Removing viruses can be fun

loveandpower

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United States
Yeah I know I am wierd heh...

Anybody else get a new type of virus (obviously before you find out how much hell it can be) and you are like "challenge accepted!"

Maybe it's just a quirk of mine but removing them (I remove mine manually before I use a scanner if I can help it) seems kind of fun. Before it is said, yes I know some of them can get pretty ugly and nearly impossible to remove.

:huh:

I would even go as far as to say I have learned a thing or two from removing them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
I work for a major auto manufacturer, in the "endpoint security operations" group, which means I prevent, detect and remove viruses for a living and it's fun!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
Do I "detect" some sarcasm? xD
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
Me, sarcastic? Never!!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
Yea, all fun and games until you blue screen, can't boot, have to wipe drive. Personally, I avoid getting them but you have fun! :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
Yea, all fun and games until you blue screen, can't boot, have to wipe drive. Personally, I avoid getting them but you have fun! :)
Oh I doodle with them on a secondary machine I would never intentionally do that on one I actually cared about of course. I never thought about it but I wonder if it's possible to get a virtual virus.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
Yea, all fun and games until you blue screen, can't boot, have to wipe drive. Personally, I avoid getting them but you have fun! :)
Oh I doodle with them on a secondary machine I would never intentionally do that on one I actually cared about of course. I never thought about it but I wonder if it's possible to get a virtual virus.

That's good to know. If you mean a virus on a virtual machine, sure it is possible especially if you are connecting to the internet with it and using a browser and/or downloading files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V3 771G-6443
    CPU
    i5-3230m
    Motherboard
    Acer VA70_HC (U3E1)
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 PC3-12800 (800 MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD4000 + GeForce GT 730M
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" Generic PnP Display on Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Screen Resolution
    1600x900 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250 GB
    ADATA SSD SP900 128GB
    PSU
    90 watt brick
    Mouse
    Bluetooth
    Antivirus
    Comodo
    Other Info
    Asus RT-AC56R dual-band WRT router (Merlin firmware). Intel 7260.HMWWB.R dual-band ac wireless adapter.
Nothing more fun then being given a laptop & being told "It's got some kind of virus", then finding when you boot there's nothing but a black screen with a blinking cursor....now THAT was a fun one to figure out. I fixed it, but I want the 8 hrs of my life it took back...

No recovery disk, recovery partition couldn't be accessed (at first), the OP was insistent that I do not wipe out their photos & music files.

And then you have the ones where you stick in the MS Defender Offline because getting it to boot is impossible & 4 hours later it's STILL finding viruses...& the scan is only 50% completed. My friend had, if I remember correctly, 2400 & something infected files. It was the one he let his kids use. Go figure....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    It's a Dell, Dude.
    CPU
    Intel Caffinated Core Duo
    Motherboard
    Father is bored too.
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia something-or-another
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HD TV/Monitor/Alternative Dimensional Viewing Portal
    Screen Resolution
    Fuzzy after a couple drinks
    Hard Drives
    2 or 3, depending on if it's a night they're arguing about having a "split personality crisis" because I partitioned the drive.
    Case
    Don't get on my case....man
    Cooling
    Scotch on the rocks on the weekends..
    Keyboard
    Mad Catz Cyborg V7. Or maybe Cyborg Catz Are Mad At V7's??? I know it lights up...far out.
    Mouse
    currently being stalked by the cat...
    Internet Speed
    Never fast enough...
    Browser
    Defeated by Mario...wait...OH...BRowser...
    Antivirus
    Various
Nothing more fun then being given a laptop & being told "It's got some kind of virus", then finding when you boot there's nothing but a black screen with a blinking cursor....now THAT was a fun one to figure out. I fixed it, but I want the 8 hrs of my life it took back...

No recovery disk, recovery partition couldn't be accessed (at first), the OP was insistent that I do not wipe out their photos & music files.

And then you have the ones where you stick in the MS Defender Offline because getting it to boot is impossible & 4 hours later it's STILL finding viruses...& the scan is only 50% completed. My friend had, if I remember correctly, 2400 & something infected files. It was the one he let his kids use. Go figure....

I have heard of relative ones such as that! Never fixed one with that particular situation though.

Hey if people want the long dragged out way tell them straight up obviously it will be more labor costs :)

I know exactly how you feel though there was this fbi moneypak virus somebody had once but it was a fairly good modified version of it. I learned a lot about that particular virus from working on that one! I had a good eight hours as well into removing that one.

Before I started working on computers my dad had a virus on a NT machine he told me about once where you couldn't find not a single file or folder on the machine. It's like the virus had hidden every single little item. You couldn't even get to the run command or a command prompt or anything in both safe mode or regular windows. I can only imagine the fun that was!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
As you mentioned, there is a positive thing about working with a tough virus. You learn the ins & out's of it. You research about problems being presented, you see multiple solutions & Google as many facts/solutions about it as possible. And you find out the intricacies of it & what makes it tick.

