Solved "...clean your computer to prevent system crash"

[nottaclue9]

Another love note from a fake Microsoft window: "Message from webpage / Microsoft Antivirus has found critical process activity on your computer. You need to clean your computer to prevent a system crash."

I have not touched anything on the window, not the red X or OK. I had just clicked onto a page to read the article, but didn't have time to see what it was before the fake window whited out the page.

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Ran Malware Bytes which found nothing & then ran Adware Cleaner. I don't know what an octet is, but it looks like that's all it found.

 

[akjudge]

Part of the Computing fundamentals glossary:


In computers, an octet (from the Latin octo or "eight") is a sequence of eight bit s. An octet is thus an eight-bit byte . Since a byte is not eight bits in all computer systems, octet provides a nonambiguous term.


The Adware Cleaner results look normal. The AdwCleaner[R0].txt type files are the log files created by Adware Cleaner after a Scan run. The AdwCleaner[S0].txt type files are log files created by Adware Cleaner after a Cleaning run. These files can usually be found in the C:\AdwCleaner folder.


Hope this helps.

 

[nottaclue9]

Thank you, akjudge. That's a clear explanation. I'm assuming that the octet is some type of adware, then, right? Whatever it is, Adware didn't seem to be bothered by it. I also ran super spyware which did find some stuff, but I deleted all of whatever it found, and so far, no fake Windows window!

 

[Britton30]

It is best to upload the txt file Adwcleaner generates, not a snip of it. The info on the left side is missing.

I would advise you to carefully check what you are downloading and installing. Always click the Advanced for installing and UNcheck anything other than the software you really want.
This is a good program to help you with this: http://unchecky.com/

 

[nottaclue9]

Handy tool, Britton30! I have made the mistake of "accidentally" get a lot of extra junk that I do not want so many times that I am leery of downloading anything anymore. I do usually remember to uncheck toolbar and default browser boxes, but this tool takes all of the having to remember out of the equation. Thanks for the information.

 

[Britton30]

You're very welcome. Also always try to go to an author's site for a download avoiding c|net, Major Geeks, Softonic, etc.

Did your fake window go away?

 

[Layback Bear]

I use FileHippo when I can.
Some things come with junk but they are clearly marked so it's not hard to un-choose them.

 

[nottaclue9]

Yeah, the fake window went away. I am bothered by the fact that MSE & Malware Bytes did not detect it. Adware Cleaner didn't produce any negative results, either. Super Spyware must have been the one to catch it.

I have always thought I was playing safe on the Internet, but I am Velcro for these kinds of malware annoyances. I use "in private" to browse on Duck Duck Go, but I still get ads. As for malware, I am starting to feel persecuted!

 

[nottaclue9]

Layback Bear -- Is File Hippo the same thing as Unchecky?

Britton30 -- I am embarrassed to admit that I can't figure out how to get the results of a scanning report to appear properly on the message board. I do click on "upload" when I copy the report, but then I don't know what to do after that. So things always end up as attachments. (I use the paper clip icon.)

 

[Layback Bear]

FileHippo is a site for program downloads and one of them is this.

FileHippo.com - Download Free Software.
I have tried others but this one doesn't argue with my computers or me.

nottaclue9 please remember that no one program will find everything.
Many things don't get stopped by anti programs because at the time these programs that slip in are not considered infection.
They can very well be things that you don't want but the security programs don't know you don't want them.

That is why many of us run various programs to keep our systems as clean as possible.

Another good free online scan is Eset.

Free Virus Scan | Online Virus Scanner from ESET

 

[nottaclue9]

Do y'all run these scans every day? How many different types of scans? Malware Bytes? Antivirus? (I do not have a stand-alone anti-virus program; I only have MSE.) I've saved filehippo & ESET for future use. Thanks for the info!

 

[Britton30]

File Hippo is just a file hosting site, or storage place for different files and programs.
I have my Norton do a daily scan at 5AM and I run Malware Bytes once a week or so.

With Adwcleaner you must run the scan then click on the report button. This opens a text file, click on File/Save as txt and put it on your desktop. Then use the paper clip icon to upload it. I've attached a sample of my own log, which is clean. I also x-ed out some personal info.
I would strongly recommend you to get a paid security program, MSE is not enough, as you've seen. I can recommend, Norton, Avast, and Kaspersky.
View attachment AdwCleaner[R2].txt

 

[nottaclue9]

A purchased program will not interfere with what MSE does? I have Norton Safe Sites, but it didn't catch anything from that site I visited.

I will copy down the instructions you gave me for posting a report. Thanks for, well, giving me a clue!

 

[Britton30]

I'd uninstall MSE if you get a paid security suite, it's not needed. Norton Safe Sites isn't a security program, it can't scan your system but rather only checks sites you visit.

 

[nottaclue9]

What do you think of Vipre?

 

[Britton30]

Not too much, it's a low rated program, 19th here, Internet Security Suites Software Review 2014 | Best Computer Security | Compare Security Suites - TopTenREVIEWS
I suggest a security suits, a full anti virus+active 2-way firewall+anti spam and anti malware.

 

[nottaclue9]

Best Antivirus Software Reviews | Compare Top Programs

Wow, thanks. It's amazing how these reviews can be so different. I have three other "Top 10's," all of which have Bitdefender ranked no lower than 4th. It's all very confusing, but it sure helps to know what y'all are using on this site.

 

[Britton30]

Yeah, there are so many different test methods, and some sites accept money for a high rating. This one is supposedly independent.
AV-TEST - The Independent IT-Security Institute: Jan/Feb 2014

Click the various columns to sort.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Best Antivirus Software Reviews | Compare Top Programs

Wow, thanks. It's amazing how these reviews can be so different. I have three other "Top 10's," all of which have Bitdefender ranked no lower than 4th. It's all very confusing, but it sure helps to know what y'all are using on this site.

Unfortunately, you cannot search for product comparisons and expect to get reputable results :-(

Reasons why I would not trust the website that you linked:

1) they sell antivirus products
(if they make more profit from selling Vipre, then Vipre is magically top rated)

2) they do not list a physical address for their offices
(thus, hard to search for better business bureau complaints)

3) they registered the website using an address that most likely is not theirs

 

[nottaclue9]

Thanks for that analysis, Username Issues. I had no idea about the site I used. The site that Britton30 posted didn't seem to like any of the programs! At least I know it's not getting any kickbacks, though. And, of course, I was trying to find one that scored high on usability (Security Software for Dummies) and protection. Hard to get both, so it seems.

I saved the AV Test site, Britton30. Thank you.