Mega paranoid

[paranoiduk]

Hello all

Nice to be here.

I am very paranoid when it comes to my desktop, partly because I don't exactly have the cash lying around to get a new one if something happens with this and partly because I do online shopping etc so don't want anyone getting hold of bank details.

The reason I am here is to ask such knowledgeable people a few questions in the hope that I can slightly allay my fears.

Yesterday Avast discovered a few viruses in its boot scan, one of which was a Trojan which can download other nasties as and when it pleases - a downloader, I'm guessing?

Anyway this whacked me into full paranoia mode and so today I have using the Acer recovery console to transform back to factory settings (the OS being vista when I first got this comp) and then installing 7 via the windows discs. My computer seems very happy right now, certainly a bit more speed and less loading when not doing much at all.

Trouble is, am I completely fine now after these admittedly quite drastic but still pretty simple steps? Is there any step in the process where the nasties could have flown through to the 'other side' and still be able to get me? I've heard of bios, boot viruses - are these a myth? Also can viruses be sent simple 'down the line' via your ip address and modem? Can they get onto the recovery drive itself, rendering a factory restore useless in any case?

I also now have two operating systems, one being this, 7, which is on my Acer DATA (F:) drive and Vista, which is on ACER (C:). Does this have any impact whatsoever on my overall computer health? I won't be using Vista at all and did try to format the F drive but to no avail (another worry for me).

Thank you so very much for your time and sorry for such a likely pointless post!

[daledoc1]

Hello and welcome, paranoiduk:

Well, it sure sounds as if you've had a busy few days with your computer. I can understand your paranoia.

The short answer about your question (bearing in mind that I am just a home user, not a computer engineer): restoring your PC to a factory image may or may not completely remove infections, DEPENDING on the actual infection. In some stubborn and high-risk cases, only a disk reformat and OS reinstall can completely cure it.

That said, it's impossible to know, based on your post, whether this would be the case for your computer; more info would be needed.

And this particular sub-forum is for issues with the MBAM program itself (installation, running, updating, etc).

SO:

If you would like general PC assistance, then it would be best to post here, instead (or to PM a mod/admin and ask to move your thread to this sub-forum):

http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showforum=6

If you are concerned that your system may be infected or may be carrying infection traces, then please:

1) Print out, read, and follow as many instructions as you can here: http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=69723

and then

2) Post with the requested information by starting a new thread here: http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showforum=7

An authorized, trained malware expert will provide free, one-on-one help checking and cleaning your system, as soon as one is available.

Other Support Options:

Alternatively, as a paying customer using MBAM PRO, you may wish instead to start a support ticket by contacting support at: support@malwarebytes.org; or

Premium, fee-based support options are available here.

Also, please use the "Add Reply" button when replying here & at the other boards, so that it will be easier for everyone to follow the thread.

Hope this helps a bit!

daledoc1

[paranoiduk]

Thanks Dale, really much appreciated Will do all of the above as soon as I get a bit more time (having some time off from computer worrying for an hour or two)

[paranoiduk]

Thanks Dale, really much appreciated Will do all of the above as soon as I get a bit more time (having some time off from computer worrying for an hour or two)