Computer block and fine requested

[PEV]

I was watching a legal adult video from one of the many video links available when the video was stopped and a full screen official looking message told me my computer was blocked as I had infringed copy right, watched pornographic material, done this and done that! and I was to pay £100 via their pay facility.--Don't worry I would not even think of touching that!!!

There was no way to get rid of the page without turning off PC at the box but when turned on again the message came back just after my desk top appeared.

I have managed to click onto my AV (AVG free)and activate it and now doing a full scan ATM.

I am surprised this has happened as AVG has kept me 100% safe over last ten years and always picked up any malicious attempts/virus etc.

I await the scan result but bet it will not show up as a virus!

If I don't get blocked again I am also going to run 'super anti spyware'

Any other advise please?

 

Ray

[PEV]

In reply to my own posting I have just completed the scan and the virus JS/Agent7 (c/doc & settings)was found and safely removed to the virus vault. I will remove the virus unless any other advice.

If anyone can tell me more about this virus I would be interested to hear.

Ray

[KenB]

Hi Ray

 

You really need Starbuck or Etavares to advise you further.

 

Download MBAM from here ( the free version )

click here

 

Install > Update > Run it.

It will produce a log.

Copy this here please.

[Starbuck]

Hi Ray,

 

This type of infection is called 'Ransomeware' and is becoming very common.

This link will explain it in easy to understand language:

 

http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/shared/ransomware.aspx

 

Let us know how the scans go and we'll help if required.

[PEV]

Virus nightmare!!!

 

Guys i have just managed to get back on line (after a fashion!)

I have had a PC expert pal here for ten hours trying to clear the infection but my machine was riddled with it.

In the end he had to re install another version of XP but in the process i have lost all my email address book, some important draft emails with valuable information on and I now wait in hope for when my friend tries to install MS office which might give me access to my documents.The last time I posted I was running an AVG scan which said the virus was safely in the AVG Free virus vault - allegedly!

I 'delected' the virus but it just appeared again and then it shut down safe mode which is why I havent got back on this forum until tonight.

I am still in deep s....t as everything has to be re set with passwords and so on.

This is the first time in 8 years that AVG has failed to deal with the many threats - it just didnt see anything until the PC was infected.

My friend tells me this virus and its 40 or so varients come imbedded in music and videos so you can get hit where ever you are seeing videos.

 

Don't know what else to say - am still in shock that my AV was driven straight through!

I know some of you are not keen on AVG but as I say it caught EVERYTHING over last many years so I am surprised and angry.

Ray

[Starbuck]

am still in shock that my AV was driven straight through!

Unfortunately no security software is going to be 100%.

Malware writers are always coming up with new ways to bypass these security programs.

Security programs can only block malware if the definitions for that malware are present.

It may take awhile between new malware variants being discovered and the definitions being put in place.

 

this virus and its 40 or so varients come imbedded in music and videos so you can get hit where ever you are seeing videos.

This is quite possibly true.

Here's some very disturbing facts to outline the seriousness we now face..

• Internet users are 21 times more likely to become infected by visiting a legitimate online shopping site than by visiting a site used for illegal file-sharing...The problem isn't in the sites themselves; it's in the ads...
   
  
• According to Ciscos annual 2013 Security Report internet users are 182 times more likely to get malware from clicking on online ads than visiting a porn site...
   
  
• At least one in 10 web pages are booby-trapped with malware...The tricks include hacking into a web server to plant malware, or planting it within third-party widgets or advertising...
   
  
• About eight out of every 10 Web browsers are vulnerable to attack by exploits...Even worse, about 30% of browser plug-ins are perpetually unpatched...
   
  
• One in every eight malware attacks occurs via a USB device.
  

 

So it's not really a case of IF you get infected, more like WHEN.

Edited June 21, 2013 by Starbuck

[KenB]

in the process i have lost all my email address book, ....I now wait in hope for when my friend tries to install MS office which might give me access to my documents.

This is not very likely.

Your friend, in the process of installing XP would have formatted the drive - effectively wiping everything on it.

If you install Office ( or anything else ) you are less likely to be able to recover the wiped data as this will overwrite sectors on the drive.

 

The more you use the hard drive the less likely it is that you will be able to recover the lost data.

 

Suggest you try Recuva

click here

 

This may help too

click here

 

I would install the software on another system - take your hard drive out and attach it to the second system and scan it from there.

Recover any found data to the second system.

[PEV]

Cut my loses advice advice on new PC purchase please

 

All is not going well with the repair. my pc is 10 years old and there are more and more issues and am thinking of buying a new pc and printer. can anyone point me to a forum or review site so I can make a good choiceThe new pc doesn't need massive memory or capacity. sorry if on wrong forum but don't know where to post really. Thanks Ray

[Starbuck]

some important draft emails with valuable information on and I now wait in hope for when my friend tries to install MS office which might give me access to my documents.

It's just a thought........

