Got a Virus - Fuck Norton
 

So my wife gets a IM on MS Messenger yesterday from one of her "buddies" that says "LMAO - check out this site - too funny (with link)." Being as it was one of her buddies, she clicks the link - whalla - instant virus.

We have Norton Internet Security installed and updated so it should have caught it, but of course it did not.

So my wife calls up Norton Tech support for help. Level 1 support wa $29.95 - whatever, we paid it. They can't do shit for us, so they have to send us to level 2 support. We get to them and they say to help us, it is going to be another $40.

What kind of fucked up scam is that. First we pay through the nose for a anti-virus software program for 3 computers that is suppose to prevent viruses from infecting our computer, then we get one and they charge us again to help us clean our computers.

Best part is, they still have no clue how to get rid of it. The virus won't my wife access the symantec.com to get a live update (she can't type their address into her address bar and get to the site). Plus it constantly changes her home page.

So two things: (1) Norton Sucks and (2) Any help fixing the problem would be great!

that sucks :disgust

Damn..I guess an expensive lesson..never open any link in any instant messenger

Get Nod32, Norton is pure shit. And charge back what you paid for it.

Try Kaspersky...

Kaspersky or Nod32 are the best antivirus. Why you would even install bloatware Norton is beyound me.

Might want to tell her friend she has a virus too btw.

you should always wear a condom.

www.antivirus.com use the free online tool . throw away nortons and chargeback the fee you already paid..

agreed nod32 rocks

Sounds like spyware, not a virus.

If they didn't solve your problem, get a refund for the support or charge it back, you shouldn't pay for nothing.

oh man thats fucked.

:thumbsup

I have always hated Norton...now I know why! good luck though...:)

yeah antispyware

install spybot and let it fix your host file (or change it manually)

dont forget to update spy bot before you use it, if you go that route

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ use it all the time when ever i don't trust my own virus protection ...

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ use it all the time when ever i don't trust my own virus protection ...

:thumbsup sorry, i forgot to mention that....

Fuck Norton, I never trust nerds.

Anyways, google IM viruses, they usually have a removal tool.

goto the directory

C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\

open the file "hosts" in notepad

There should be some stuff commented out..lines that start with a #

The only line below those should be

127.0.0.1 localhost

If there is extra stuff besides that line above remove it.

That is what is most likely blocking you from visiting certian sites

Never hurts to mention it lol :)


As some others have said, fuck norton and their over-bloated resource hogging shit :2 cents:

Try to use Kaspersky Internet Security, great tool for protecting from your PC from viruses, hacker attacks, adware, spam and spyware.
http://www.kaspersky.com/kis6?chapter=185166750

so what's better Avast or karpesky?

my partner had kaspersky on his pc until some trojan slowed down our whole network. i installed http://www.free-av.com/ and it found 9 viruses - on a kaspersky protected pc - go figure...

there's a full version of AntiVir that also protects email etc for like $50 a year, i'd recommend that. but even the free version works great, just without outlook plugin

Agreed, Kaspersky sometimes cant find spyware or viruses installed on your PC but others can, for example Avast, but sometimes Avast cant find, but Kaspersky can...So i think it depends of database of each product.

2Topic starter, just try any of recommended products and choose which one is the best for you.

Never had any problems with Norton. Their 2007 version also protects against spyware etc, not just viruses any more. Not only do I run updates and scans using Norton but I regularily use spybot and lavasoft to get rid of spyware. I can never tell what is causing the problem (virus versus spyware) so I use all tools to tackle it.

People really still use Norton??? That's hysterical.

Not really, it's called smart marketing and maybe we should learn a thing or two from Symantec. :winkwink:

I agree completely, and as for Kaspersky - you should as often as you can get the newest versions of it.:warning

Fuck that........just buy new computer

Okay, here is part of your problem: You didn't get a virus in the normal sense, you got social engineered. Nothing was automatically installed on your computer, you clicked a link and ran an .exe or installer yourself manually. Many anti-virus programs are not good at dealing with that circumstance.

I don't even think Norton scans IMs.

Did you have windows defender installed? That might have caught at least some of it. Norton will likely get rid of the damage, but you are going to have to run something like spybot S&D or similar to get rid of the annoying hosts issue.

You can also try doing as much as possible offline. DISCONNECT the network from the computer, so that it cannot communicate with the scumware homebase to get stuff while you are trying to remove it.

Format C and sell your computers on ebay, then get a mac

Norton sucks, McAfee Sucks, go with AVG Free Edition

yep, nod32, norton is horrible

lol... nut less pleasere with this thing.... :)

Get a Mac.

I have bitdefender...it's the best imho...along with spybot s&e & Ad-aware SE

then donate the mac to some nerd club and buy a real pc