Am I infected?

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by old dog, Jun 16, 2009.

  1. old dog

    old dog Private E-2

    Hi,
    I am getting dozens of emails supposedly from banks telling me my account has had repeated unsuccessful logon attempts and asking me to follow links to update details. Of course I don't follow links and delete the message, but, the thing that worries me is that I have several different accounts from several different banks and the emails are only about the banks I'm with and have internet access to. My questions are:
    Although Spybot, Windows defender and Avast AV are clear, is there any chance my computer has been compromised.
    If so, would changing the passwords and the like from a different computer safeguard my accounts until this one has been cleaned.
    Any advice will be appreciated, Old Dog.
     
  2. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Yes, you do need to change your passwords using a different computer. Then;

    Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

    • If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First. If TDSSserv is not found, just continue on with the READ & RUN ME.
    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

    • If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.
    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:

    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:

    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
     
  3. old dog

    old dog Private E-2

    TimW, Thanks for your reply and advice.
    I had allready started a clean re-install, me being as paranoid as I am. I have been in contact with the banks and it seems the problem is a email spam problem and is safe as long as no links are followed. There thousands of people being bombarded with them.
    Thanks again for your attention, old dog.
     
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Sorry to hear that you had to reformat. Just for future reference:

    Malware detected in email databases has to be cleaned up by you. You have a few choices:

    1. delete the whole file which is not an option you normally want to use
    2. load the email folder that contains the infection and delete ALL unnecessary emails (hoping to remove the problem email) and then use the Mailbox Cleanup option to delete all old emails. Then compact the Outlook database to permanently remove data. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/196990 If you do not cleanup and compact the databases, the deleted emails may still be leaving hidden information in the database that you just cannot see but a scanner may still pickup on it.
    3. create a new folder and move only emails you really need into the new folder and then delete the infected folder.
     

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