Recently conquered Virus/Malware attack, now BSOD returns!

Pvttricks · 16 Aug 2012

Hello,

Heres what went down. I used to get the BSOD before, but it was easily remedied by system restore and it was over. Well day before yesterday I got that nasty FBI Moneypak Ransomware Virus, I soon conquered that and spent the last two days on a crusade. I have ran every version of Malware, Spyware, Anti-virus, and Cleaner I could to clean out my computer. That was when I noticed my computer had it's 'Security Service' removed from the 'Services' area. So I found the thread here and replaced it, and got my firewall back to working order and everything. But now. Every time I start my laptop I get the blue screen of death. I would do the System Restore, though the last point was before I got everything back and running...

Thank you for your help.

Anthony · 16 Aug 2012

Personally after getting a virus I usually do a clean install. Time spent removing it, its just as quick to re-install your OS (10mins from USB)
The advantage of this, is a clean environment to see if you have other issues i.e. hardware, errors etc, Also your sure you are clean of viruses, malware etc.

I have an external hard drive with everything on it specifically for this purpose, drivers, programs etc and all my files are saved as I go, So if I do get anything nasty i know my files are backed up and safe!!

That's just the way I do it, its not a case of, if i get a virus but when i get a virus, sort of thing.

Hope this helps

Poimetheus · 16 Aug 2012

Anthony has it right. Keep an image or complete back up on hand, and reload. You can spend hours thwarting hoards of viruses; but they're ultimately just like organic viruses. You can pick off the scabs and rub on the cream; but in the end, you still have herpes :)

Lots of malicious programs will embed themselves at the kernel level, unraveling all your hard work the second you reboot.

Pvttricks · 16 Aug 2012

Thats nice, but I don't have the back up, I was planning to start doing that after I cured all this. But is there a way to debug this issue without it? Or am I doomed to live a life of Safe Mode?

Poimetheus · 17 Aug 2012

Not at all. If you don't mind losing the data on the drive, do a clean install. You could pull the data before the install, but it would be risky depending on your infection.