Need network virus help! Can a wireless router have a virus

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by sincere, Apr 9, 2010.

  1. sincere

    sincere Private E-2

    Hello everyone, im new to the site, well moreso new to the forum aspect. Anyhow i have an issue and i am unsure on how to resolve it.

    I have three computers on my home network. Two being notebooks, and the other being a stand alone pc. The stand alone pc is connected directly to the internet and the others are connected to the internet via a wireless router that is connected to the stand alone pc.

    All three of my computers have been infected with the browser redirect virus. I have used several removal tools, such as hijackthis, gmer, combofix, dr cure it, etc. I have formatted the two laptops and reinstalled the os. The two laptops for sure were clean because they were tested by connecting to a wireless connection outside the home, and worked flawlessly. No signs of redirecting, or the inability to update drivers, antivirus programs, or windows.

    My question is sort of a three-parter. I connected the laptops back to the wireless network, and BAMM they were infected with the redirect virus again. I havent formatted the stand alone yet, simply because it is the main computer with alot of programs, software and other very important and vital business documents. Plus it is over 1TB.

    Could the problem be the stand alone pc, and it is wirelessly sending the virus to the laptops. Or could it be an infection in the router? If it is the pc then me curing, or formatting it should solve the problem. Or if i cure, format all three computers and replace the router should i be fine?

    In all honesty i just hate to go through the trouble of dealing with close to 1TB of info. But if it has to be done then so be it. If anyone can help me resolve this issue i would be oh so grateful.
     
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Many common forms of DNS hijacker infections will infect router firmware. What we commonly tell people is to do the below.

    Now just doing the above does not remove any components of the infection that may have gotten onto your PCs. You still need to clean your PCs. by following the instructions in the below link:

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

    And note that normally a router is connected to the internet thru a cable or DSL modem or similar ( or your modem could also be a router ) and the other side of the router no matter whether wired connection or wireless is then connected to all PCs. Thus if his is how you have your network setup, your laptops are also directly connected to the internet just like what you call your "stand alone" but the laptops just connect thru the wireless interface. A typical picture of the connections would like below although this just depicts all wireless. Just pretend the Desktop PC has a wire to the router. Double click to expand the image

    wireless_chart.jpg
     

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