Antivirus/files (stuff) help (PC)!

xmichikox

Hm, I think this would be the right subsection of the forum.

Anyways, I'm new to PC's and just windows in general. I've used them at school and stuff, but I don't really care about the school's virus protection. Anyhow, I have a few questions, because I am technologically-retarded. No, seriously.

Specs:

Um, I'm not sure what to put here, so just ask me what you need. I'm running a Toshiba Tecra M7 (used, if that's significant?) on Windows XP with 80 gigs memory and 2 gigs RAM. English.

Anyways, on msconfig, if you find a file that is NOT supposed to be there, how do you locate the file, as well as determine it's name? It would seem neither of the four programs I've used so far have detected anything in their scans, but I want to make sure.

On the topic of this, if you've researched the potential threat and located where it's supposedly located (if it was the virus and not the correct file), and it's not there, am I to assume the file in question was not a virus?

Also, another of my concerns would be if running Avira (Free) and Malwarebytes (Free) at the same time is too much, because I know if you run too many anti-virus programs they'll just mess each other up. And what about Prevxcsi? Would adding that to the mix (disabled but installed) be too much? I think it would, but again I'm not sure.

And lastly, the absolute NOOB question, if I delete files from quarantine, nothing bad happens, right (assuming the detection wasn't a false-positive or whatever you call them)

Thanks so much!

Oh, lastly, do any of you know what the TOSDCR.EXE and Launcher.exe is in startup? I'm kind of concerned, because I have no clue what they are, and they both can either be good or bad, but I don't know how to tell the difference... I'm convinced Launcher.exe is the bad one, but none of my antivirus programs are picking it up. Not bad then? Help? Dies

I know I'm being stupid, but please don't say stuff like "google it." Because I have spent the last 5 hours googling all of this stuff! I am still unsure on some of it though, and you help is greatly appreciated!

ju_one06

in prefer kaspersky for antivirus..
is better then other AV

Sentou_Ryoku

Pretty much what the above post said

xmichikox

@ akibastyle, it's fine.

@ Quirk -- I read through computer forums a lot, too. But thanks for the advice and explanation.

I already know the name of what I'm looking up, and I found some stuff on how to delete it and stuff, but I was wondering if there's a way to find files that are listed in the msconfig window, since it tells you the action of the autostartup, but it doesn't tell you where it is located. I thought that if I could find that particular file I could see if the location matches where the file would be if it were a virus and then deal with it from there.

And by "deleting the file it's in" does that include deleting from quarantine?

xmichikox

oh, okay! Thanks for the help. It's really appreciated.

Yeah, I've been running fine with about 10 of the buggers in quarantine for a month or so. Die viruses/trojans/malware, dieeeeee!!! RAWR! lol.

xmichikox

oh, thanks. ^^ wow, 40? I thought I had a lot. I think I've only got like 7 in quarantine right now.

Okay, um, hypothetical question; if you have a .rar file and say it has one of those hidden file thingies, could you scan it and, assuming it is a virus your scan is capable of detecting, would it detect the virus in the .rar file?

Second hypothetical question with .rar file, do these files only extract/install AFTER you've extracted the .rar file?

EDIT: I HAVE used regedit before...wow.

xmichikox

what function?
oh, okay. Thanks.

Yes! You should never download those things! They are most likely a scam.

btw, I never got my question about quarantine answered. Can I just delete them? Or will they still be on my system? Should I do anything else? I'm running malwarebytes right now.

BooYaa

Usually using multi Antiviruses softwares is not recomended
but that also depends on what software one is using
EG: one could use a software which only detects Viruses at the same time with a software that only detects Spyware alongside a third one which focuses only on RootKits...
Even some of the bigger Antivirus companies offer different versions of their Anti-Virus, One as a complete Solution which would include Anti-Virus, Spyware, Rootkits, FireWall, Malware, Adware, etc...
and then others which would be on a lighter scale, made for specific tasks.

