What is this, a Virus?

[Bigcypresshunter]

I need some help. My computer seems to accumulate hundreds of Adware Tracking cookies in only a few minutes. It will accumulate over 500 in about 15 minutes until my laptop freezes up. I keep running my SuperAntiSpyware and it removes them but they keep coming back. I have never had this many tracking cookies in so short of a time period.



Is this a Virus? What can I do to fix it?

I tried to restore but it says Restoration Incomplete Your computer cannot be restored.




Can anybody help? Any suggestions? I am not the best with computers but I have restored in the past to an earlier date and removed viruses in the past by searching the virus name on another laptop but I dont know what to search for. Why cant I restore? thanks.

I have Windows XP.

 

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[Bigcypresshunter]

I re-installed Google Chrome. All my bookmarks came back so I didnt lose anything. Hope it works.


If I have to hunt for the extension, where do I look and what does it look like?

I check back late tommorrow. thanks.

 

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[otrkid70]

There are Computer Virus which Physically harms your computer then there is Adware-Malware or browser Hijackers. You have Malware. If you use Chrome chances are it's right in your extensions. You should disable any extensions you don't recognize. The best and i repeat best Antivirus-malware software is Malwarebytes and it's a free download. I would download malwarebytes and get rid of that garbage Virus protection software you have. Easiest way to spot if you have Adware on your computer is if you get small popups when browsing or when your reading an article like on yahoo some words show up as Links.

A few basic steps to avoid an infected computer is to:
1.) Never open E-mails that you don't recognize no matter what the topic reads...If you have to open an email right click on it and view the full header..I get Emails sometimes From Like Ebay,Google,Yahoo etc. saying Something about my Account and when i look at the full header it's origin is not from those companies.
2.) Porn sites are loaded with Virus and Adware you are almost guaranteed to get something on these sights even if you pay to use the.
3.) Game sites...Tons of Gamer sites are loaded. If you play Xbox or Ps3 or even Comp. games and you are looking for strategies tips etc. be careful
4.) Torrent sites such as piratebay etc. Loaded with some nasty stuff that will destroy your comp. ask yourself is it worth risking my $5-600.00 comp for that song or even Jail time?
5.) Facebook....Facebook is riddled with Links to virus and adware....ever get a friend sharing a video with you and when you click to watch it you are redirected to another site that wants info or "Click here to view"? You click on that link you are putting yourself at risk. a legit video will play right on facebook.
The list is endless

 

[Red James Cash]

Heres a list for you.Turn your security up on your firewall,Download combofix ComboFix | freeware it is very powerful so use with care.Download ESET ESET | Antivirus, Internet Security Software & Virus Protection | ESET download Hijack this HiJackThis | SourceForge.net Download RKILL RKill Download .Last of all download CrapCleaner https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/reviews

I use windows Xp,I do not run an anti anything when im online,except for ghostery.I do not get viruses or anything else.

 

[Ant]

Get a S6 or iphone, get a new PC and don't connect with the infected PC again. And only use the infected PC to work off line or have it reloaded. We don't have many infections on cell phones.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

There are Computer Virus which Physically harms your computer then there is Adware-Malware or browser Hijackers. You have Malware. If you use Chrome chances are it's right in your extensions. You should disable any extensions you don't recognize. The best and i repeat best Antivirus-malware software is Malwarebytes and it's a free download. I would download malwarebytes and get rid of that garbage Virus protection software you have. Easiest way to spot if you have Adware on your computer is if you get small popups when browsing or when your reading an article like on yahoo some words show up as Links.

A few basic steps to avoid an infected computer is to:
1.) Never open E-mails that you don't recognize no matter what the topic reads...If you have to open an email right click on it and view the full header..I get Emails sometimes From Like Ebay,Google,Yahoo etc. saying Something about my Account and when i look at the full header it's origin is not from those companies.
2.) Porn sites are loaded with Virus and Adware you are almost guaranteed to get something on these sights even if you pay to use the.
3.) Game sites...Tons of Gamer sites are loaded. If you play Xbox or Ps3 or even Comp. games and you are looking for strategies tips etc. be careful
4.) Torrent sites such as piratebay etc. Loaded with some nasty stuff that will destroy your comp. ask yourself is it worth risking my $5-600.00 comp for that song or even Jail time?
5.) Facebook....Facebook is riddled with Links to virus and adware....ever get a friend sharing a video with you and when you click to watch it you are redirected to another site that wants info or "Click here to view"? You click on that link you are putting yourself at risk. a legit video will play right on facebook.
The list is endless

Yes I also have Facebook and this may be the source. Thanks for the info on prevention, to avoid this from happening again, but I need to repair my computer first. Yes I use Chrome but could somebody please tell what is an extension is? and where and what do I look for? thanks.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Get a S6 or iphone, get a new PC and don't connect with the infected PC again. And only use the infected PC to work off line or have it reloaded. We don't have many infections on cell phones.

I realize buying a new pc would solve the problem lol. I would prefer to fix this computer if possible at this time. thanks

I have a smartphone but I never use it for business or bills. Is a smartphone safer?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I uninstalled and re-installed chrome but it didnt fix anything

 

[Ant]

It is all fixed, once the PC is infected the only fix is wiping it clean, reloading, and starting over. Good Luck.

