hotfix.exe virus...how do I get rid of it?

[dead precedent]

I can end task in task mgr. but cant erase it with AVG,any tips before I pull my hair out >:( ???

[sirgonzo420]

I can end task in task mgr. but cant erase it with AVG,any tips before I pull my hair out >:( ???


Try booting into "safe mode with networking" updating AVG, and running a scan then?

[JDRock]

download malwarebytes......or go to majorgeeks.com and look for a removal tool...

[chad]

c: format/u

[sirgonzo420]

c: format/u


lol

you jerk

[Joe King]

I can end task in task mgr. but cant erase it with AVG,any tips before I pull my hair out

Hotfix.exe a/k/a Thinkpoint a/k/a RogueAV software?
If so, and if you have problems in attaining success with the previous suggestions, here's detailed instructions that should help.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-thinkpoint

[chad]

c: format/u


lol

you jerk

;D

[freespirit]

stop using windows, and switch to mac...lol

i used to have endless virus problems w/ windows, then i switched to mac...haven't had a virus since

[SilverMagnet]

Move to a better protection. Obviously AVG isn't doing the trick. My system is running Avast for the AntiVirus, Comodo Firewall (both free) and Malwarebytes (paid) TuneUp Utilities is also a great program for keeping your operating system is good shape.

EDIT: CCleaner is also a great program to get rid of temp files and clean your registry of unused file extensions.

[gunDriller]

I can end task in task mgr. but cant erase it with AVG,any tips before I pull my hair out >:( ???


get a butch (real short) hair cut, then you won't be able to pull your hair out ?


PC Tools Anti Virus.
http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/download/

SuperAntiSpyware.
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MechBGon's security page.
http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security2.html

[AOW]

I just had a virus that AVG missed and later could not detect and Malwarebytes also couldn't find. I finally went online and found the exact issue on a thread at Spywarehammer. The thread has a download for Combofix but that didn't do it for me. The third page of that thread has a download of TDSSkiller Root Removing Tool which is what ultimately fixed my issue.

http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?PHPSESSID=lak0qlml1o5j7kj6dlrheglh35&topic=9261.30

[LuckyStrike]

Long term Linux is your best bet.

However that isn't what you asked so.

My computer runs nearly 24/7 and has for years currently it's an
AMD Quadcore
5TB HDD
6GB DDR2
ATI 5770

So it's def. not top of the line but it's better than run of the mill

with that said I don't use anti virus software

I run Spybot SD and that is it
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

I also run CCleaner but that is more to clean the registry

Hopefully in the next few months I will get an SSD and I plan on leaving windows behind forever (switching fulltime to Fedora)

I would download Spybot, update it and run a full scan.

If that doesn't work report back.

[Bullion_Bob]

combofix....save to desktop...disable existing anti-virus...run combofix, answer yes, and ok to everything.

Bang...zoom. 20 mins round trip. Crisis averted.

[LuckyStrike]

combofix....save to desktop...disable existing anti-virus...run combofix, answer yes, and ok to everything.

Bang...zoom. 20 mins round trip. Crisis averted.


Absolutely, that is my 2nd step or what I do if I can't get the PC to go online.

[Bullion_Bob]

combofix....save to desktop...disable existing anti-virus...run combofix, answer yes, and ok to everything.

Bang...zoom. 20 mins round trip. Crisis averted.


Absolutely, that is my 2nd step or what I do if I can't get the PC to go online.


It downloads the MS resource kit before running so it can overwrite any core windows files, (and backs up the registry so you can roll it back if need be).

I've had it clean just the same without needing an internet connection, although you'll need a current version of combofix on your desktop somehow first. Spare PC, and a thumb drive is always nice. If you don't have connection issues before CF, you definitely shouldn't after wards.

No installation , no safe mode necessary, just get a recent copy on your desktop any way possible.

[Joe King]

I just had a virus that AVG missed and later could not detect and Malwarebytes also couldn't find. I finally went online and found the exact issue on a thread at Spywarehammer. The thread has a download for Combofix but that didn't do it for me. The third page of that thread has a download of TDSSkiller Root Removing Tool which is what ultimately fixed my issue.

This is the biggest problem with stuff like this. There's nothing out there that finds and fixes all the potential BS that'll hose-up a windoze box.
You obviously had the TDSS (http://) "virus", which is different from the hotfix problem.
...but either one will give a person a ton of grief, until you figure out what it is. lol



What I've found to be a good tool to see which "anti-something" software can actually find the bad stuff is Virus Total (http://www.virustotal.com).

