Suspect I have Malware or a Virus

[jgglpg]

I suspect I have malware or a virus, I was notified that an email account has sent out many unwanted messages from my daughters email account from our family computer. Plus the computer runs slow. Any help is appreciated.

JGG

[Jintan]

Hello jgglpg,

Not real sure how to say the member name out loud.

More and more lately I am finding that email spamming suggests the email account has been compromised in some fashion, so be sure to go to a different computer than this problem one, and change any email passwords. Often that kills the spam problem.

And let's take a look, and see what all is there.


If the system is Vista/Windows7, when running any of the scan files we use, be sure to right click the file, then select "Run as administrator" to start the scan/tool.

And To make sure you have an accurate view of files there, make sure you can View Hidden Files. Also uncheck "Hide Extensions for Known File Types"


To keep them from interfering with the repairs, be sure to temporarily disable all antivirus/anti-spyware softwares while these steps are being completed. This can usually be done through right clicking the software's Taskbar icons, or accessing each software through Start - Programs. Here are some antivirus disable tips if needed.

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Click here and download OldTimer's OTL to your desktop, then click that to open the scan display. At the top click "Scan All Users", then click "Run Scan". Make no other changes at this time.

When the scan completes, it will open two notepad windows. OTL.Txt and Extras.Txt. These are also saved in the same location as OTL.exe. Post the contents of those back here please.

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Click here and download the installer for Gmer to your desktop, then click that file to run Gmer.


Once the opening scan finishes, click on Scan (again, before scanning, make sure all other running programs are closed and no other actions like a scheduled antivirus scan will occur while this scan completes. Also do not use your computer during the scan).

When completed, click on the Copy button and rightclick on your Desktop, choose "New" > Text document. Once the file is created, open it and rightclick again and choose Paste. Copy the information and post it here please.

Note - If Gmer shows it has located infection once it's opening scan completes, do not click the Scan button. We don't want hidden malware settings to cause any problems. Instead, just click on the Copy button and rightclick on your Desktop, choose "New" > Text document. Once the file is created, open it and rightclick again and choose Paste. Copy the information and post it here please.

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Download aswMBR ( 511KB ) to your desktop.

• Double click the aswMBR.exe icon to run it
• Decline a download of avast itself if offered
• If avast! antivirus is already installed, go to the dropdown next to AV engine: and select (none)
• Click the Scan button to start the scan
• On completion of the scan, click the save log button, save it to your desktop and post it in your next reply.

A lot, but comprehensive, and will make sure we get a good view of everything.