Computer Geek Antivirus question

[skydivr]

Ok antivirus computer geek warriors, I need some info.

I have an employee's Win7 laptop, that was horribly infected (his daughters were using on internet, and must have said yes to everything); worst one I've ever seen. Had that fake "antivirus", and a bunch of other stuff (rootkits, trojans, etc). It had Symantec Endpoint 11 installed but don't think it was updated and it was corrupted/blocked also. I have counseled him about setting up their own profile and putting some serious parental controls into place for the future.

Finally had to use the Hiren's Boot CD, load the XP shell and run several of the disc-based AV apps before I could even install and run Malwarebytes, but that finally got it to start running so I could clean further. Ran into trouble trying to reinstall Symantec Endpoint ("side-by-side application error" that I could not research a fix for) so I finally gave up and installed Avast. Let it run all night and it found and cleaned a bunch more stuff. Computer seems to run fine this morning EXCEPT, for some reason, even though I am connected to the internet, my Network icon in the taskbar says "No internet access" even though I am clearly connected. What's up with that and how to I correct?

Also, I am a noob with Avast. Doug installed this on Tuf's computer and said it's pretty good for free, so I thought I'd try it. 2nd question is, since it says 30 days free unless 'register', what does registering do 'to' you?

Thanks!

 

[Sous]

Is the icon for the correct adapter that you are using to access the internet? For example, some PC's utilize different NICs and you must go in and disable them manually through the network sharing center to get it to disappear. Or, you could change it the network notification settings to not notify you when you are disconnected from a network and leave it at that.

I am not familiar with Avast, so no help there.

 

[Easy E]

Sometimes it's better to reinstall the operating system from a recovery disk or original operating system disk. As a matter of fact I'm doing that right now. Saves time in the long run and you'll have a nice clean install in which to start. Everything will b better for it. Just back up all your files first pics etc.

 

[skydivr]

Since it's not my machine, and I don't know where their original software or key is, didn't want to do that. Besides, I consider it a challenge too much to take the easy route.

In response to the other comment, no, this is the same adapter that was previously showing it was connected and there is only one NIC in this laptop.

Well...whaddya know, it's now showing it's connected. May have just taken a little time to get used to it's new configuration. Still need an aswer to the AVAST registration question thanks!

 

[skydivr]

Bump...nobody?

 

[si-lo]

It appears to just extend your trial for a year. AVAST

 

[Josh]

I'm a registered user of Avast, free edition. They email me now and then, and I have to "renew" my free-use license once a year. Pretty painless, and I haven't had any real adverse effects. It's pretty good for a freebie.

 

[skydivr]

I'm a registered user of Avast, free edition. They email me now and then, and I have to "renew" my free-use license once a year. Pretty painless, and I haven't had any real adverse effects. It's pretty good for a freebie.

Do you get endlessly spammed by them?

 

[Josh]

Do you get endlessly spammed by them?

No, actually. It's not too annoying.

 

[skydivr]

You've answered my question then thanks much. Do you think it's a decent product for protection?

 

[Josh]

You've answered my question then thanks much. Do you think it's a decent product for protection?

In my opinion it is. MCSE, RHCE, 15 years on the job with 10 of those at the same desk doing enterprise e-mail administration, to include anti-spam/anti-virus. Seems to be as effective as commercial offerings from Symantec and McAfee from a pure anti-virus perspective (not including all the extra features these things get bundled with as security suites), with a lot less hassle. There's a lot of bang in this one for zero bucks.

 

[skydivr]

Thanks for the technical imput! I know enough about computers/software to be dangerous

 

[superbeagle]

AVG for me. It is free also.

 

[Tm@nFL]

Avast is an ok product..

With an infection like you are fighting in the boot sector you are better off formating and reinstall the operating system. It will be faster in the long run and much more stable. Not to mention the peace of mind knowing that your not comprised.

This is from the standpoint of someone with 15 years of doing this computer stuff for a living.

 

[skydivr]

Avast is an ok product..

With an infection like you are fighting in the boot sector you are better off formating and reinstall the operating system. It will be faster in the long run and much more stable. Not to mention the peace of mind knowing that your not comprised.

This is from the standpoint of someone with 15 years of doing this computer stuff for a living.

