Combining Avast Pro with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is the best overall protection I have seen in the 17 years I have been in the computer business,

Malwarebytes software is free also...

------>>>>> http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Cajun / Al

 

Thanks to everyone who posted suggestions. I went with AVG. Free is great!

 

Well my PC nightmare is finally over.

After installing AVG, it kept finding a Trojan Virus called Aleuron.CT and Aleuron.UL

Every time I tried to clean the virus AVG would tell me that removal was not allowed.

One of our members had given me a link to Avast and I tried it. It never found the virus but my computer seemed to run just as slow as when I had Norton, which is my main reason for wanting to get rid of Norton.

So I researched this Trojan and found it is a very difficult virus to remove with ANY scanner/anti-virus software.

I then tried the Microsoft Security Essentials. It found the virus located in my System32 files on the first scan. After removing the virus it stated I needed to reboot to finish the clean up. I did. 15 minutes later it came back and stated it was in "systemroot".

I found a forum that had Microsoft techs on it and they gave me a number to call for FREE help.

Well 9 hours on the phone on 5 different occasions over a 7 day period, using every known scanner known to mankind (vipre, est, norman, procepx, windows, etc...) the virus just wouldn't go away. At times I had 5 scans going on at one time (10 hours to finish) and still they would remove what they found, but it always came back op the next re-boot.

BTW, this virus affects pc's differently some are completely disabled, some it just slows the system down. On mine it was a redirect, meaning everytime I searched for something and then clicked a link it redirected me to sites wanting to sell me a VIRUS PROTECTION and I could not get off their page or close the window without shutting down the PC manually. It also would not let Microsoft updates download, it would not let me start the PC in Safe Mode, it took about 14 minutes to boot up after restarting and every time I re-booted some or all of my quick start icons were missing on the bottom task bar.

So I had 3 choices, (A)Live with the virus, (B)Buy a new PC or (C) Erase the hard drive and reload Windows XP.

Since (A) was out of the question and (B) didn't make sense at Christmas time ($$$) I opted for (C).

I purchased a 300 GB external hard drive ($59.99). Moved all my important files to it. I then hooked the new external drive to another PC and scanned it using what I felt were the most effective scanners. The virus was not on the new drive.

I then erased the hard drive on my PC, reinstalled Windows XP and only loaded the original software that I really cared about. I then transferred all my files, data, pics, music, email contacts, videos, emails, Quicken files, etc..back to the PC.

Now my PC runs faster then it ever has. I have 1/2 the software that use to be on it, which is a good thing!

I waited 4 days before I posted this to make sure this ordeal was over and I believe it is.

The technicians felt the virus either entered from loading a disc from the office supply store Staples or from an IM on Facebook, Myspace or one of those social networks. I don't use them but my kids have gone to those sites on my PC before.

By the way know one is allowed on my computer now except me and I am still debating on the wife. I will probably have to let her on if I ever want to have happiness again.

I still can't believe that Microsoft never once tried to charge me for their time and assistance, something Norton tried to do when I got a virus a few years back and their software would't remove it.

I am going to stick with the Microsoft Security Essentials and hope this never happens again.

This may be my longest post ever.

 

Congrats on your defeat of the virus! I'll bet the victory is kind of bittersweet, given the the amount of wasted time and the expended effort to be rid of that pest.

Also, your post is somewhat shorter than most of the service bulletins you post up, just less personal.

 

It was like winning the superbowl!

My service bulletins are copy and paste. Much easier.

 

I have had to wipe 9 client systems since the Thanksgiving holiday....

Several had the infection you described. My rule....if I cannot clean the system
in 1-2 hours, I wipe it and reprogram.

Saves a lot of time and frustration...

 

I really appreciated your prior help.

One thing about it, everytime they took control of my pc through easy assist I got to learn a lot about cleaning a PC. I took lot's of notes while I watched them work on it and now I have enough knowledge to move me from dangerous to possibly harmful.

 

Great Info & good timing.

I been running 'Windows Live OneCare', bout $54. per year.
But they are discontinuing it later in 2010, so I've been looking around for some new protection..Litte pre-shopping as it were..

And I have never had a problem with FREE.. So unless someone posts up something better. When the time arrives I now have some options.

I just gotta make sure it is compatable with Windows Vista (don't laugh) it does ok..

 

If I can't get it out in an hour, it's all over and restart. Have not had to do that in a long time, ever since I started using Trend. Had to use it to access network at work and stuck to it, did not realize how effective it was till now.

Glad your OK now, let the wife use it........unless you like sleeping on the couch.

 

Norton used to be great, now it is a PITA! It does not even come with an uninstall. You have to go to their website to get it.