Mouse and system randomly freezes

The Minimalist · 28 Mar 2012

My mouse randomly freezes, along with my system. The only way I can get it to work again is to reboot the computer.
This has only been happening today, and it has happened twice. Please advise?

bassfisher6522 · 28 Mar 2012

Check your system for any malware, spyware and the likes...then make sure you have your system is up to date with all MS updates and then the same for all your drivers.

The Minimalist · 28 Mar 2012

Thank you for replying! :)
I've run a full-system scan with Avast! and there are no threats found. Everything is up-to-date as well.

So far it has not occured again, but I just want to make sure.

The first time it happened, I was pasting a screenshot using Microsoft Word, and the second time, I was using my flash drive. Both times, when I clicked ctrl+alt+del, Windows Task Manager does not work.

The only possibilities that I can think of is that I recently changed my wallpaper theme to a slideshow instead of the regular one. (Which might have caused my computer to hang.)

Also, I have accidentally clicked on a website called youutube.com. I immediately closed the website a few seconds after clicking on it. (Might be malware/spyware from the website, but it does not reflect from my Avast! full system scan.)

Usually, if a website is dangerous, Avast would have blocked it and give me a warning, but it doesn't.

The Minimalist · 29 Mar 2012

Ok, I've run Avast again, and there is this infected file in the location:
C:\Windows\Temp\_asw_aisT.tm~a04044

It is listed as High severity and Avast have removed it. Is it still a danger if it has been removed?

JMH · 29 Mar 2012

Let's get a second opinion re what may be lurking on your system.

Please download the free version of Malwarebytes.
Update it immediately.
Do a full system scan
Let us know the results at the end.

Malwarebytes : Download free malware, virus and spyware tools to get your computer back in shape!

The Minimalist · 29 Mar 2012

Everytime I click on download, it redirects to cnet.com.

Can this website be trusted?

JMH · 29 Mar 2012

You should NOT be redirected...
Try this link

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer

The Minimalist · 29 Mar 2012

That's what I meant. When I click on the 'download now' button, I get redirected to download.cnet.com

The Minimalist · 29 Mar 2012

Seems like the link is safe. I've downloaded Malwarebytes and ran a scan. Here are the results:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.1.1000
www.malwarebytes.org
Database version: v2012.03.29.03
Windows 7 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.7600.16385
User :: USER-PC [administrator]
3/29/2012 5:43:40 PM
mbam-log-2012-03-29 (17-43-40).txt
Scan type: Full scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 224417
Time elapsed: 12 minute(s), 56 second(s)
Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Files Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
(end)

Thanks, JMH and basssfisher6522.
What is the next step of precaution that I should take?

The Minimalist · 29 Mar 2012

Dear fellow members,
The mouse and system freezing has been happening again, and I am afraid that it might be a sign of hard disk failure. Currently I am scanning my computer again to rule out malware and rootkit infection. Could this be possibly the case?