** MS Virus Removal Tool **

[Bill Lane]

Hi All:

What is this MS Virus Removal Tool? I can't seem to find it.

I do see during automatic updates that it updates this tool, but where is it?

And does it work?

Thanks ahead of time,

[juppy]

If you're talking about the MS Malicious Software Removal Tool, it's supposed to run automatically in the background. If you want to use it to scan more often, you can find the executable at C:\Windows\System32\MRT.exe (that's on WinXP...not sure if that's the same on different OS's.)

I used it once manually to scan when I heard where the file was located.....didn't find anything at the time, so I don't know whether my system was just clean or if it didn't find anything because it's not that great or what. I've assumed it was the "clean system" choice, because they keep updating the darn thing and, if it didn't work good at all, what would be the point of continuing the updates for it?

[Petef56]

Originally Posted by Bill Lane What is this MS Virus Removal Tool? I can't seem to find it. I do see during automatic updates that it updates this tool, but where is it?

Good question! We all see the MS Malicious Software Removal Tool when we do our Windows updates but it does not do anything until we run it manually. To run it manually go to ... START > RUN, then type... MRT and follow the prompts.

For Vista or Win7 I believe you can just type... MRT in the search box.

---pete---

[Panama Red]

Besides the MRT, MS offers a Security scanning tool. This is for those not running MS Security Essentials as their AV.

Microsoft Safety Scanner - Remove Spyware, Malware, Viruses Free

[Bill Lane]

Hi All: I should have told you I was running Win XP Pro with MS Security Essentials, Malwarebytes, CCleaner and SuperAntiSpy.

I Don't know what going on with the Internet, but I get hit with that phony antivirus malware two or three times a week, if I'm fast enough, I hit CTRL + ALT + DEL and End Task, and I'm okay till the next time, but if I'm too skow and it gets in, I have to run my Acronis backup to get rid of it.

If it gets in, it kills all my anti virus utilities, I can't even open my Outlook E-Mail to save anything.

I was hoping that this MS Malicious Software Removal Tool would help, but I couldn't find it.

Anyway, I'll try the MRT.EXE the next time I get hit, hope it works.

Thank you all for your help !!!

[glc]

If you keep getting hit with that stuff, it may be time to re-evaluate your browsing habits.

[Bill Lane]

I just finished running the MRT.EXE, took about 3 1/2 Hrs. for over 700,000 files.

Nothing found.

glc: I don't know how I can change my browsing habits, I use Google Images, Advanced search at 4MP or larger, I look mostly for custom cars, hot rods, electric cars and food items. What can I do and or change? I've tried Bing, but that didn't help.

I even reported this problem to Google, and gave them the URL where I received a virus last week. They said they would check it out and get back to me, but nothing from them yet.

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by Bill Lane I Don't know what going on with the Internet, but I get hit with that phony antivirus malware two or three times a week, if I'm fast enough, I hit CTRL + ALT + DEL and End Task, and I'm okay till the next time, but if I'm too skow and it gets in, I have to run my Acronis backup to get rid of it.

Do you know anyone using the same Internet Provider as you? (in your area)

[Bill Lane]

Hi rjfvillsrosa:

I have a neighbor, but I don't think he will be able to help. The last time he had a virs he couldn't get rid of it, so he bought a new computer, and only goes on line now to places he does business with.

My ISP is Century Link

The version of MS Malicious Software Removal Tool that you download monthly while updating Windows does run in the background during the install process. If it finds something, it tells you, other than that you don't even know it has checked your system. If you want more info: Malicious Software Removal Tool | Protect Your Computer

[rwest]

Just a heads up for anybody who cares, but earlier this year there was a virus or something running around that presented itself to look like MS Malicious Software Removal Tool. Both my wife and her sister got hit with it. Malwarebytes took care of it easily though.

Originally Posted by Bill Lane The last time he had a virs he couldn't get rid of it, so he bought a new computer

That seems pretty extreme. I wonder how many people 'may' actually do this instead of just formattimg and reinstalling.

Even if you had to buy an OS cause the backup on 'D' is not working, would be less than a whole new pc.

[Bill Lane]

Thanks usnavyretired & rwest:

I forgot to tell you that when I got hit the last time, even my Acronis that's installed on the computer wouldn't work, it would start and then tell me "REBOOT REQUIRED", so I had to go into setup and set my first boot to CDROM and run Acronis from there.

Anyway, thanks to glc, I bought the Acronis program and it works great !

Just wish the people that have web sites would check (if they can) to see if a virus has been installed on their site and get rid of it.

[glc]

Bill, what browser are you using? If you are using IE, you may want to explore alternatives.

[Bill Lane]

glc:

Yes I'm using IE 8

What do you suggest?

[Petef56]

Originally Posted by Bill Lane Hi All: I should have told you I was running Win XP Pro with MS Security Essentials, Malwarebytes, CCleaner and SuperAntiSpy. I Don't know what going on with the Internet, but I get hit with that phony antivirus malware two or three times a week, if I'm fast enough, I hit CTRL + ALT + DEL and End Task, and I'm okay till the next time, but if I'm too skow and it gets in, I have to run my Acronis backup to get rid of it.

Repeat all your scans until they all come up with nothing found.
If any items found keep showing up, you will need to take further steps to manually delete them.

Also run.. TDSS KILLER
Anti-rootkit utility TDSSKiller

Check the Windows Task Scheduler to see if any tasks exist that you don't recognize which could be downloading malware.

Make sure you reset IE8 after each cleaning.

Uninstall any peer to peer file sharing software such as utorrent.

---pete---

[glc]

Bill, I use Opera. The most popular alternative is Firefox. They are not malware-proof, but are generally less likely to be targeted and get you in trouble.