"5 days ago ..." Topic

… I installed Adblock Plus TMP link

Today I ran Microsoft Security Essentials as usual, and brought up a "Trojan" warning. I said to clean it up, and it locked up instead; proceeded increasingly slowly until the progress bar got c. three-quarters of the way and stopped. I tried this three times, same thing.

Tried a system restore. It would not complete.

Tried to enter "safe mode". Cannot access safe mode.

Tried three different ways to engage system restore, including a clean reboot (with all startup items disabled). Not a thing.

What I want to do is get Adblock Plus OFF my machine (I'm through trying to enjoy YouTube playlists or long videos that contain ads, period, it ain't worth it), without uninstalling it. I want my machine restored to the point before I put Adblock Plus on it.

Help is appreciated, definitely….

When I try and enter safe mode on booting up, I hold down the keys "F8", and I get a continuous beeping noise, then the black screen comes up that shows this:

"Windows Boot Manager"
Choose operating system or press TAB to select
(Use arrow keys to highlight your choice, then press ENTER.)
To specify an advanced option for this choice, press F8
Tools:
Windows Memory Diagnostic

That's IT! No "safe mode" option displays on my machine. I've never tried to enter safe mode before. But then, I've never had system restore fail to take before.

Furthermore, the "arrow keys" do nothing whatsoever on this boot manager screen. And F8 gives me nothing either, so no so-called advance options, whatever they might be….

link
Do I even need to look any further?
And, what does this imply for the future of my machine?…

I would start seriously considering a reinstall.

Do you have:

A: Information on your machine that isn't backed up elsewhere?

B: Install media (CD, USB stick, DVD) for whichever operating system version you are running?

None, nope. Bought this HP laptop at the "Buy More", heheh. No discs or software of any kind came with it. So, no reinstall, unless I want to consign my machine into the hands of the "Nerd Herd".

I have a Western Digital peripheral hardrive with all of my files on it….

Btw, the history of Security Essentials shows that the Trojan "Dynamer!ac" has been removed the last two Sundays running, or, once on the 19th and before that on the 12th. But this time, as I said, it failed to complete the removal: there is no listing for the 26th. That means that Adblock Plus has nothing at all to do with it. Maybe "Panorama Plus", which I installed before the 12th….

It is very odd. The third removal of "Dynamer!ac" has just entered the history list, for today, the 26th, not ten minutes ago. Why does Security Essentials find a threat, but not complete the removal of it until many hours later? This, I had not noticed before….

So why is this Trojan appearing weekly, to be removed weekly? That is alarming….

If it is appearing on a regular basis, could mean that a program that you access on a regular basis is introducing it. I would suggest as a start downloading something like AVG free link or similar and do a full scan. Then something like Advanced System Care to do a full system check. link
Another one to consider loading is Spybot search and destroy link

MSE used to be very well regarded. Not so much anymore.

link
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Tim

Yes, I saw that same page yesterday. Too bad.

What is the best freeware antivirus if MSE is not viable?…

link that doesn't sound good!

link
Trying to install Panda (cloud) antivirus, and this happens. "Hijack"? If I click on that overlaying screen what happens next?

The dammed thing is already in my list of installed programs, three of them: Panda Devices Agent, Panda Free Antivirus, and Panda Security Toolbar. So what's up with that "There was an error during the process and it failed to complete successfully. Get your product by clicking the following button and start again the installation process"?

I don't think so!

Who do I talk to about this?…

Don't know who to contact.

In the past, the IT bunch used to use Malwarebytes for trojans.

They let you do a trial that is long enough to clean a machine without having to buy. At least in the past haven't needed them for a couple of years.

…Malwarebytes…They let you do a trial that is long enough to clean a machine without having to buy.

Yeah. Furthermore, if you wait until the original license *just about* expires, ignoring their daily tickler ads, Malwarebytes will eventually let you re-up with another free license for another year.

"…You'll be absolutely free!" – Frank Zappa

"Panda Free Antivirus" found two PUP and two Trojan programs with a full scan, which took over two hours (not bad, lots faster than MSE). I like it already. We'll see.

I joined their forum and left a post showing "my" "error during the process" screen shot. No response as of yet….

Load this and use it for free:

safer-networking.org

Free is nice. But two programs working at the same time? That sounds dicey….

What is the best freeware antivirus if MSE is not viable?…

I wish I knew, GWA. Wife and I used MSE for years. We switched to Mcafee a year ago after reading similar articles about the decline of MSE. The university where I worked until last March offered it for free. It's still working but then again, they have a policy of issuing email for life, so I'm fairly lucky.

Same with my web site, though I will have to change the URL soon as my original email address, on which the site is based, is locked "for secuity" – the useless HR empire there does nothing but think of stupid new rules as formerly employees kept their originals, but they will give me another as soon as I ask for one.
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Tim

I use Aviator. Google hates them because Aviator prevents Google from collecting information and surfing habits. It also blocks pop-up ads that block what you are trying to look at. It's funny that Google would say that Aviator is insecure. Half the code in it comes from Chrome.

I tried using several other web browsers to look at one site. There was a really nice battle map that I was trying to look at. Each one failed at the critical moment. No matter how I scrolled the page around the ad kept moving. Then I tried Aviator.

I was able to look at the battle map and enjoy it in peace, not pieces. When I went to Ebay, the advertisers were not able to add their links to the return/back stack. In short, when I hit the back button Aviator took me to the previous page. I was not required to hit the back button 5 times to return to the previous page.

Another advantage, Aviator does not wait for ads to load to make buttons and links operational.

The only drawback is that Aviator blocks cookies. This means I have to log into TMP every time I want to post or reply.