Bleeping Computer problems Options

[wj32]

Hi everyone,

Just before I begin, I want to establish some credibility for myself (which unfortunately is necessary in this bureaucracy). I am a programmer and I am experienced in C, C# and Windows internals. Although I do lack knowledge about browser hijackers, etc. I do know quite a bit about rootkits and other malware.

I would like to help out here, but one problem I'm seeing is the use of automated malware removal tools (or detection) in situations which do not require their use. One example: a person is having BSODs and says that they have tried to use several virus/malware scanners to no avail. A staff member comes along and posts instructions (I'm guessing a copy+paste) on how to use DDS, which the OP has already said did not run. Now, the logical solution for diagnosing BSODs is to post a crash dump and analyze the BSOD using WinDbg. I don't know how using more automated scanners would help.

Here's another example: a person asks about the presence of $RECYCLE.BIN directories on their local hard drive and removable disks. A staff member posts instructions on how to use DDS (as usual). The scan reveals nothing significant (only PopCap). The staff member asks the OP to use Malwarebytes' anti-malware. Not to be rude, but this "staff member" should know what $RECYCLE.BIN and desktop.ini are. $RECYCLE.BIN is where recycled files are stored, and desktop.ini is a system file which tells explorer how to display a folder.

One more example: a person asks about a possible malware infection and attaches a DDS log. A staff member posts instructions on how to use DDS.