Oh IMO the programers that introduce these infections could be the same ones create software, just saying, can't look at anything without getting bombarded, it ain't free, lol.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

It is all fixed, once the PC is infected the only fix is wiping it clean, reloading, and starting over. Good Luck.

Oh IMO the programers that introduce these infections could be the same ones create software, just saying, can't look at anything without getting bombarded, it ain't free, lol.

You mean re-instal windows? I dont want to re-install windows and start all over. I have too much data stored here. ....and I dont want to buy a new computer at this time.


Somebody will have a solution. Im sure it can be fixed. Im a beginner is the problem.

 

[Bramblefind]

Hi - I don't know much - But something I always check is the add/remove programs/ uninstall area and look for any programs that were recently installed or just look "bad" and get rid of them.

Re: Chrome you can also check these areas for bad plugins or extensions to delete - just put this in your search bar and go:

chrome://extensions/

chrome://plugins/

I've been using free Ad-Aware for a few months now -

Ad-Aware Free Antivirus and Antispyware by Lavasoft | Protection from Virus, Spyware & Malware | Top Internet Security for Windows

 

[Red James Cash]

Somebody will have a solution. Im sure it can be fixed. Im a beginner is the problem.

I already told you buddy.download and run the scanners i posted,its all straight forward stuff.just pay attention to what youre doing.there is obviously a file installed in your comp that automatically re installs the cookies.You have to get rid of that file.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I already told you buddy.download and run the scanners i posted,its all straight forward stuff.just pay attention to what youre doing.there is obviously a file installed in your comp that automatically re installs the cookies.You have to get rid of that file.

Ok Ill download Ghostery or the other suggestions if nothing else works. But before I start downloading other programs I am doing all the other things advised here.

I already have AVG. I called my brother who is a computer guy and he said that forget about looking for an extension because I have already set Chrome back to default. He also said in all his years, he has never heard of 500 adwares in so short a time period.

However he said that I should check my settings in AVG Free and sure enough, I was not in full protection. So I am running the scans now. It appears I have many problems.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Hi - I don't know much - But something I always check is the add/remove programs/ uninstall area and look for any programs that were recently installed or just look "bad" and get rid of them.

Re: Chrome you can also check these areas for bad plugins or extensions to delete - just put this in your search bar and go:

chrome://extensions/

chrome://plugins/

I've been using free Ad-Aware for a few months now -

Ad-Aware Free Antivirus and Antispyware by Lavasoft | Protection from Virus, Spyware & Malware | Top Internet Security for Windows

Hello

Yes I looked in my program list and nothing unusual was there. Good advice though.

My brother says looking for an extension is kinda technical but because I have set Chrome back to default, an extension cannot be the problem. He says setting Chrome back to default eliminates any extension.

I used to have free Lavasoft. Its ok. Does it remove in real time or do you have to initiate a scan?

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

OK thanks everybody. It appears that the problem is solved and my computer is back to normal!

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

You know I never had any computer training, not even in High School. Actually I never finished HS. Im self-taught in almost everything I do. About 5 years ago someone told me that my truck couldnt be fixed and I need a new one. Well guess what? Its still running strong at 235.000 miles and I do all repairs myself. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/everything-else/163526-isuzu-mechanic-needed-new-problems.html

We ask for advice but we have to be able to sort through it to pick the part that fits best. There are also many ways to the same end. In other words: "many ways to skin a cat".

Just downloading a virus protection may not be good enough. It also has to be set correctly. My brother suggested that I go into Advanced Settings on AVG Free and see if every box is checked. It wasnt. And by checking all the boxes, the malware was removed. It looks like this:




Thanks everybody for all the suggestions. I learned a lot and my computer is now good. Thanks again.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

I understand the need to upgrade and eventually I will. But we have become a throw away society. Throw it away and buy a new one from China. So what if we are in debt already? We have the money printer, right? As long as we have a strong military and we can keep printing US dollars, the system works.

 

[otrkid70]

Bigcypresshunter, Glad to see you worked it out. Just for reference anyone who uses Chrome should check their extensions ...Not only can it Slooooooow down browsing but Adware can hide there so heres how to do it.

Top right Corner of the Browser is the X button which you use to close the browser right below that should be a Star button so you can Add favorites to your bookmarks just to the right of the Star is an options box it's just 3 lines.....click on that the dropdown menu will appear find Settings. Click on it and a Window will Appear. to the left there are options you will see Extensions. Click on Extensions and it will show all your Extensions that you may or may not know of. Each one of these Extensions can be Anabled/disabled or Deleted. I have no Extensions because of the slow Webpage loading that it creates.


Everyone has different Tastes but there is not a single Extension i can think of to have Enabled here. Hope it helps. Glad you got it working.

 

[Red James Cash]

and we can keep printing US dollars, the system works.

Not surprisingly,the U.S. hasnt printed any money in a while and hasnt since the Fed took over and is a private financial institution.

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Not surprisingly,the U.S. hasnt printed any money in a while and hasnt since the Fed took over and is a private financial institution.

Ok but the problem is that paper money is no longer backed by gold. I read that China is asking for payment in gold.

My comment was made tongue in cheek. (i added the icon) the system of printing money will eventually collapse without the gold standard.

 

[Ant]

Yep reload Windows is what i meant. Good everything worked out, .