Facebook says there is a virus, scans clean, but computer acting weird


  1. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #1

    Facebook says there is a virus, scans clean, but computer acting weird


    Some friends of mine are a retired couple in Mexico. They have two computers, one a desktop, one a laptop. I'm sorry but I don't have current spec details, though I am pretty sure this is not a hardware issue as it is affecting both computers.

    To the point:
    The laptop is used on Facebook. The user has suddenly become unable to either share or post anything since accessing her Zoo app on FB. There is a message that comes up stating that her computer "could" be infected by a virus or a malicious browser extension, whenever she tries to post or share. This is happening with both IE and Chrome.

    The desktop was fine until this morning when she used it to access FB using Chrome. Now it is exhibiting the same issue.

    Also, she took some screenshots and tried to send them to both me and my partner using Hotmail. Both came back with failures to deliver as the "addresses were invalid" We receive email from her all the time and this sudden address issue is unusual.

    The computers have been scanned with Malware Bytes, MSE, and Super AntiSpyware. All scans showed clean. It is currently unknown if this problem affects other websites.

    I'm stumped and I could really use some advice, please. Even just questions that I can ask them for more information would help.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 7,101
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #2

    First thought
    Try a restore point.
    Dont believe FB has any kind of Virus protection in it that would cause the pop-up.
    As its on BOTH, certainly smacks of malware, get them to scan it with Eset, dissable any other AV and run via IE.

    Roy
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for the suggestions Roy. I'll get them to scan with ESET and see what happens.

    Btw, these are the messages they are getting:

    Facebook says there is a virus, scans clean, but computer acting weird-13681993_10208290417637199_1697996409_o.png.jpg


    Facebook says there is a virus, scans clean, but computer acting weird-13835993_10208290413517096_1716464739_o.png.jpg


    I'm pretty sure these aren't legit. Unfortunately, she clicked the "Get Started" button.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #4

    A couple of utilities that "might" help:

    https://www.avast.com/browser-cleanup

    https://www.zemana.com/Download - fully functional free trial. Advanced settings allow scanning of all browser extensions.

    Facebook says there is a virus, scans clean, but computer acting weird-zemana-am.jpg
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 708
    Windows 7 x64
       #5

    May suggest to uninstall this "Zoo app on FB"
    Do reboot, scan using Superantispyware &or any others.
    Reboot and do create a system restore point.
    Then install "Zoo app" on FB.

    May unintentional include additional software &or advert, if any, when doing that installation &or using.
    Ensure to do it step by step, and do read, at the point of install.

    Sometimes, uninstall and then re-install may have to remove certain bug &or virus.
    As it may have been hijack during installation.
    Nowadays, it is common that include Banks website are hijack.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,776
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #6

    Also get them to run a scan with Farbar Recovery Scan Tool.

    Must be run as administrator (right click options)

    Get them to post the results from FRST.txt and addition.txt (saved in the same directory that the tool is run from)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Oddly enough, the situation seems to have resolved itself. All scans including ESET have come up clean and Facebook is behaving normally.

    I had a look around on the net, and it seems that this is not an isolated issue. Facebook has partnered with some anti-virus manufacturers (like MacAffee) to offer anti-virus services when your account shows what they call suspicious activity:

    https://www.facebook.com/help/226527600691713

    Some, on a website that I can't locate today, have suggested it's collusion on the part of MacAffee and Facebook to get you to buy the anti-virus package, but I see no evidence of that in my searches. Just tinfoil hat thinking.

    Anyway, I'm going to mark this as solved. I thank all of you for your help and suggestions. Much appreciated! :)
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,167
    W10 32 bit, XUbuntu 18.xx 64 bit
       #8

    Mellon Head am I reading that facebook site correctly. Is facebook using two virus protection programs at the same time. That in itself could cause a problem.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
    Thread Starter
       #9

    groze said:
    Mellon Head am I reading that facebook site correctly. Is facebook using two virus protection programs at the same time. That in itself could cause a problem.
    I think they want you to download one or the other, or both. It's a little unclear, but FB seems to do this for what they call "unusual account activity" rather than actually running a virus scan on your account. Once they have flagged your account, then they offer the choice of virus checkers. An unfamiliar user might be tempted to use both at the same time, so I can see your concern.
      My Computer


 

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