Do not use Combofix on your own!!

[Yard Dog]

Agreed.. who brought it up anyways, anyone who knows stuff.. will not use combo fix unless instructed or they have test computers to train them selves

 

[AmericanPharaoh]

Only issue I've had from using ComboFix was losing Internet connection. But, was an easy fix.

John

 

[sdowney717]

I did not know it might foo bar the system, but I was already looking at a reinstall due to what I thought was nasty malware.
It did have nasty malware because combo fix simply made it work again.
A long list of programs were quarantined.
So if your stuck then go ahead, if you planned on a reinstall anyway.

 

[Jacee]

So if your stuck then go ahead, if you planned on a reinstall anyway.

 

[JBmorris]

+1 I agree. Using tools like these for the first time, you would need you to read instructions. some people just skip reading instructions and thinking they can figure it out for themselves, which is not such a good idea. if YOU use combofix on your own and something goes wrong, BAM! Your system would be Destabilized, possibly causing loss of data. :warn:

 

[cottonball]

In the event something goes wrong with Windows after using CF, or a script for CF, System Restore may take care of the issue, and should be the first option to try.

If System Restore does not work, there are ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) backups created by ComboFix when the user agrees to the CF disclaimer.

For Windows 7, the process of recovery is run from the Recovery Environment, if I recall correctly.

However, this process is not a casual undertaking, and neither is running CF.

 

[ummon]

I agree Combofix is a great malware removal tool, one of the best in my opinon. I would suggest you join their forums and have them teach you how it really works. It is very powerful removal tool if you have been trained to use it.

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Seven Forums ummon. Yes, that was the reason Jacee posted this thread. It is very powerful, and for trained experts. Anyone else is just playing with fire. A Guy

 

[margrave]

I assume you meant "if not used WITH trained supervision"?

Ok ... where would I find a certified malware instructor?

This is a 'specialized/heavy duty tool' and it can render your computer as a doorstop if not used without trained supervision. Please don't download and run it unless you are asked to do so by a "certified" malware instuctor who has gone through the use and special training of this Application.

 

[A Guy]

I'll let Jacee reply, as she is a security expert, and knows all the right places But here are some:

Am I infected? What do I do? Forum - BleepingComputer.com

Virus, Spyware, Malware Removal

Free Malware Removal | Community support for infected computers

SpywareHammer.com - Index

SpywareInfo Forum

Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help

What the Tech | Your Place for Tech Questions

These are all members of UNITE (Unified Network of Instructors and Trained Eliminators)

UNITE - Unified Network of Instructors and Trained Eliminators

A Guy

 

[Dokie]

Hi! I'm new to SF. I have read all 15 pages of this thread. I have read the posts where members use CF with no ill effects. I have yet to read where someone has actually bricked a PC when using CF. I have seen all the warning from those that warn it could happen, but not one person saying they used CF and bricked their PC.
If you want to learn about malware and how to prevent it and how to deal with it once you have it, learn from a expert here on SF. This is what my friend suggests. I'm sure you if your a regular here on SF, you know MR. Brink. Maybe Shawn will post his thoughts on this if he sees this reply! The below link comes from the malware section here on SF
Give this a read and post your thoughts!
Here's a portion of the link!
If you want to get truly hardcore, be sure to grab combofix, as well. This app, often considered the “nuke it from orbit” option for certain nefarious bits of malware, uses the Windows Recovery Console to find and eliminate annoying malware. It doesn’t protect your system up front, but it’s a great tool to have in your back pocket when disaster strikes.
http://www.sevenforums.com/security...uide-2011-how-get-rid-all-latest-malware.html

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep I am sure Shawn will be better situated to say what is what but even though one thinks how to do something if you are like me I always ask first and it does recommend you get help and there is no disgrace in doing that.

 

[Dokie]

Yep I am sure Shawn will be better situated to say what is what but even though one thinks how to do something if you are like me I always ask first and it does recommend you get help and there is no disgrace in doing that.

It never hurts to ask for help. I personaly ran CF on a seniors PC that was heavily infected. It allowed me to clean the PC up and I had a happy camper. I have been cleaning seniors PC's for nearly 3 years here in my retirement center. I never charge on cent for my labor. It is very rare that you would need to run CF, but it does not scare me. If you're to a point where it's a last resort, what have you got to lose. I personally think the warnings are just a little blown up. I will be the first one to reply here on SF if I ever brick a PC using CF.
I don't see malware fighters getting alarmed and warning people that are talking about up dating their BIOS.
You want to really brick a PC, mess up flashing the BIOS. You will have a door stop and will need a new mother board or BIOS chip. How about making a sticky about the dangers of flashing the BIOS.
I would love to reply on that thread!!
PS I will do a little searching. There probably is such a thread already!

 

[Dokie]

Here's the way I start with a infected PC.
First I scan with Malwarebytes Rootkit.
Then Adwcleaner'
Them Malwarebytes free.
Then ESET on line scanner or Emsisoft Emergency Kit(There are a lot of on line scanners)
Hitman Pro (IF all else fails)
JRT!
Here's a link about JRT
http://thisisudax.org/
Last I would use combofix
The last resort, a clean install!
That's my 2 cents! Please comment!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello Dokie well seems we are much on the same page as I am sort of semi retired - draw my super as a pension and work full time and I do this for a hobby and retirement activity. I however charge for parts as I can only get them retail - like hard drives GPU etc the simple stuff I have a ton of spares out of older computers that I do let folks have for nothing as my time also. If people want to give me the price of a cup of coffee for my troubles then that is nice as long as I know they can afford it. Most do offer but I get more satisfaction out of doing it than money could ever buy.

