I have a Trojan. ETA problem solved?

[Lasher]

Last edited Mon Apr 28, 2025, 03:22 PM - Edit history (1)

Not sure what to do about it. Running Windows 10

ETA Not feeling comfortable with a clean boot, I enlisted the help of the Geek Squad. They got remote access and did not find any virus. He was about to terminate the call when I asked, "But how did my browser get changed? And I found in history where someone had tried to log into my Fidelity account."

This prompted him to check my program files, where he found one called logmein, or something like that. It's used to gain remote access to computers, and it was installed on April 25, the day my problems started. He uninstalled that program, so he thought that was the problem.

[hlthe2b]

1. If you have a full anti-viral anti-malware package on your machine, contact them for help...

and use your cell phone for anything online in the meantime.

If you don't have the former, it might be wise to seek expert help from those who can prevent it from worsening while you mess around with it. Maybe GeekSquad (Best Buy) or another independent computer tech group/business locally?

[SheltieLover]

2. Malwarebytes is a pretty good option. Free version is good.

Good luck!



Ps - paid version offers real time scanning, but they both work the same for removing these things

[Lasher]

4. I just tried System Restore but it didn't work.

I downloaded & ran Malwarebytes. It found 1 threat, which I quarantined.

[SheltieLover]

5. Awesome!

Great work!

[Lasher]

10. It's not going well.

The threats keep showing up, so I’ve shut down my desktop to think it over. I will probably resort to a Windows 10 reboot tomorrow.

[SheltieLover]

11. Make sure you back up your data, one file at a time, prior to wiping your hard drive & reinstalling windows

Else you will lose everything. Easy enough to put them all on a thumb drive.

My resident IT guy (grandson - lol) is not home, but I would assume he would say the trojan stored something in your system files, hence the need to reboot.

I'll ask him when he gets home or tomorrow (sometimes I am asleep when he comes home).

Good luck!

[NJCher]

3. I had one

earlier in the year and thank heavens my brother had paid for Webroot for me. I'd paid for his for about 10 years straight, time for him to step up.

Anyway, I will just tell you I'd never have gotten this on my own and I have three professional web certifications. I had to have their tech service which didn't take too long, was courteous, professional.

[SheltieLover]

8. Yikes!

Glad you got it sorted out!

[Lasher]

9. I just signed up for Webroot's free trial.

I ran the software and it found something. Guess I will try their tech support now. Will advise.

[SheltieLover]

6. If you are still having issues, back data up data & reinstall windows

You'd have to back up each file individually because if it's a giant folder, you might miss a virus file.

Good luck!

[SheltieLover]

7. Viruses can embed themselves in system files like root kits

Another good reason tobm reinstall windows, but back your data up first!



Ps- info from my IT genius adult grandson.

[LPBBEAR]

12. Some basics

Malware/Viruses can be pretty sophisticated these days. If your anti-virus anti-malware programs can't get rid of whatever is compromising your system you'll have to try a complete reload of the system

1. Backup personal data to a flash drive or some other external storage device.
2. Reload the system using the reload utility provided with your system. Don't try to save anything from the current system. To increase your odds of not reinfecting your system don't choose to save any files. Completely wipe the system and do a fresh factory restore.
3. Once the system is successfully restored scan the system BEFORE doing anything else with it.
4. Assuming the system is clean do a complete thorough scan of all personal data files you backed up earlier on your external storage device BEFORE you restore the files to your computer.

If this process fails don't worry your system is still usable. Sometimes the built in restore utility will fail. In this event you can still find a copy of Windows elsewhere and do a manual reinstall or switch to a version of the Linux operating system and install it.

https://distrowatch.com/