytes Antimalware on the infected computer.
  7. Update it, then run a full scan of every drive on your computer. When it's done let it restart your computer if it needs to and tell it to delete all threats it found.
That's it! It's so easy a cave man can do it.


Windows is shit, because it gets so many viruses. It is impossible to 100% protect your windows computer from viruses because there are so many and they are being created every day. If you want to avoid the problem of viruses all together, switch to linux. You'll never have another virus again.

Or if you choose to stay with windows, I'll give you the same advice I gave my friend: STOP DOWNLOADING PORN OFF THE INTERNET. Seriously, those sites are like the STD infested vaginas of high school dropout sluts. They spread disease to EVERYONE. If you stop doing that, your computer will be like a thousand times less likely to get a virus.

Oh, and wear a condom.

25 comments:

  1. If I used Windows this would help me out a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Condoms are a good way to avoid getting a virus ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. The research you've done to get rid of the common malware / adware problems are very well written out for the common man / guy who doesn't know much about computers!

    ReplyDelete
  4. thanks it's always good to have more information on computer viruses.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I wish I read this, before converting to mac,
    loved the pic of time magazine

    ReplyDelete
  6. haha nice description. I just did the exact same steps about a month ago to help a friend out.

    ReplyDelete
  7. i lol'd at the label. following

    ReplyDelete
  8. I often fix computers for family and stuff so this is actually a good tip on how to possibly get things done a little faster or as an alternative.

    Also, Microsoft Security Essentials is a good thing to have for people who read after this.

    ReplyDelete
  9. internet is for porn! nice guide anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Haha, I get calls like that too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. i've done battle with viruses like this before tricky business getting it off your hd for good

    ReplyDelete
  12. i hate those programs, some years ago i have one of those in my pc

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm usually pretty careful. Haven't had to deal with anything like this yet.

    ReplyDelete
  14. i wish i found this sooner -.-

    ReplyDelete
  15. There all script kiddies attacking through shit like that

    ReplyDelete