removing virus popup alerts

Have read and followed basic virus removal stuff and computer (Xp)is clean according to AVG, REgister Mechanic, AntiVir, Norton etc, yet every time I boot up, I get a Norton virus alert popup that I cannot get rid of.

CAn anyone help? Thanks

 

Download HijackThis 1.99.1

Unzip the hijackthis.exe file to a folder you create named C:\Program Files\HJT

Do NOT run Hijack This from the Desktop, a temp folder, or a sub-folder of C:\Documents and Settings, or choose to run it directly from the ZIP file as your backups will not be safely stored.

Before running HijackThis: You must close each of the following:your web browser, e-mail client, instant messenger, and programs like notepad, wordpad, MS Word etc. And any other unnecessary running programs.

Run HijackThis and save your log file.

Post your log as an ATTACHMENT to your next post. (Do NOT copy/paste the log into your post as it will be removed).

Need help with HJT? See this thread: NO HIJACK THIS LOG FILES BEFORE READING THIS: HJT Tutorial & LOG File Posting

 

Hi BJ

Thanks for the advice. Attached is my hijack log result. Should I delete any of these programs? Thanks again.

Bill Kaiser

 

Your HJT log is blank! Try it again lol!

 

Hi BJ

I tried it again, and there should be some stuff in there. If so, can you advise me as to which, if any, files I should delete? Thanks for your help.

Bill

 

The first thing I notice is that your running AntiVir, AVG & Norton AV. You need to pick ONE and uninstall the other as running more than one antivirus program will cause conflicts on your computer.


Now scan with HijackThis and Check the Boxes for the following:

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://hsremove.com/done.htm

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing

O23 - Service: sdktemp - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\sdktemp.exe

Make sure All Browser Windows are Closed when you Click FIX.

NOW:
Click Start > Run > type services.msc and Click OK

Locate sdktemp and RightClick on it to bring up the Service Properties Window.
First: Stop the service by clicking the Stop Button.
Next: Disable it by changing the Startup Type to Disabled and click Apply

NOW:
Please boot into Safe Mode with the Viewing of Hidden Files & Folders Enabled and navigate to and DELETE the following if they should remain:

C:\WINDOWS\sdktemp.exe

NEXT:
Run CCleaner and Spybot S&D and have Spybot fix what it finds.
Note: Dont forget to update Spybot S&D by selecting "Search For Updates"

Then, as an added precaution, Go to Start > Run and type: cleanmgr and then click OK. Make sure the boxes for these are checked:
Temporary Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin

And Click OK.


Reboot to Normal Windows

FINAL STEP

Reset Web Settings & Default Security Settings:


To Reset Web Settings:
Right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.

If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK


To Default Security Settings:
Right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Security Tab and click Default Level for Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Sites, and Restricted Sites.


After you completed ALL of the above, Scan with HijackThis and attach the new log.

 

Thanks, BJ, will do. Of the multiple antiviral programs I have (AVG, antivir, trojan horse remover, Norton) would you have any recommendation as to which one to keep?

 

For antivirus, personally I would choose AVG AntiVirus along with ZoneAlarm Firewall. Both are free and both do a great job!

 

Hi BJ

Your analysis was right on the money. I had the sdktemp.exe file which I deleted, and now everything is running fine. Thanks very much, I really appreciate it.

bill

 

Your Welcome!

You should see this article on How to Protect yourself from malware!