Spyware warning

telecasterguru (Frank) · #1 08-11-2009, 09:17 AM

Had my computer accessed by someone unknown last week so I thought I would give a warning for everyone to be vigilant.

I believe that my computer was accessed when I used a friends usb stick to download some pictures I had taken at their sons fifth birthday party. I think the spyware was on the usb stick waiting to strike.

I say this because I do not open or respond to spoof or phishing emails and can not think of any other way it cold have occured. I have the latest anti virus on my computer.

It started when I was getting an invalid argument dialogue box whenever I logged onto the internet.

I have lost my ebay account, hotmail account (no more telecasterguru@hotmail unfortunately) and my paypal account.

Someone was selling goods through my ebay account and the money was being deposited into my paypal account.

Fortunately I did not lose any money as I got onto it quickly but the time involved in dealing with the various web companies has been both consuming and frustrating and still has some way to go. Although I must admit that they have tried to help. Also, trying to remember details of accounts that were set up many years ago is very difficult if not impossible. (too many seniors moments)

So, everyone should be very alert and as I have since learnt to scan with malwarebytes (which is free) and change your passwords frequently.

Frank

Kal (Andrew) · #2 08-11-2009, 09:56 AM

That sure is a nasty piece of work you had. I quite often worry about these sorts of malware too, since I use my pc for so many money related activities now days.

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #3 08-11-2009, 10:54 AM

Sounds like a keylogger. What AV are yuo using? I've learnt that there are AV software and AV software. AVG is free, but, imho, not very good (resource hog and not the most accurate at finding viruses). Mcaffee isn't much better. Norton's is horrendous. Trend Micro and PC-cillin are abhorrent. NOD seems to be good, as does AVAST. I use Kasperky labs by default - best AV available on the market imho.

As to spyware - malwarebytes gets a good reputation. I'd also recommend Spybot.

If your machine has been compromised with something like a keylogger, it'll need to be removed and then every password changed. When dealing with stuff like this, imho, the best and ONLY way to be sure is to back up data, wipe system, wipe mbr and reinstall and put your data back on. Before putting data back on or installing 3rd party applications, install AV, update it and scan everything before you install it or copy it back to your computers hdd.

Dave

telecasterguru (Frank) · #4 08-11-2009, 11:15 AM

David,

I'm using Norton which I thought was OK. Then I got a message this morning that Symantec Service Framwork had stopped working and was closed. This doesn't sound good.

Malwarebytes scans show that there are no malicious viruses on the computer although it did find one first time around and that has been removed.

Frank

MrB (Simon) · #5 08-11-2009, 12:22 PM

Frank, what a nightmare!

I used to recommend SpyBot S&D to people, unfortunately I can no longer do that because I'm not sure it's doing its job.
Since I got this laptop a year ago, it has never found a single thing.. not one, even with re-installs and latest updates. I find that a little odd.

Will give Malwarebytes a go.

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #6 08-11-2009, 12:24 PM

Most people who work in the industry wouldn't touch Nortons with a 123 parsec barge pole! Kaspersky does have an online virus scanner, which is usually available from:

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

however it is unavailable at this point of time as they are rolling out a new and improved version.

You could try other online anti virus scanners (trend micro has one, not sure on avast or nod though). I'd strongly suggest this.

Dave

supernova1965 (Warren) · #7 08-11-2009, 12:33 PM

NORTONS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGG GGGGGGGGGHHH

Microsoft have finally figured out that they should provide free virus and malware protection as they should provide a OS that is secure so they have released Microsoft Security Essentials I have been using it since it was released and am very happy with it. It doesn't seem to effect performance at all and has already saved me several times with things it has caught its got my recommendation.

DavidU (Dave) · #8 08-11-2009, 12:39 PM

Any time I plug in a USB memory stick I scan it.
The kids seem to collect all sorts of nastys on USB sticks

Bobbyoutback · #9 08-11-2009, 11:20 PM

Hi all ,
I'm not that up with security , can you advice if I can be compromised by viewing Videos or just photos ?

Thanks Bobby.

MrB (Simon) · #10 08-11-2009, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrB

I used to recommend SpyBot S&D to people, unfortunately I can no longer do that because I'm not sure it's doing its job.
Since I got this laptop a year ago, it has never found a single thing.. not one, even with re-installs and latest updates. I find that a little odd.

Will give Malwarebytes a go.

Almost forgot... tried Malwarebytes, found nothing, so looks like Spybot may still be working afterall

Starkler (Geoff) · #11 09-11-2009, 12:33 AM

A couple of weeks ago I got nailed by a rootkit. ComboFix scanned and sorted it for me which is a free download.

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #12 09-11-2009, 12:58 AM

Also try CCcleaner, but make sure you get the real one from ccleaner.com from memory. F-prot also has a rootkit scanner (can't remember the name) - it's also free and quite good.

Dave

matt · #13 09-11-2009, 01:51 AM

I have avast! anri-virus, Spybot and Ad-Aware, and CCleaner on my lappy.

Never had an issue with that lot all at work, touch wood

csb (Craig) · #14 09-11-2009, 09:11 AM

To keep track of passwords & usernames, I use a little app called Locknote. It opens a notepad which itself is password protected.

Just make a list of websites with your usernames & passwords.

It gets good reviews on the web and it's simple & free.

Darius359au · #15 09-11-2009, 09:35 AM

Microsoft's Defender is a good option for a real time Malware scanner - Between it , CA's VET Av and Spybot I haven't had any nasties get on my system ,only problem I've ever really had is sometimes Vet throws up a false positive after an update but CA's usually very quick to fix it (I've used Vet for over 10 years and I can count the number of times there's been a FP issue on one hand

).

Dooghan (Dooghan) · #16 09-11-2009, 09:59 AM

I normally use a combination of Windows and Linux scanners. I normally have a copy of Ubuntu OS installed on a USB stick. I install on that the Linux version of AVG scanner. Every so often I get it out and boot from it to scan my PCs.

multiweb (Marc) · #17 09-11-2009, 10:17 AM

I've used Norton AV and ZoneAlarm Pro for as long as I can remember. Never been infected or hacked. Whatever combination of AV and firewall you're using just keep it up to date. It's a no brainer.

Starkler (Geoff) · #18 10-11-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

I have avast! anri-virus, Spybot and Ad-Aware, and CCleaner on my lappy.

Never had an issue with that lot all at work, touch wood

Avast didnt save me from getting rootkitted, which was partly my own fault for running a dodgy app.

matt · #19 10-11-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starkler

Avast didnt save me from getting rootkitted, which was partly my own fault for running a dodgy app.

bummer