Yeah, but then there's no 'thrill of victory'. If I were doing it for a living, you'd be correct, as it's the fastest, most efficient and SURE way to remove it. But, because I am stubborn, and I don't give up too easily, I like to see if I can beat it first. And it's not my machine

 

[captain]

If the machine is windows 7 then install Microsoft essentials virus and be done with it.. Its free! and no emails or hassles... does a good job.. Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

 

[skydivr]

If the machine is windows 7 then install Microsoft essentials virus and be done with it.. Its free! and no emails or hassles... does a good job.. Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

Thanks for the recommendation Doug!

 

[1ibandit]

Yeah, but then there's no 'thrill of victory'. If I were doing it for a living, you'd be correct, as it's the fastest, most efficient and SURE way to remove it. But, because I am stubborn, and I don't give up too easily, I like to see if I can beat it first. And it's not my machine

Hmmmm any machine you work on should be treated like your own.... How many hours have you spent on the computer trying to fix it? .... Wasting your time... Get magic jelly bean... Down load the version of winblows the bean says is on the computer. Back up pics, docs, and other files they need. Reinstall...partition hard drive...do all up grades, turn off upgrades, in services turn security center to manual, install, free zone alarm,free avast, update both, turn off updates. now the fun...
Make my documents folder on partition drive, open my computer right click on my documents click on properties click on move... Point to new my doc folder and ok it. Now move favorites to new folder(don't copy) ... Now the key to it all .... Install Deepfreeze after you learn about DF you will love it. You will NEVER have to deal with viruses again. You reboot and it is gone.... I have been doing the above since 2001 well over 100 computers... I am doing one now ... Ops... Doing two of them right now....

Only draw back to DF is you have to unfreeze and reboot to install some thing new(but how often do you install new things) On the same note if you have demo software it can be used for years if installed froze. Reboot and reinstall when needed... Oh and go to all the porn sites you want... All the hack and crack sites you want... Reboot when you are done and no trace anywhere...no viruses, no logs..no worries....unless you wife catches you before you reboot.

Sorry for the long story... Anyone want help PM me ....

This install takes about 2 hours, upgrading windows adds 2 hours..... Each of the two two hour steps you only need to be at the pc for 20 minutes.....
My 5 cents worth

 

[skydivr]

Hmmmm any machine you work on should be treated like your own.... How many hours have you spent on the computer trying to fix it? .... Wasting your time... Get magic jelly bean... Down load the version of winblows the bean says is on the computer. Back up pics, docs, and other files they need. Reinstall...partition hard drive...do all up grades, turn off upgrades, in services turn security center to manual, install, free zone alarm,free avast, update both, turn off updates. now the fun...
Make my documents folder on partition drive, open my computer right click on my documents click on properties click on move... Point to new my doc folder and ok it. Now move favorites to new folder(don't copy) ... Now the key to it all .... Install Deepfreeze after you learn about DF you will love it. You will NEVER have to deal with viruses again. You reboot and it is gone.... I have been doing the above since 2001 well over 100 computers... I am doing one now ... Ops... Doing two of them right now....

Only draw back to DF is you have to unfreeze and reboot to install some thing new(but how often do you install new things) On the same note if you have demo software it can be used for years if installed froze. Reboot and reinstall when needed... Oh and go to all the porn sites you want... All the hack and crack sites you want... Reboot when you are done and no trace anywhere...no viruses, no logs..no worries....unless you wife catches you before you reboot.

Sorry for the long story... Anyone want help PM me ....

This install takes about 2 hours, upgrading windows adds 2 hours..... Each of the two two hour steps you only need to be at the pc for 20 minutes.....
My 5 cents worth

uhhhh...what? jelly bean? Deep Freeze? are we in cooking class? You have to remember I am an amateur in a room of pros. It will take me a month to digest what you just told me. So you need to explain further what these things are. Like I said, I'm self taught and know just enough to be Dangerous. Yes, I spent 5-6 hours on this thing to include researching what I'd found.

Actually, I was being facetious about "It's not mine" as I would have gone immediately to the reinstall option if I didn't care what happened, or I would have pawned it off on someone else to fix.

 

[VIPER]

microsoft security essentials for sure. It is unbeatable and completely free. Avast Is ok but no were near the calibar of MSE