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This post has been edited by starryjlc: 28 December 2011 - 09:59 AM
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I know that I am infected but cannot download, open, install anything
#1
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Posted 28 December 2011 - 08:52 AM
I am able to get on the Internet but I am not able to download, install, open, or run anything. I believe there is a problem with opening all exe files also. Since I cannot download anything, I am not able to run virus scans and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. WHat do I do now?
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#2
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Posted 28 December 2011 - 11:42 AM
Can you reboot in "safe mode with networking and connect to the Internet? If so, try downloading from that mode.
If you cannot use the Internet or download any required programs to the infected machine, try downloading them from another computer (family member, friend, library, etc) with an Internet connection. Save to a USB (flash, pen, thumb, jump) drive or CD/DVD, transfer to the infected machine, then install and run the program(s).
I recommend using a "write protected" USB drive with a locking switch on the side or on the back. This write enabled/write block feature can be used to protect anything on the USB drive from being altered or deleted by the malware. If you cannot find a write protected flash drive, then use a SD card with a SD-to-USB adapter.
Some malware infections will alter file associations and registry keys corresponding to them so programs will not work properly. In order to get them working again this modification needs to be repaired. This is a small tool that restores the default exe association.
Please download ExeFix.scr by Farbar for Windows XP and save it to a USB flash drive or to the root of the system drive (usually C:).
Note: If the tool did not run try changing the file extension to .com or .bat or .cmd or .pif.
Also note that in order for the fix to work, you need to be booted to the user account that is having trouble running exe files.
These are other tools that will repair file associations altered by malware:
CAUTION: Some of these steps involve making changes in the Windows registry. Always Create a New Restore Point and back up your registry before making any changes. Vista/Windows 7 users can refer to these instructions. If you're not familiar with working in the registry, then you should NOT attempt to make any changes on your own. Improper changes to the registry could adversely affect your computer and render it inoperable. ERUNT or ERUNTgui is an excellent free tool that allows you to to take a snapshot (backup) of your registry before making changes and restore it when needed.
Note: ERUNT and NTREGOPT will only work correctly in Windows 7 and Vista if you turn off User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Control Panel
If you cannot use the Internet or download any required programs to the infected machine, try downloading them from another computer (family member, friend, library, etc) with an Internet connection. Save to a USB (flash, pen, thumb, jump) drive or CD/DVD, transfer to the infected machine, then install and run the program(s).
I recommend using a "write protected" USB drive with a locking switch on the side or on the back. This write enabled/write block feature can be used to protect anything on the USB drive from being altered or deleted by the malware. If you cannot find a write protected flash drive, then use a SD card with a SD-to-USB adapter.
Some malware infections will alter file associations and registry keys corresponding to them so programs will not work properly. In order to get them working again this modification needs to be repaired. This is a small tool that restores the default exe association.
Please download ExeFix.scr by Farbar for Windows XP and save it to a USB flash drive or to the root of the system drive (usually C:).
- Important! Boot your computer into the user account that is having trouble running exe files.
- Double-click on ExeFix.scr to run it.
- The tool notifies you within a fraction of a second to reboot the computer, please do so.
Note: If the tool did not run try changing the file extension to .com or .bat or .cmd or .pif.
Also note that in order for the fix to work, you need to be booted to the user account that is having trouble running exe files.
These are other tools that will repair file associations altered by malware:
- File association fixes for Windows 7 (exe_fix_w7.zip)
- File association fixes for Windows Vista (exefix_vista.zip)
- File association fixes for Windows XP (xp_exe_fix.zip)
- Easy File Associations for Windows XP
CAUTION: Some of these steps involve making changes in the Windows registry. Always Create a New Restore Point and back up your registry before making any changes. Vista/Windows 7 users can refer to these instructions. If you're not familiar with working in the registry, then you should NOT attempt to make any changes on your own. Improper changes to the registry could adversely affect your computer and render it inoperable. ERUNT or ERUNTgui is an excellent free tool that allows you to to take a snapshot (backup) of your registry before making changes and restore it when needed.
Note: ERUNT and NTREGOPT will only work correctly in Windows 7 and Vista if you turn off User Account Control (UAC) in Windows Control Panel
Microsoft MVP - Consumer Security 2007-2012 
Member of UNITE, Unified Network of Instructors and Trusted Eliminators
Member of UNITE, Unified Network of Instructors and Trusted Eliminators
#3
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Posted 28 December 2011 - 12:14 PM
thanks for all the info. I will try and reboot in safe mode tonight when I get home from work. I have just been very frustrated. Viruses are the devil LOL I am downloaded the files onto a USB drive and then will see if I can get them to download from there.
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