You obviously use Outlook for your emails ( as you are waiting for MS Office to be reinstalled) but what email provider are you using?

If you are using something like Gmail and Outlook is set to sync with Gmail, there would be copies of everything on the Gmail site.

 

am thinking of buying a new pc and printer. can anyone point me to a forum or review site so I can make a good choice

Depends on what you are looking for, but this is a system i'm looking at to replace the wifes old Win XP.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190605630983?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

 

nice and cheap and will serve what the wife uses it for.

Already have Monitor, Keyboard etc so no problem that they are not provided.

Also has a dedicated graphics card, so running 2 monitors is catered for.

Edited June 21, 2013 by Starbuck

[KenB]

thinking of buying a new pc and printer.

Hi Ray,

Are you looking for a laptop or desktop ?

How much are you thinking of spending ?

[PEV]

Better result than expected

 

After my gloom and doom things look brighter!

This post is from my previously shafted PC!!!

My PC wizard friend Reg has got it working with most things salvaged.

He went through hell and back spending 18 hours headbanging as my system is so old (HP Pavillion circa 2003)

Now with a new (2nd hand hard drive) we are back in business and Now just need to tweak a few things.

Thanks for all the offers of advice guys I know I have said it before but you are all fantastic!

By the way could not connect to Freepchelp was it my end?

Ray

[maynardvdm]

By the way could not connect to Freepchelp was it my end?

 

Hi

 

No, the site was down for a bit.

[KenB]

Thanks for all the offers of advice guys

You are welcome Ray :)

[PEV]

Hi Starbuck

Regarding the machine on Ebay you sent me the url for it is described as for 'gaming' - would it still be suitable for my uses (browsing the net, Utube music/videos and use of MS Office/Excel programmes for documents? As I now have my PC back up and running I now have no urgent need to buy a new system but as XP shortly becomes unsupported by MS I may need to buy in not too distant future.

The PC you suggest on Ebay is described as a 'gamimg' PC. With my present HP Pavillion(2003 desk top PC I have AN HP psc1110 all in one printer which I use mostly for printing docs plus rarely scanning and copying. I presume that would not be compatible with the machine on Ebay in fact should I presume when I do buy a new machine it will need to be another HP to have a chance of it teaming up with my 10 year old psc 1110? or would it?

I Would be interested in any more advice please.

Thanks Ray

[Starbuck]

Hi Ray

 

it is described as for 'gaming' - would it still be suitable for my uses (browsing the net, Utube music/videos and use of MS Office/Excel programmes for documents?

Yes, more than suitable.

There are Staff and members here that specialise in Gaming m/c's and could give you a more definitive answer......

But basically a 'Gaming' m/c has more Ram and a better graphics card installed (instead of using 'Onboard' graphics).

Obviously 'Gaming' requires more from the system, but will still work very well with normal programs and uses.

It's like having a car that will do 140 miles an hour, but you only drive it at 60.

 

HP psc1110 all in one printer which I use mostly for printing docs plus rarely scanning and copying. I presume that would not be compatible with the machine on Ebay

Actually you are in luck here.

I checked the HP site for Win7 drivers for your printer:

 

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01796879&cc=uk&dlc=en&lc=en&os=4062&product=90787&sw_lang=

 

page says:

 

The drivers for your HP product are already included in the new Windows 7 operating system! You do not need to download drivers to use the product . Simply connect the printer to your computer with a USB cable, and Windows Update automatically installs the driver for your product.

[PEV]

Thanks for the prompt reply.

As I said I am probably going to put purchase of new machine on hold due mainly to expense (even £149 is a bit much for me ATM) But when I need to buy I will come back to the forum for updated advice and thanks again.

 

Oh by the way after all the trouble I've had with the virus I have just switched on machine and now I've got the dreaded 'black toolbar!!!' Yonks ago I had the same and actually found a permanent cure for it on a post on another forum but I don't know where to get the info again?

Are their archives of all my posts on Freepchelp? because I believe to help others I posted how to remove black toolbar and if I cna find my post I may be able to sort it out.

[Starbuck]

Are their archives of all my posts on Freepchelp?

All the posts ever made are still available.

At the top of the page, click on 'My Profile' (next to the Settings button.)

When your profile page opens, look on the left hand side and click 'Find latest Posts' ( it does seem to go back quite a long way.... 500 posts in mine)

or if you think you may have started a thread.... click on 'Find latest Started Threads'

See if this helps.

[PEV]

Great! thanks I found the post and eventually the fix after having to Google for the fix on another forum.

Just in case anyone else is suffering the dreaded 'black toolbar' on XP here is the fix.

 

Click start,

control panel,

administrative tools,

services, which brings up services list.

scroll down to themes, single click it.

click the stop option, double click themes which opens a new indow.

change 'automatic to 'manual'. this worked for me!

turn off PC and restart.

Ray

[KenB]

Thanks for the reminder of the "Black Toolbar" fix Ray :)