Virus or Trojan?

My computer is really screwed up. I log on and its ok, for 30 minutes. When i log on to AOL all hell breaks loose. I can't move my mouse, i can use my keyboard though. I used a program to moniter the traffic in and out. I wasn't on any website and i was using maximum bandwidth still! Im guessing this is a trojan, but i was wondering what ya'll think. I can't wipe out my computer and reinstall windows, because first i don't have the reboot disks, second i do all my banking on the PC, third i own a business and all my files are on the PC. I can't back-up on floppies because it'll take to long, and take millions of floppies. I don't have a CD Burner. Anyways, if u have some advice thanks in advance!

-G

Do you have some virus scanning software installed? If so, have you kept the virus definitions files up to date?

Can you actually onto the internet? If so, you can try to download a trojan scanner. If you visit Blackcode.com\scan you can do an online scan for open ports on your PC and trojans. It does take a while, and I'm not sure how good a scan it does, but it's probably worth the while. Let me know how it turns out!

I won't pretent to be the most knowledgeable person here, but I do two things whenever something "suspicious" is happening on my machine.

1. What was the LAST thing you did before you noticed the problem - meaning what did you download, what site did you visit, what app. did you close, did you exit a trial version of anything, etc, etc.

2. This is especially if I suspect a trojan - do a search for all files, look at ONLY today (or whenever you first noticed you problem), then, compare that list against a list from BEFORE you had the problem. Look for really large HTML files or anything that looks out of the ordinary. This is one quick way to check for questionable files.

Hope this helps.

What OS you're running, ram, connection type might be helpful. As well antivirus software that you have.

Only knowing what you've stated, for a solution, get something like Partition magic, or do a search on how to create partitions on your hard drive. And then move all your documents/files to the new partition, reformat your primary partition, and reinstall your OS...

That's all I can provide for now...

Well we all know AOL sux and ..... That's that. Are you running Aol's crappy proprietary software? I've known several ppl who had the same problem until they changed ISP's. Does AOL still use their own client/ protocol? If so you'll probably have to scrub those also. Haven't had much personal experience with AOL in 8 yrs or so, so that's the extent of the help I can offer.

Oh BTW, did I mention that AOL sucks?

Im running Windows 98 second edition. I have a anti-virus. I should have put this in:
I boot with my Norton anti-virus, up-to-date, and I found 146 Viruses on my comp. I deleted them all. My comp ran fine for a while, then i ran my online banking thing and it screwed up again. So i ran norton and found 16 more viruses/trojans. I deleted the. The samething happened, only norton couldn't find any viruses/trojans/etc. I'm oretty sure i have 64 MB of RAM. I don't know my connection type, i know i just log into AOL 56k. Not broadband. I don't remember when this first started it was sometime during this summer. If i can't do anything i'll have to transfer the files from that comp to this comp, its that i don't know if any of those files are corrupted or infected. Thanks for the replies!

I know AOL sux, thats why im getting COX highspeed cable. Its just these files are really important, and i don't know if its worth the money for cable.? Once again thanks for the replies.

Oh and one more thing if this helps, im running AOL 6.0, i can't download 7.0, or 8.0 becuase like i said its toooooo slow.

http://www.antiy.net/ghostbusters/agb3.exe

This products maybe help you.

i advice everybody to see this webpage .
althought it is small but it has alot of links to the most useful issues.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/slacker55/index.htm

Dont use AOL problem solved, Buy a used cheap cd burner... problem solved. Try and install a up to date virus checker if it finds something clean it, problem solved.

slacker im sorry but how will any of that stuff help our on this guys problem just a few linux mans.??

Just for interest .. Just what were the virii that were found/removed/returned? Perhaps it may be more than just a recuring virii, perhaps a registtry key that isn't being repaired during the virus removal.. hence the return.. (had a customer with that problem with Brasil.exe......)

Cheers

I've had AOL lock my system before...

1) download AVG it is an oustanding virus scanner ....it detects **** that nortons and mcafee do not..if it is a virus.....well it will also pic up trojans..

2) when you are connected to the internet go into start menu to program then accessories and to dos prompt....just do a netstat and see what and who you are connected to...if there is anything out of the order well i guess you have your answer....normally the servers are hard to get rid of due to the fact they are normally running therfor cannot be deleted but i have a way around that......if you need further assisstance just let me know...you may also contact me through yahoo....

assassination_productions

I ran netstat and the usual things came up, im used to running that and i tried that before. The aol proxy and some other conection that has always been there. Even that is connection is on this comp. I don't remember all the virus names, a few of them were the same. 20-25 has the same name to be more accurate. An the problem still there. If I buy a CD-Burner its still gonna screw up. I don't have to log on to AOL for it to screw up on me, it just takes 15-20 minutes longer befoe it happens. I've got about 11 Gig's of Files, on a separate partition. Anyways thanx for all the replies, and im still taking suggestions!

-E

Quote:

---

Just for interest .. Just what were the virii that were found/removed/returned? Perhaps it may be more than just a recuring virii, perhaps a registtry key that isn't being repaired during the virus removal.. hence the return.. (had a customer with that problem with Brasil.exe......)

---

Good post, and very true. Although it might be too late to recover your system, try to exterminate anything has you do not recognize in your registry. Jv16 Powertools is an excellent tool. Heres the link:

http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/shtml/jv16powertools.shtml

If all else fails, im sorry but..................you're screwed.


NOTE: Since you said you do not need to be online for it to happen, we can safely eliminate Trojan. It might also be a virus, but have you considered it to be a hardware malfunction?

Exodus: You aren't screwed at all!!!!!!!! You were smart enough to put the 11Gb of files on another partition...... Good man, (or Gal.... whatever... I know what I mean....<s>).

You can format away at the Boot partition all you like..... The data on the other partition will remain just where it is. With a clean install of the OS any files that may be infected on the data partition cannot be activated automatically. Once the new OS is installed, go ahead and pick your AV scanner of choice - update the defs and give the data partition a really good scan.... ALL FILES, not just programs..... If you use Word, Excel etc. to maintain that data make sure you go into each app and disable macro's so even if it is a custom macro that your AV doesn't recognize it won't activate.

After that, be careful to monitor the system - update the AV defs every day and have auto-protect on at all times. You should be good to go....... Good Luck

BTW - It is my personal opinion that AOL is _both_ a virus and a trojan and has in the past displayed the characteristics of a worm...... Death to AOL....... :D

Hi., :p

Firstly, use some of your business profit to buy a cd burner. Please.
Second, always update your antivirus frequently.
Third, avoid using AOL coz it sucks. Really sucks.
Four, check registry, is there something odd using some registry checker software or antivirus.
Five, always update and backup your data. Even some school boys computer geeks know how to do it.
Six, check if your os or hdisk have problem. Run through scandisk. See the result.
Seven, Get antoher computer and make it as your server, i mean only dedicated to your business. Its much safer.

Dont give up ok.