Photobucket Virus

[lilgrouch]

I am new to this forum so please forgive me if I've written in the wrong area. I was using photobucket this afternoon when all of a sudden I was hit with lots of viruses. I have a supsav.smss32 and a win32.agent.du and I'm not sure what else. I used spybot to find them and when it fixed them after I restarted my computer my screen is now blank. It does nothing. Someone please help. I can't give any stats because my computer is basically a screen.

Please help!!!
Thank you.

[shelf life]

hi,

Can you boot into safe mode? To reach safe mode you would tap the f8 key during a computer restart and chose the first option from the list: safe mode.

[lilgrouch]

Hi thanks for replying. I was able to boot in safe mode but it wouldn't load the desktop just the wallpaper. Basically safe mode or regular would just be a blank screen.

However, I brought it in to be fixed and got it back yesterday.

[shelf life]

ok, So all is good then?

[lilgrouch]

Yes thank goodness. I was given a new antivirus program though so now I have to figure out how that works. It's Symantec Antivirus.

Thank you so much for trying to help. I truly appreciate it. :bigthumb:

[shelf life]

Your Welcome. Now that you have a new start here are some tips to help you remain malware free:

10 Tips that should help *Reduce and Prevent* your risk To Malware:


1) It is essential to keep your OS (http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us),(Windows) browser (IE, FireFox) and other software up to date to "patch" vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Visit Windows Update frequently or use the auto-update feature. Staying updated is also necessary for web based applications like Java, Adobe Flash/Reader, QuickTime etc. Check there version status here. (http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/)

2) Know what you are installing to your computer. Alot of software can come bundled with unwanted add-ons, like adware, toolbars and malware. Do not install any files from ads, popups or random links. Do not fall for fake warnings about virus and trojans being found on your computer and your then prompted to install software to remedy this. Use the Alt+F4 key to close your browser. See also the signs (http://www.virusvault.us/signs1.html)that you may have malware on your computer.

3) Install and keep updated: one antivirus and two or three anti-malware applications. If not updated they will soon be worthless. If these are constantly finding malware on your computer then its time to review your computer habits.

4) Refrain from clicking on links or attachments via E-Mail, IM, IRC, Chat Rooms, Blogs or Social Networking Sites, no matter how tempting or legitimate the message may seem. Do you trust the source?

5) Don't click on ads/pop ups or any offer from websites requesting that you need to install software to your computer--*for any reason.* Use the Alt+f4 key to close your browser.

6) Don't click on offers to "scan" your computer. Install ActiveX Objects with care. Do you trust the website to install components?

7) Set up and use limited (non-privileged) accounts for everyday use, rather than administrator accounts. Limited accounts (http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/advanced/useraccount.mspx) can help prevent *malware from installing and lessen its potential impact.*

8) Install and understand the *limitations* of a software firewall.

9) A tool (http://nsslabs.com/general/ie8-hardening-tool.html)for automatically hardening and securing Internet Explorer 8.0. Requires site registration for downloading. Changes some of the default settings of IE 8.0, Read the FAQ's.

10) Warez, cracks etc are very popular for carrying all kinds of malware payloads. Using them will cause you all kinds of problems. If you download/install files via p2p (http://www.virusvault.us/p2p.html) networks then you are also much more likely to encounter malicious code. Do you really trust the source of the file? Do you really need another malware source?

A longer version in link below.

Happy Safe Surfing.