So I try to think of it as a real life case study. And I have learned a lot about certain malware. Especially about rootkits.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    It's a Dell, Dude.
    CPU
    Intel Caffinated Core Duo
    Motherboard
    Father is bored too.
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia something-or-another
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HD TV/Monitor/Alternative Dimensional Viewing Portal
    Screen Resolution
    Fuzzy after a couple drinks
    Hard Drives
    2 or 3, depending on if it's a night they're arguing about having a "split personality crisis" because I partitioned the drive.
    Case
    Don't get on my case....man
    Cooling
    Scotch on the rocks on the weekends..
    Keyboard
    Mad Catz Cyborg V7. Or maybe Cyborg Catz Are Mad At V7's??? I know it lights up...far out.
    Mouse
    currently being stalked by the cat...
    Internet Speed
    Never fast enough...
    Browser
    Defeated by Mario...wait...OH...BRowser...
    Antivirus
    Various
Fortunately I have not run into anything TOO nasty. Usually, AdwCleaner takes care of most of the stuff I end up needing to clean out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790k @ 4.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI Z97 U3 Plus
    Memory
    8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon R9 285 (2 GB GDDR5), and Intel HD 4600
    Sound Card
    Integrated HD audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VW246H 24.6 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080 (natve)
    Hard Drives
    512 GB Crucial SSD (SATA-III)
    PSU
    800W NZXT PP-800
    Case
    CoolerMaster HAF 932 Advanced Edition (Steel fulltower)
    Cooling
    Liqtech 240
    Keyboard
    Razer Lycosa
    Mouse
    Logitech G35
    Internet Speed
    11 Mbps download
    Browser
    Mozilla Firefox
    Antivirus
    AVG free (and common sense :P)
As you mentioned, there is a positive thing about working with a tough virus. You learn the ins & out's of it. You research about problems being presented, you see multiple solutions & Google as many facts/solutions about it as possible. And you find out the intricacies of it & what makes it tick.

So I try to think of it as a real life case study. And I have learned a lot about certain malware. Especially about rootkits.

Absolutely correct! It amazes me sometimes how many actual defensive update are done to anti virus. And it amazes me how many variety of a single virus there is and how many new ones are made every day. Obviously not one single anti virus is going to be solid proof so it's always a good thing for a techy person to fiddle around with infected machines to figure out what to look for and most common problems and areas of infections.

I talked to a McaFee representative once he made out like you may get a new 100 defensive operations added in a day but in reality there may be a 1,000 viruses that were reported. It makes you realize just how much work people in those positions have to put in. And it makes you appreciate what they do.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    iBUYPOWER
    CPU
    AMD 8320
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon 7850
    Screen Resolution
    1024x768
    Case
    Azza Solaris
    Internet Speed
    50MBps download/10MBps upload
    Browser
    Chrome/Firefox/Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes PRO
It is quite impossible for any AV to catch anything 100% of the time due to the sheer volume of new viruses being released into the wild at any given moment.

When a new strain is released, the AV's may not detect it at first. The first step is it has to be recognized. After recognition, samples have to be submitted to the AV companies for analysis. Meanwhile the virus is spreading throughout the net. The AV companies now have to analyze the virus, find out how it works & how to nullify it. This can take anywhere from several hours to several days depending on the complexity of the virus.

After this, the solution needs to be uploaded to AV scanners. This can take some time too since not all people update their AV's on a regular basis. Meanwhile, the virus continues to makes it's rounds.

Hence, the reason nothing gets everything 100% of the time. Vigilance needs to be maintained as well as common sense.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    It's a Dell, Dude.
    CPU
    Intel Caffinated Core Duo
    Motherboard
    Father is bored too.
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia something-or-another
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HD TV/Monitor/Alternative Dimensional Viewing Portal
    Screen Resolution
    Fuzzy after a couple drinks
    Hard Drives
    2 or 3, depending on if it's a night they're arguing about having a "split personality crisis" because I partitioned the drive.
    Case
    Don't get on my case....man
    Cooling
    Scotch on the rocks on the weekends..
    Keyboard
    Mad Catz Cyborg V7. Or maybe Cyborg Catz Are Mad At V7's??? I know it lights up...far out.
    Mouse
    currently being stalked by the cat...
    Internet Speed
    Never fast enough...
    Browser
    Defeated by Mario...wait...OH...BRowser...
    Antivirus
    Various
My frustration is that we manage about 200k endpoints (clients and servers). We are expected to stop everything but we cannot allow any "false positives", so that is very difficult. I submit files for "blacklisting" and "whitelisting" every day and we do our best to keep up. We have also implemented heurestics and behavior and reputation-based protection, as well as the traditional signature-based protection.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10 Pro 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built Intel i7-3770k-based system
    CPU
    Intel i7-3770k, Overclocked to 4.6GHz (46x100) with Corsair H110i GT cooler
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 OC Formula 2.30 BIOS
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 2133 Corsair Vengeance Pro
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GTX 980ti SC ACS 6GB DDR5 by EVGA
    Sound Card
    Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium HD, Corsair SP2500 speakers and subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 27EA33 [Monitor] (27.2"vis) HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB (system drive)
    WD 6TB Red NAS hard drives x 2 in Storage Spaces (redundancy)
    PSU
    Corsair 750ax fully modular power supply with sleeved cables
    Case
    Corsair Air 540 with 7 x 140mm fans on front, rear and top panels
    Cooling
    Corsair H110i GT liquid cooled CPU with 4 x 140" Corsair SP "push-pull" and 3 x 140mm fans
    Keyboard
    Thermaltake Poseidon Z illuminated keyboard
    Mouse
    Corsair M65 wired
    Internet Speed
    85MBps DSL
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro and CCleaner Pro
    Other Info
    Client of Windows Server 2012 R2 10 PC's, laptops and smartphones on the WLAN.

    1GBps Ethernet ports
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