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#1
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy
Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. |
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#2
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
Seems you have no antimalware tool installed, you will need to run the
Malicious Software Removal Tool. Search for that on Microsoft's page. Then install Microsoft Securities Essentials, search for that on Microsoft's page as well. Install that and you should be in better shape. If that fails, take the machine to a service center and expect to pay $100 to have it cleaned up. "Charles W Davis" wrote in message ... Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. |
#3
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
I would have already done what you have suggested. How does one start
anything. My USB flash drive isn't even recognized. Ctrl+ESC won't open the Start menu. "New Fieend" wrote in message ... Seems you have no antimalware tool installed, you will need to run the Malicious Software Removal Tool. Search for that on Microsoft's page. Then install Microsoft Securities Essentials, search for that on Microsoft's page as well. Install that and you should be in better shape. If that fails, take the machine to a service center and expect to pay $100 to have it cleaned up. "Charles W Davis" wrote in message ... Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. |
#4
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
"Charles W Davis" wrote in
: Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. Info on "Privacy Center" he http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-050702-2910-99 You don't say what you've tried to start Explorer... Have you tried starting Explorer by going to Task Manager then, in the "Applications" tab, clicking "New Task" then entering C:\Windows\explorer.exe ??? HTH, John |
#5
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
Charles W Davis wrote:
Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. Another approach to malware, is to boot an alternate OS disc and scan from there. This is an example of such a disc. http://devbuilds.kaspersky-labs.com/...ds/RescueDisk/ You burn a CD with the download. Use a tool like Nero to convert the ISO9660 download, into a bootable CD. Don't just "copy" the file to a CD. The ISO9660 needs to be converted with the burning utility. Then, boot the affected computer with the new CD. The CD is a Linux system and boots using available memory. Once started, it uses DHCP to connect to Kaspersky using your Internet connection. As long as the networking in your room is already set up, for computers using DHCP, the Kaspersky CD should be able to contact Kaspersky and get virus updates, downloading them into system memory on the infected computer. I don't really know how good this particular tool is, and I'm only presenting the *concept* of booting with something other than the original Windows, as a recovery mechanism. The Kaspersky CD quarantined the EICAR "test virus" I put on my C drive, but I haven't tested what it does when real malware is present. ******* Connecting a hard drive to a second computer, is another way of working on that drive. I expect MBAM, suggested here, would work best if used while you're booting the infected computer. I don't know if it would work well on the drive, if it is just connected as a data drive. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/viru...privacy-center You can see the list of Privacy Center files at the end of the article. It looks like "agent.exe" is a key component of the rogue. So even renaming the agent.exe file would be a start. But you likely have so many other problems, that concentrating on "agent.exe" at this point would be a waste of time. Paul |
#6
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
Repost:
There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware infection! NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help! Microsoft PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in dealing with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted software), and adware. https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...prid=7552&st=1 Also available via... Consumer Security Support home page https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/ Otherwise... 1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually: http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it. 2a. WinXP = Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm 2b. Vista or Win7= Run this scan instead: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm 3. Now run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting requested logs in an appropriate forum, not here. Checking for/Help with Hijackwa .. http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm .. http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html .. http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm .. http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware **Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0, http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5, http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup, http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.** If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop. Charles W Davis wrote: Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. |
#7
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
you should boot in safemode as administrator you should find a number
program running in msconfig startup uncheck that reboot look at properties of icon on desktop delete target and icon reboot that should work Charles W Davis wrote: Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. |
#8
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
On Dec 14, 10:19*pm, "Charles W Davis"
wrote: Computer Club member's Dell laptop. *The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. Sounds like you are going to have a hard time "trying" suggestions, huh? But, go ahead and try them and when you get done trying, holler. |
#9
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
Uh-huh... Now pull the other one!
Smiles wrote: you should boot in safemode as administrator you should find a number program running in msconfig startup uncheck that reboot look at properties of icon on desktop delete target and icon reboot that should work Charles W Davis wrote: Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. |
#10
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
"Charles W Davis" wrote...
Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. 1. Shut down the computer. 2. Disconnect from the internet - remove all Ethernet cables & disable the WiFi radio 3. Boot into the Administrator account into Safe Mode 4. Open Windows Explorer, Make sure your settings show hidden files 5. On your hard drive, go to C:\Program Files\. Look for a folder named PCCenter. Delete ONLY that folder. If you get a message that not all files were deleted, repeat steps 1-5. This won't completely remove all of the malware named "Privacy Center", but it should stop it from running. Update your antivirus definitions and do a full scan. |
#11
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
"John Wunderlich" wrote in message ... "Charles W Davis" wrote in : Computer Club member's Dell laptop. The computer starts up with the Privacy Center stating there are 140 infections and all sorts of other problems. One can't open the start menu (no Task bar), can't open Windows Explorer, and so on. When starting in safe mode, I can shut Privacy Center down using the Task Manager after the third attempt. The first two times, it says that it can't shut it down... Still can't open Windows Explorer or see the task bar. I haven't the foggiest notion as to where to go now. Any suggestions appreciated. Info on "Privacy Center" he http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2009-050702-2910-99 You don't say what you've tried to start Explorer... Have you tried starting Explorer by going to Task Manager then, in the "Applications" tab, clicking "New Task" then entering C:\Windows\explorer.exe ??? HTH, John John, With your suggestion regarding opening the explorer.exe, I was able to do many things, but was unable to do anything in safe mode, the Privacy Center window covered the entire desktop in the lower resolution of safe mode. The Task Manager would not open on top of the Privacy Center so was unable to go further. He couldn't find his Dell installation disk. He is off to get Dell to send him one. An Airline Pilot that was laid off 18 months ago, doing some contract flying since, but sporadic. He bought an inexpensive reconditioned laptop at Fry's Electonics. Left the local Executive airport this morning for a contract flight to Jedda, Saudi Arabia. Thanks to all that provided suggestions. |
#12
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Infected with "Privacy Center"
"Charles W Davis" wrote...
: With your suggestion regarding opening the explorer.exe, I was able to do many things, but was unable to do anything in safe mode, the Privacy Center window covered the entire desktop in the lower resolution of safe mode. The Task Manager would not open on top of the Privacy Center so was unable to go further. Press the Windows key, then while holding it down, press the 'R' key. This will open the Run dialog. Type in 'explorer' and then click O.K. and a Windows Explorer window will open up. Alternately, you can also type in 'cmd' and then click O.K. and a command window will open up. |
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