[Resolved] Receiving "Antivir" Pop-Ups And Need To Shut Down

By providing the above link (http://myspeed.visualware.com), are you saying that the various speed testing links that I have already used (such as http://www.speedtest.net, http://www2.verizon.net/micro/speedtest/hsi, etc.) are not accurate?

No I'm not saying that at all. You didn't say YOU ran you're own speed test. If you ran your own test and the speed was fine at the time, then your modem is probubly doing it's job. That doesn't mean it will always have the same speed. I'm sure you're sharing a "pipe", speed will very as to how many other's are using the "pipe" (bandwidth) at the same time. When I get to work in the morning, I'm one of a few that's logged in and everything is super fast, but when the Teachers and students start logging in the "pipe" gets close to being full and everything is very slow until the log ins are completed. If we have labs that are using the internet, then the internet is slower then normal. It works the same way at home.

Other issues can be the browser that's being used and what browser add-ons you have running. Most browsers today use anti-phising and other filters, for your protection. Anti-virus and anti-malware / spyware programs will also use resources that will slowdown the internet spped in order to check what they need to check.

Back on post #3 MBAM showed you were infected.
Have you ran it again to see if it has found any new threats? Be sure you check for MBAM updates before running.

Yes, as I stated in post #13, subsequent to the initial MBAM scan, I ran updated scans with both MBAM and Spybot - Search & Destroy and both programs showed no threats (by "updated scans" I meant that I made sure that I downloaded the latest updates of both programs prior to running the scans, which I realize that I need to do in order for a scan to be currently accurate).

A thought - is it possible to restore my registry to its status prior to the ComboFix scan and then re-run the ComboFix scan - this time, making sure that all the components of my McAfee security suite are disabled?

In regard to your comments regarding the variance in connection speed due to the normal variables - quantity of usage in the pipeline, etc., I am aware of that aspect but, again, as I stated in post # 13 - the download speed of my computer is currently approximately 59 kbps (results run from speed tests using http://www.speedtest.net and http://www2.verizon.net/micro/speedtest/hsi, etc.).

A download speed of 59 kbps is lower than dial-up (which is normally approximately 75 kbps).

My computer is DSL, not dial-up, and is supposed to have a download speed of approximately 1.5 mbps.

I am fairly certain that the normal variables that affect connection speed would not cause the connection speed to drastically drop from 1.5 mbps to 59 kbps. Wouldn't you agree?

My DSL provider remotely checked the connection speed going to to my DSL modem and showed the speed at above 1.5 mbps.

They said that since they showed the connection speed going to to my DSL modem at above 1.5 mbps, that the problem has to be some condition within my computer which is affecting how my computer is receiving the connection speed that is going to my modem.

The issue is internet-based as files in my hard drive do not appear to be affected.

My instinct tells me that this issue is being caused by malware/spyware/virus but, as we have seen, updated scans with multiple security protection programs - MBAM, Spybot - Search & Destroy, and McAfee have currently detected no threats.

I am not aware of what else could cause such a drastic drop in download connection speed (from 1.5 mbs to 59 kbps) in light of the fact that my DSL provider shows the connection speed going to to my DSL modem at above 1.5 mbps.

Of course, the upload speed has also drastically dropped but that issue would be treated simultaneously with the download connection speed issue.

Boy, this situation is a winner isn't it?

When Combofix runs it creates or atleast attempts to creat a new restore point.
You can follow the directions I gave to running it and run again.

The only way I know of to see if the slowness is related to your computer would be to have another computer hooked up exactly as the one your using.

Here's my test I just ran.
I'm paying for 3 download and 1.5 upload, but not getting either one. Now my ISP will tell me that it states " Up to" 3 down and 1.5 upload.

[external image: Posted Image]

Verizon test
Upload
Your Speed Result 2.523 Mbps
Download
Your Speed Result 438 Kbps

The download speed result of your speed test affirms my point - you state that you are paying for a download speed of 3 mbps and the download speed test result indicates a small difference of 2.52 mbps. Again, the drastic download speed difference in my case is that I am paying for 1.5 mbps and the test result indicates 59 kbps. It looks like I need to put you out of your misery and let's close this topic. Obviously, this issue is not resolved but it looks like I am going to need to purchase a service call with a computer repair service in my area and that this issue will not be able to be resolved via this forum. Thank you for all of your effort in trying to help me resolve this issue. If any future issues occur that I see as something this forum can possibly help me to resolve, I will submit a new inquiry. By the way, do you recommend purchasing an Apple Mac computer instead of a Windows-based PC due to the almost non-existence of malware/spyware/virus issues with Apple Mac computers? Again, thanks and Happy New Year.

There's still some things we can try.

Lets not rule out anything yet.