Avira I know is a multi purpose Anti-Virus so is MalwareBytes and so both of them running at the same time could clash with eactother alongside causing your computer to slow down when threats are detected (both will fight over to secure the file for quarentine but will either fail in doing so or keep at it for an indefinate loop and if you are lucky, one will be able quarentine it while the other will give some errors)

Deleting files (viruses) from quarantine will not effect your computer so much as when they got Quarantined in the first place (if the operating system had to get any problems it would have gotten them when the file got quarantined, so deleting them from the list will not harm you ) (if the file goes into the Q-List and you did not wanted to have it sent there, then depending on your Antivirus Software, you would be able to Recover the files (send them back into the folder (location) form where they got removed) and also send that file into the Whitelist so as that false-positive or the file you wanted to keep does not automatically gets sent to the Q-List again)
[Spoiler]

[/spoiler]
The command tab in MSCONFIG.exe
is the location of the file in your windows explorer
the Location tab shows the location of the file in the REGEDIT.exe
Some files have the [Hidden] [System] [Read Only] attributes
To show the files with [H] and\or [S] attributes
you may need to select that option from your folder options
[spoiler][/spoiler]

The options to select is
Show Hidden files and folders
UnTick the Hide System files option

All the above Screen shots are from a Windows XP Operating System so if you are on Vista or Win7.. the steps would be a bit different but to an extent they would be close to eachother so just browse through your explorer and menu tabs till you find anything similar to what you need :)

TOSDCR.EXE
is a Toshiba Bloatware. it an application which comes pre-installed with Toshiba Laptops. It is not as such a Virus but if you do not like it, you may delete\uninstall or block it.. it will not effect your day to day usage of your computer.

Launcher.exe on the other hand depends on what it is launching... many normal programs can use it .. as well as viruses so I can not tell you if the Launcher.exe that you have running on your system is from a Virus or a valid software program.

The antiviruses companies different products that I have used are (not in any particular order)
NOD32,
BitDefender,
MalwareBytes,
Ad aWare Antivirus(i think that was what it was called)
Spyroot(I think this was a fake Antivirus [be aware of fake Anti Viruses, always research in the AntiVirus that you will be installing before you get into it])
Avira
AVG
Kaspersky
NIS
Spyware Doctor
Norton
Panda (currently using [cloud version]
Vipre
Avast
and some others that I cant remember :P
then I also have used helpfull tools like
Combofix <-- Recomended to have but only for advanced users and as a last resort
CCLeaner <-- Recomended to have
UnLocker <-- Recomended to have

... I think that is about it
I do not know If I was much of a help but yeah I hope you get a good run of your computer before it crashes or gives you any new problems ^^

TheWolf

ju_one06;261337 wrote
in prefer kaspersky for antivirus..
is better then other AV

i'll look at that ju_one :hello: ... i've been using AVG Antivirus Free for years and i like that. :m-happy2:

illumin7

Here are some tools:

CCleaner - Is useful for working alongside Windows maintenance tools everyone should know about this program by now.

Jetico BCWipe - Similar to CCleaner but mainly for file deletion wit some added extras check out the rest of their products as they have some handy encryption programs for those who like to keep personal and legal documents backed up.

Ashampoo HDD Control - Great tool for monitoring HDD's ever wanted to know what the actual surface temperature of HDD have you ever given it thought no...? me either anyway that's just one of the few things this handy program does.

HTTPS Everywhere - Secure connection to websites like Wikipedia (partialy) Google, Wordpress, Twitter, Paypal etc just read and install this is for Firefox users only also works with FF4.

Sophos Anti-Rootkit - Just read too long to explain but a root kit by definition is:

A set of tools available to hackers to allow them to gain access to root (privileged) functions on a server.

I know I've forgotten some but blame a massive workload and a lack of sleep when I remember I'll post more.

Edit:

My post count isn't high enough to post links sorry people this post was interactive I done goofed.

akibastyle

[FONT=Century Gothic]Unfortunately, I'm no help when it comes to this :((surprise!:confetti:)
The last time I tried to use 2 AV programs simultaneously, they ended up canceling each other out and all viruses I had quarantined ended up being free and I was out a CPU for 5 months until I could afford the repair...:P
[/FONT]

ZeusFlo

xmichikox;161814 wrote
Hm, I think this would be the right subsection of the forum.

