Files and documents locked ?

[drg1985]

Hey Folks,

A few days ago I picked up a particularly nasty trojan that began running ads in my desktop background - Just audio, but still annoying. I tried removing it using Malwarebytes and Spybot. Oddly enough, since then, I've had further problems. One is the browser redirects randomly to spam sites but the bigger one is I cannot access my documents (music, video etc...) or certain folders in c:\.

For example, I have a folder on the c:\ drive called work. When I click on work, it comes up as totally empty - no files. When I right click it, however, I find there are 193 files at 3 gb. My document folders have also disappeared. When I go to windows / user I find by right clicking that there are hundreds of files at 40 or so gb but I cannot find any of them by searching or exploring. I have made sure all folders are on general view (ie: not just music / video etc) but this does nothing. I now just want to back up my files and blitz the PC with a full reinstall.

Can anyone help me ? I should also note I removed IE by turning off windows features as the trojan kept attacking IE scripts. Not sure if this matters but I'd be grateful if anyone could help me...

 

[Mike Connor]

The trouble is, you can remove some malware, but that does not automatically repair the damage it does. If it has changed system files and stuff like that, then your only sensible option is to reinstall Windows.

Also, it can be extremely difficult to find and remove some malware.

If you run a backup, then make sure to check that for malware, as well as all drives and partitions.

Unless there is some reason why you absolutely have to troubleshoot this damaged system, then I would go for a new install.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[drg1985]

You're right, I think I will go for the nuclear option. Question is, how do I access and save my work files / music files / document files before I blitz the system ?!

 

[MacGyvr]

Your files are there, just hidden. Turn on "Show hidden files and folders" and you will find them. There's really no need to wipe your system. If Malwarebytes shows you clean, then you're clean. Just unhide your files and keep on computin'!