Have you tried resetting the modem?
If not, try this.
With the computer shutdown, Unplug the power from the modem. Wait for 5-10 minutes and plug the power back in. Restart the modem, then the computer.

We can also run an online virus scan.

http://www.eset.eu/online-scanner
Go here to run an online scannner from ESET.
Note: You will need to use Internet explorer for this scan
Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
Click Start
When asked, allow the activex control to install
Click Start
Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked, and the option Scan unwanted applications is checked
Click Scan
Wait for the scan to finish
Use notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt
Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic.

I already previously reset the modem as you described and there was no change to the download speed.

I reset the modem again as you described just in case and there was still no change to the download speed.

I installed ESET and during its virus update process, it stopped with the message "Cannot get update. Is proxy configured?"

Please advise.

it stopped with the message "Cannot get update. Is proxy configured?"

That's a new one on me.



Pay a visit to the Kaspersky Online Scanner 7 - I.E. is preferred for this scan.

• Read the Information panel and then click Accept.
• Allow the ActiveX download if necessary.
• Both the anti-virus engine and database will need to be downloaded, which may take a little time.
• Once this has been completed, select My Computer from the Scan section on the left hand side.
• Put the kettle on!
• Although it is recommended by Kaspersky that you should disable your anti-virus scanner before starting this scan, it should work OK with it still active - it does on my PC.
  Although you may find the scan speed increases if you carry out this step, I never like to disable my resident scanner while online, so I don't.
• When the scan has completed, click View scan report at the bottom.
• Click Save Report As…
• Enter a name for the file in the Filename: text box and then click the down arrow to the right of Save as type: and select text file (*.txt)
• Click Save and pick a location for the file - the Desktop is always handy.

Copy and paste the report into your next reply along with a fresh HJT log, run in Normal Mode, and a description of how your PC is behaving.

Note for Internet Explorer 7 users: If at any time you have trouble with the accept button of the licence, click on the Zoom tool located at the right bottom of the IE window and set the zoom to 75 %. Once the license accepted, reset to 100%.

I may not have time to complete your above instructions tonight but just want to let you know I'm still with you. I'll keep you posted.

I'm having some sheduling issues lately but I am still with you. I should be able to complete your above instructions by the end of this week. Will keep you posted.

No problem. We'll keep after it.

I tried to perform the scan tonight and received the following error message:

"Update has failed The program could not be started. Please close the window of Kaspersky Online Scanner 7.0 and start the program again from the web site of Kaspersky Lab. Successful updating of Kaspersky Online Scanner 7.0 and scanning of your computer requires uninterrupted Internet connection. Please make sure that the Internet connection is established. [ERROR: Update timeout]"

The internet was on the entire time that the update was occurring.

I'll try again tomorrow or the next day from the web site of Kaspersky Lab as the error message advises, correct?

That sounds like the connection dropped off. That happened to me a couple years ago and it turned out being the network card. Give it another try when you can.

I made another attempt last night but my computer performance has now deteriorated so drastically that the internet is virtually unusable (I am sending this reply via a different PC that I do not have access to at home) so I am currently unable to perform online scans or virtually any internet activity on my home computer (which includes not being able to access whatthetech.com from my home computer).

The current behavior of my computer is drastically slow download speed, and/or continual dropped connection yet I still think this issue is due to the presence of malware/spyware/virus as opposed to being due to an issue with the DSL connection line.

For instance, my DSL connection line is (and has always been for years) split with my telephone line via standard protocol and I am still currently able to make and receive telephone calls with no issues. Wouldn't that indicate that there is no issue with my DSL connection line?

When you state above "That happened to me a couple years ago and it turned out being the network card", could you elaborate?

What is a "network card"?

Does a home computer such as mine have a network card?

How would I be able to determine if this issue is due to my computer's network card?

If this issue is due to my computer's network card, what do I need to do to resolve it?

Are there any standard infection removal protocols to address this type of situation - can online scans be run in a different boot mode (e.g. "safe mode")? If so, of course I would like you to provide instructions on how to do so.

Please keep in mind, when I have access to my PC this evening, I will virtually have no access to the internet so unless there is an alternative method/protocol for me to be able to perform online scans and communicate with you (e.g. via a different boot mode like "safe mode"), I may not be able to perform any internet activity this evening or this weekend which would include communicating with you.

I can communicate with you throughout today up until approximately 5:00 PM from this different computer but I will obviously not be able to perform any actions on my home computer until I have access to it this evening.

This is obviously quite a distressing situation!!!!!!!!

A question that comes to mind is - what would a paid in-home computer technician be able to do in light of my computer's current situation of virtually no access to the internet?

At this point I'd suggest either taking your computer to a real computer repair shop or have a real computer technician come to your location. What I mean by "real" is a full service computer repair company that is all they do is service computers.