What's wrong with my computer?

[StreamOfTheSky]

Yeah, sounds like the "2008 version" that hit me. My friend managed to fix it without wiping my hard drive. He said it established a root kit, which is why it seemed to "keep coming back." He used Super Antispyware, Malwarebytes, Avast!, Spybot, and some other programs for the rootkits (I think one was called SDfix, I can't remember for sure). If the malware won't let you download the programs from the web (like mine did), you could still get them from another computer, put them on a flash drive, and bring them to your computer that way. I hope you get the problem solved.

 

[physics_ninja]

Regarding the discs I do have that discs that I used to upgarde from 98 to 2000. Will those work?

As far as downloading goes that seems to still work. At least it did for the malwarebytes download.

The main problem is I can't get to a website that I do secret shopping for. All I get is a "server not found" error. But I can get to it from my work computer.

And there is a "class" of websites that won't show the pictures, just those little "x"s.

Everything else seems to work fine.

Actually, that cookie delete I mentioned earlier. They all seem to still be there.

It strikes me as very strange that a virus would be designed to do these things.

I'll let you know how things go.

 

[physics_ninja]

I had something close to this happen to me last month, after 2 weeks of trying to figure it out I just blew away the drive and did a fresh install.

You may not have what I had though.. check your host file though, usually the cause of such problems

Just to be clear, how does one check a host file.

(every time I get a virus I learn a little bit more about computer nuts and bolts )

 

[Rackhir]

Regarding the discs I do have that discs that I used to upgarde from 98 to 2000. Will those work?

If it was an actual "Upgrade" copy of windows, then you would need to install the original version of windows and then use the upgrade disk.

However, AFAIK there was never an "upgrade" version of Windows 2000 for use with W98. So that should be a "full" copy of windows 2000, that you can install on it's own.

As far as downloading goes that seems to still work. At least it did for the malwarebytes download.

The main problem is I can't get to a website that I do secret shopping for. All I get is a "server not found" error. But I can get to it from my work computer.

The virus/rootkit writers can't control everything about your access to the internet any more than China can for it's citizens. So it's not unusual for there to be inconsistencies like that.

I don't know what to suggest specifically for fixing your website access. It sounds like it's screwing with your DNS, probably trying to re-direct your web browsing to sites they get advertising dollars from or which they use to download further malware on to your machine.

Re-installing your OS (and only retaining data files) should cure this, but you will be loosing stuff like automatic web site logins and what not.

And there is a "class" of websites that won't show the pictures, just those little "x"s.

Everything else seems to work fine.

Actually, that cookie delete I mentioned earlier. They all seem to still be there.

The individual pictures on any website have to be downloaded, with broadband this usually happens so quickly that it isn't a major delay. So somehow it's either blocking access to the pictures or perhaps trying to force you to sites that benefit them.

FYI, if you are talking about the "Class" of websites, you seem to be implying. They are primary vectors for malware and spyware. So caveat emptor.

It strikes me as very strange that a virus would be designed to do these things.

I'll let you know how things go.

Much of it is probably not deliberate, but is a side effect of screwing with the operation of your system.