You can upload suspicious files and have them checked against 40+ different AV software packages. (http://www.virustotal.com/file-scan/report.html?id=340d4bd6602c9c57aaca7579673242283e9 f1c8d737e1d00a5756e405320dc43-1290603225) <--- Example results
I've been amazed about how few of them actually find a problem with a particular file sometimes. Like in the example above. That file is "clean" per AVG, Avast, Superantispyware, Panda, Symantec, and a whole bunch more.
11 of them found something wrong with it, and only 7 of those ID'd it.

[Book]

I've been amazed about how few of them actually find a problem with a particular file sometimes. Like in the example above. That file is "clean" per AVG, Avast, Superantispyware, Panda, Symantec, and a whole bunch more. 11 of them found something wrong with it, and only 7 of those ID'd it.



I keep a full exact clone of my computer hard drive on a portable identical eSATA external drive. If I suspect a serious cootie infection I simply wipe my hard drive then re-clone to the original. Takes less than ten minutes.

:)

[Bullion_Bob]

I can end task in task mgr. but cant erase it with AVG,any tips before I pull my hair out >:( ???


A neat little trick that sometimes also works is to find the running process (executable) in task manager, then find the file on your drive.

Get the file ready in a window. End the task, then quickly delete the file, so it can't reseed as a process.

Helps to crack the nut so to speak.

Doesn't always work, but it usually let's you get more leeway with your browser for example in downloading the tools you need.

[Hatha Sunahara]

I had a bout with the TDSS virus earlier this week on my Windows laptop.

I fixed it buy downloading the Microsoft Windows Malware Removal Tool, which is free and you can download it from MS's web site. I ran it. It scanned the computer for about 90 minutes, but removed the immediate problem, and possibly a few more. The computer is now free of malware, and runs like I expect it to.

I normally use ESET Internet Security, but it failed to detect the TDSS virus. Whatever Antivirus you use, you need a little extra, more specialized boost for your protection. Malwarebytes offers some of that protection. But you really need a collection of tools to get your machine free of stuff that deprives you of the use of whatever the malware targets. My main symptom with TDSS was that something hijacked my Google searches--and sent me to other search sites instead of taking me to the links Google provided.


Hatha

[dead precedent]

Well just wanted to say thanks to everyone! I tried to restart in safe mode and it wasnt having it, couldnt get it to run after that so's I took it in for repairs,cost me $60 but it works like new! Thanks again!

[freespirit]

did your tech tell you what he did to correct the problem, or will it cost $60 again the next time?

[Joe King]

did your tech tell you what he did to correct the problem, or will it cost $60 again the next time?

If you'd like a side order of education to go along with your fix, that'll cost ya triple.
i.e. does a mechanic teach you how to do a valve job when you take your car in for one?

No they don't.
...but they provide a service for those that either can't or don't want to do it themselves.

[freespirit]

did your tech tell you what he did to correct the problem, or will it cost $60 again the next time?

If you'd like a side order of education to go along with your fix, that'll cost ya triple.
i.e. does a mechanic teach you how to do a valve job when you take your car in for one?

No they don't.
...but they provide a service for those that either can't or don't want to do it themselves.




might be worth it if its going to be a recurring problem. and it never hurts to ask questions...you'd be surprised what you learn.

when you take your car to the mechanic, do you just blindly pay the bill, or do you ask him what he did to it?

[Joe King]

did your tech tell you what he did to correct the problem, or will it cost $60 again the next time?

If you'd like a side order of education to go along with your fix, that'll cost ya triple.
i.e. does a mechanic teach you how to do a valve job when you take your car in for one?

No they don't.
...but they provide a service for those that either can't or don't want to do it themselves.




might be worth it if its going to be a recurring problem. and it never hurts to ask questions...you'd be surprised what you learn.

when you take your car to the mechanic, do you just blindly pay the bill, or do you ask him what he did to it?Long as he does what he says he's charging you for, does he owe you anything else?

Seriously though, I do understand what you're saying, and whenever I make peoples problems go away I always advise them on what to do next time....but you know what? They hardly ever seem to be able to. Instead, they make the same mistakes all over again and then wonder what happened.

It's probably just because too much time has passed since last time and seeing how they don't do it everyday, it hasn't been committed to memory.
Same as you might be able to watch someone drop the transmission out of your car and think, "hmm...that didn't look too hard"....but when it comes to actually doing it yourself, you end up with "extra" bolts left over when you're through.
BTW, I'm assuming in my analogy here that you're not an auto mechanic. :D

[freespirit]

hahaha...no, defiinitely not an auto mechanic...lol