Comments on: I just narrowly avoided getting scammed (corrupted files)

By: petkoa

petkoa — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:11:09 +0000

I’d not use this PC in its current configuration. I’d transfer data files to external storage and would scan them thoroughly on a clean system (here is the place where money could be spent wisely…)

About the compromised system: boot from some LiveCD, wipe, fdisk, format, reinstall the system, transfer back scanned data – nothing less will make sense after what had happened.

No need to say this shouldn’t happen at all – but anyway, I’d say it again: if somebody calls and asks to go to a specific place and leave there the keys of your house/apartment, should you go there at all?

By: koohiisan

koohiisan — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:32:18 +0000

I usually install and run MalwareBytes for about three passes, cleaning up nasties each time. I only stop when it comes back with no malware found twice. But, as mentioned, you already have decent software protection, assuming that it is up-to-date and has not already been told to ‘ignore’ any potential malware.

I would treat that computer as an untrusted system until you can consistently test clean for viruses and malware. Be cautious about using shared USB drives on that system as well as networking it with other PCs as well.

By: tomliotta

tomliotta — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:25:48 +0000

Spending money on new software is not really an option here, so I’m looking for free things.

Assuming that you keep your products up to date, you seem to be running products that are about as good as they get for free.

Of course, if you ran a downloaded program and you responded with ‘Allow’ for any notifications from AVG, ZoneAlarm, etc., then there’s no telling what you might have given permission to do on your system.

Tom

By: Zyklqrswx

Zyklqrswx — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:55:20 +0000

I suspected as such. That being the case, I think the next thing to ask is: what software would you recommend?

For reference, I currently have AVG Anti Virus Free and PC Tools Spyware Doctor, as well as ZoneAlarm Security Scanner. Spending money on new software is not really an option here, so I’m looking for free things.

By: bigkat

bigkat — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:00:43 +0000

At BEST case, you were dealing with a “company” that wanted to SCARE you into paying them to fix a non-existent problem.

At WORST case, you’re files were read and your PC has been turned into a Zombie Bot full of malware waiting to send your important information to them and/or accept commands from them to be used in hacking operations

You need to run LEGITIMATE anti-malware and anti-virus software to make sure your PC is still only yours