I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Hey all.

So yeah, I've got this thing called the recycler virus and it's camping out on my external hard drive, main hard drive and all of my memory cards as well.

I did the whole Google experience to find a solution and I think I picked up even more junk just by going to the wrong places online.

I'm currently running Windows XP without a firewall and no Antivirus protection.

Basically my butt is flapping out in the breeze.

I'm horrible at computers so if someone knows a perfect way to delete this junk, I would be most honored to hear from you.

So far, by looking at the hidden files, I'm seeing "RECYCLER and System Volume Information" on my external hard drive, C: drive and memory cards.

Could someone please be my new bestest of friends?

Oh and talk to me like I'm a monkey on this. :)


And yeah, I have no problem whatsoever if I need to reformat my entire computer, just not my external hard drive and memory cards.

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

AFAIK, those folders are created by Windows itself. "RECYCLER" being the Recycle Bin and "System Volume Information" being where System Restore points (among others) are saved.

You can adjust the size used by RECYCLER by going to the Recycle Bin properties and the size reserved for System Restore points can be changed from the System Control Panel.

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Qwerty! :D

Hey thanks!

Yeah, it's tough to know if I even nuked it or not.

Currently my RECYCLER is over 6 megs. But yeah, I'll just whittle the maximum size of the folder down to 0 and hope that clears it all.

Thanks for the idea!

It's definitely not a suggestion I've heard of yet while rifling through the net and picking up even more bugs while doing so. :)

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

"I'm currently running Windows XP without a firewall and no Antivirus protection."

There is your problem so the very first thing to do is at least go get some virus protection and many offer free trial periods.
You should never even attempt to put a pc on the net without virus protection or a firewall at the very least.
AVAST is ok so go get that for starters and as a firewall COMODO is quite good and both have free options without even the need for a trial period.
On top of that get some Malware protection and for this i suggest you try Malwarebytes as it is also free permanently.
Everything i have suggested is in fact free to download and use permanently but only download from the makers sites and never from a torrent site as its likely to be infested.
I hope this is of some use to you.

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Okay, I just set all of my drives to have a maximum size for the recycling bin to 0%.

Give me something so horrible and disgusting to download that I want to beat the crap out of it immediately! *lol*

I'd like to see if this works.


Personal pictures of you would be fine. :D

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Try this step, may be helpful. (It was for me).

You can remove the recycler virus both manually

1. Search for the process called CTFMON.EXE and kill it through Task Manager.
2. Search CTFMON.EXE file in the Startup menu and delete it.
3. Boot the system in safe mode and open the command prompt.
4. Disable hidden, system, and read only attributes for autorun.inf and recycled folder delete them.
5. Clean the recycle bin.
6. Repeat these steps for all the drives on your computer.
7. Open registry editor and modify the NoDriveTypeAutoRun entry with 03ffffff value after searching it in following registry folders:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWARE
8. Reboot and scan your system with latest antivirus software.

Or via software

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Thanks Bill!

I actually looked up Malwarebytes a bit ago while trying to find a solution and it was asking for $30 bucks. But then again, I think the reference came from a shady place.

I so wish the internet wasn't just a daily, turd depository. :)

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Hey man!

Yeah, I think I'll choose software instead.

I'm a total nut with computers.

Big thanks for the reference!

So can we lock this thread yet? :)

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Its free you dont pay a cent here is the download link from cnet ok.

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebyte...-10804572.html

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Yes, you can lock the thread now.

and as Abill_UK said, its free, you dont have to pay unless you want to keep it forever and want it for real time protection.

But yes, do get some AV ;)

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

For free non-commercial antivirus, I would take a look at Avast if I was you. I'd also like to recommend Comodo Antivirus, I really would, cause I love the GUI of it, but it'll run stable for a few weeks then ruin something for you. So, my recommendation is Avast. It has this lovely "Your virus database has been updated" sound clip. Totally worth it just for that.

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Seems we think alike ha :D

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Their is your problem right their . . . YOUR RUNNING WINDOWS XP . . . for 99% of users windows is an unnecessary burden of a Operating System to run on their machines. With Linux you dont need an Anti-Virus . . . the Windows Viruses won't WORK!!!

As come pared to Linux based OS's and Mac's, Windows is slow and susceptible to TONS of VIRUS'S that simply do not exist with Linux or Mac. You can download the Windows viruses and try to run them on the Linux Box but they won't work simply because they are written to work on and target windows users.

I am surprised than especially in the Maemo Forums I am going to be the first person to recommend installing Ubuntu, an free, open source, user friendly venison of Linux that comes with everything you need to get the most out of your PC.

You can learn more about Ubuntu and download it for free at Ubuntu.com

You can thank me later :D

http://www.ubuntu.com/

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Kaspersky all the way!!!

http://www.kaspersky.com/

I tried Norton and some others but i will stay with kaspersky much better 10/10!

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Ah... sorry, but this is just a perfect blast from the past :)

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/retro_virus.png

MS defender, spybot, nod32, avast, bitdefender, ... please choose and use one.

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Have to admit I'd go Kaspersky. Running Security 2010 on W7 X86 and X64 at home and they are both slick as slick can be.

In terms of Viruses, I've had plenty and dealt with them myself. The reason why they attack Windows machines is because a core component in the OS is the C:\Windows\System32 folder, which is primarily the target folder for any interdependant *.dll files that the virus either links into or creates itself. If the virus cannot file the path specified, ie C:\Windows\System32 then it can't install itself and therefore is null and void. That's another reason why I run 64 bit on the desktop - because System32 doesn't exist, and my girl can have 32bit on the lappy because Flash doesnt like working in 64bit browsers, and I'm too lazy to explain the difference :P. Besides, if she picks up a nasty I'll get rid of it if Kaspersky doesn't.

As for Recycler being a virus - LMAO! If you are concerned about viruses being resident in your machine then download and run MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. Granted, it's not a full suite of anti-virus tools, but it is a one-stop shop for MOST of the bad things you are going to pick up from the internet.

Besides anything else, if you had a *true* virus then I doubt very much that you would be able to post on this forum. It's far more likely that if anything, you have a slight greyware infection. Run Anti-Malware. Should see you ok :D

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

I actually agree with you on this one but the problem is people simply cannot run Ubuntu as they are experianced XP users etc and probably would not know where to start but what about installing Virtual pc ? then installing Ubuntu?

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

I for one prefer linux on my servers (and router, popcorn hour, cell phone) and windows on my desktops. Granted, Linux desktops have come a very, very long way since the totally useless crap it was when I first seriously tried it out some fifteen years ago, but the Windows software base wins hands down, and that's where I have my knowledge and experience too. Can't erase decades of routine.

If I was a kid now though, I'd probably think differently.

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

I have moved to a Linux desktop, with a dual-boot that lets me occasionally boot to Windows for some games, and a Windows XP VM that I run through the free VMWare Player (in Linux) for the Windows stuff that isn't games. Seems to be working OK so far...

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Been running openSUSE for about 5 years now, never let me down (except when I was screwing with it and didn't know what I was doing!)

Linux is the way forward!

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

SpyBot and Avira is probably the best free combination for a decent protection, and of course using FF as a browser and some healthy common sense - and you'll probably be 99.99% secure...

(I myself bought and running Kaspersky Internet Security on Win7, using IE8 and was never let down by this combination)

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

that's the problem.

Re: I got the nastiest virus, and this time, I didn't even earn it.
 

Do you really consider a guy who runs Windows XP without an antivirus and a firewall as "experienced" ?
seriously...

Just install Linux Mint if you're afraid of what Linux looks like. It looks like a Windows but it's a modified Ubuntu.