On the BIOS yes I agree I think it is far more dodgy to muck around with as one can always well nearly always reinstall if you rubbish the machine using some clean up anti malware gear. I have a new ROG laptop here right now that states it needs a BIOS update to load Windows 7 drivers on but you can't use the USB slots until the drivers are done So in a way it may have saved me from having a new $1700 doorstop. The only saving grace with some boards though is the dual BIOS set up so brick one you have another but unfortunately not the new Asus Should be something different you would think this day and age of tech advancement eh?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Sorry mate missed the post yep I start with MBAM SAS and then ADW if nothing happens I usually progress to the Kaspersky rescue disk as it doesn't involve starting Windows up.

I find Emsisoft Emergency scanner is good too I just use the Emergency scan and the Command line scan.

Don't know if you have seen this but it is a really good site. https://www.google.com.au/?gws_rd=ssl#q=techsupportalert go to the best free security list in the world and click on the 13th link down - they are all good

 

[Dokie]

Sorry mate missed the post yep I start with MBAM SAS and then ADW if nothing happens I usually progress to the Kaspersky rescue disk as it doesn't involve starting Windows up.

I find Emsisoft Emergency scanner is good too I just use the Emergency scan and the Command line scan.

Don't know if you have seen this but it is a really good site. https://www.google.com.au/?gws_rd=ssl#q=techsupportalert go to the best free security list in the world and click on the 13th link down - they are all good

Hey mate! Been away for awhile. I guess I better cool it! Thanks for your reply. I have three happy seniors in my retirement center this month. They now have clean computers and can now enjoy their PC's, virus free!
They tell me I'm worth my weight in gold. That's all I need. I have all the money I need. I have been blessed and now it's time to pass it forward.
Thanks mate for your reply!
Gary!

 

[tom982]

Hi Gary,

I used to be training at GeekU's malware removal school but had to leave (about a week ago) during the last stage of my training because I wasn't able to fit it in with my studies (I'm currently at university). There's a few points I want to go over with your post:

Combofix
Everyone will warn you about the risks of it bricking your computer etc. but IMO this risk is non-existent, I don't know why people say this - I assume it's to warn non-trained users from using such a powerful tool. The term bricking is used very loosely on forums, personally I think the term should only be used when computers are completely broken beyond repair. The real risk, as I see it, is people using automated tools (like CF) and thinking the problem has gone. Rule 1 of malware removal is that a lack of symptoms doesn't mean a clean computer. CF may remove the visible traces of an infection, but there could be all sorts going on in the background. Without knowing how to read the logs, I can almost guarantee that every computer you've cleaned (excluding clean installs) in the past will have remnants of the infections still on them - these remnants may or may not be dangerous. It's when people use automated tools that they get lulled into a false sense of security. This is especially dangerous when the people you're helping are in a retirement home and may be less familiar with a computer.

Hitman Pro
This is widely known to cause a lot of problems (BSODs, errors booting Windows etc.) so I'd keep a wide berth from this.


Just have a look at a few threads where trained helpers are working:

Virus, Spyware, Malware Removal
Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help

There's a reason they all have to manually remove files and don't just throw automated tools around Also, the Combofix tutorial is about 300 A4 pages long so there's a lot to know before you can use the tool properly.

It's great that you're helping people for free, but you've got to make sure you (and the people you're helping I guess) understand the risks of you doing so.

Tom

 

[Dokie]

Thanks for your reply Tom. I also know how to use Farbar. I can't tell you the PC's I clean and fix are 100%, but I leave them a lot better off after I work on them. I would like to attend a malware school, but I just don't want to get that involved, and feel like I have be on 24 hour call; as after the training you are expected to join a forum and use your training. Malware is nasty and it will always be around.
I also train the seniors how to surf safety, add WOT to their browsers, and teach them how to watch out for PUP's.
I think I do pretty well and it's very rewarding to be able to give some thing to my retirement community.
PS I hope you can finish your malware training some day; if that's what you want to do, but sounds like you are quite busy!

 

[akjudge]

=Dokie;2943432]Hi! I'm new to SF. I have read all 15 pages of this thread. I have read the posts where members use CF with no ill effects. I have yet to read where someone has actually bricked a PC when using CF. I have seen all the warning from those that warn it could happen, but not one person saying they used CF and bricked their PC.

While I am no expert, if you want to find instances of amateurs using Combofix just go to BleepingComputer and search the forums. You will find 1000's of frantic people who post seeking help because they used Combofix unsupervised. The problems range from blue screens, to programs that no longer run; to lost networks and internet connections; and even to "yes" computer is now a doorstop.

Sooner or later amateur users of Combofix will have a catastrophic problem, so be sure you have OS installation discs, program discs, and data backups handy... you will need them.

My novice 2-cents worth...