Anyways, I'm new to PC's and just windows in general. I've used them at school and stuff, but I don't really care about the school's virus protection. Anyhow, I have a few questions, because I am technologically-retarded. No, seriously.

Specs:

Um, I'm not sure what to put here, so just ask me what you need. I'm running a Toshiba Tecra M7 (used, if that's significant?) on Windows XP with 80 gigs memory and 2 gigs RAM. English.

Anyways, on msconfig, if you find a file that is NOT supposed to be there, how do you locate the file, as well as determine it's name? It would seem neither of the four programs I've used so far have detected anything in their scans, but I want to make sure.

On the topic of this, if you've researched the potential threat and located where it's supposedly located (if it was the virus and not the correct file), and it's not there, am I to assume the file in question was not a virus?

Also, another of my concerns would be if running Avira (Free) and Malwarebytes (Free) at the same time is too much, because I know if you run too many anti-virus programs they'll just mess each other up. And what about Prevxcsi? Would adding that to the mix (disabled but installed) be too much? I think it would, but again I'm not sure.

And lastly, the absolute NOOB question, if I delete files from quarantine, nothing bad happens, right (assuming the detection wasn't a false-positive or whatever you call them)

Thanks so much!

Oh, lastly, do any of you know what the TOSDCR.EXE and Launcher.exe is in startup? I'm kind of concerned, because I have no clue what they are, and they both can either be good or bad, but I don't know how to tell the difference... I'm convinced Launcher.exe is the bad one, but none of my antivirus programs are picking it up. Not bad then? Help? Dies

I know I'm being stupid, but please don't say stuff like "google it." Because I have spent the last 5 hours googling all of this stuff! I am still unsure on some of it though, and you help is greatly appreciated!

Hi there :hello:
that depends what windows you installed in you computer, is original OEM or is cracked version from torrent world, this cracked version come with hacks tools (anti wpa, cracked windows genuine) that's block your windows to registering or discovered by Microsoft servers, and it allows some files stealthily to contact the owner of this cracked version to reveals and transmit you private data such as passwords or priceless files.

Sow beware always use legal software for safety operate and surfing the internet!!!

In my windows i use as anti virus and surfing the internet the AVG Internet Security. Jane!

Quirk

intead of trying google the problem, find a forum like this but on computers, tech and stuff. One way to delete files permanetly is to use the registry editor. BUT always save a backup file, because if you delete a file you need, it is a big hassle to get it back.

For viruses just deleting the file it came in or its own may not always work, I know you said you've been googleing, but find the name of the virus, sometimes its in the process and applications tabs of the Windows task manager (crtl+alt+delete). Type the name into google and if it is a virus they should be a page somewhere to help you get rid of it, but don't do it automatically, cause the program isn't freeware and you have to pay for it.

Quirk

some times when you download a .rar, zip or program it has hidden files set to extract or install with out you knowing. So if you delete that first file it won't have deleted the virus that tagged along. Have you tried that regedit? That should be able to tell you the name and the location as well as deleting it.
Go to run-type regedit- opens up the registry editor-file-export and save a backup-then press crtl+F and type in the virus name. Just remember to be careful of what you delete.

I don't know if you knew that already but good luck wuth the virus busting, just had my comp swept clean of 40 little buggers

Quirk

1st. just checked on hardforum.com, off of google and it says you can detect some viruses with an antivirus, though with some of them you will have to enable the fuction. They can't search password protected ones though, even if you have the password.

2nd. A rar or zip files is just the same as a box, the virus can't get out until it is opened.

I had to get my comp fixed by a friend, One virus made it impossible access anything because they were all "corrupted", it was anti-spyware scan soft or something. But it pretended to be a anti-virus and said install me and everything will be fine, luckily I didn't. Hope you computer gets well soon.O.<

Quirk

1: the function is just an option to turn on or off to check inside the rar files, so if you go into options on your AV program there should be an option to scan the inside of rar or zipped files.

As for the quarantine deleting them from it will permanently delete them. The best thing to do is to wait a week or so to see if you comp is running any good. Because once as file is in quarantine it is seperated from your comp, so if it is needed you will notice problems with out it. But no problems means you can safely delete it.O.<