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Recovering from Trojans and Viruses-again!

For the second time in 3 months, my laptop has been attacked by Trojan viruses.  For the second time, the viruses have gotten past Norton Antivirus (R) and done some damage. -Sigh-

I usually put in a blog entry so I'll remember how I fixed it when it happens again in a couple of years.  But between Win 7 and Norton, looks like I will be doing this every few months. :-)

1.  Prevention -- Put Ubuntu or other Linux-based OS on your laptop.

Even though the Windows side of my laptop is trashed, the Ubuntu Linux side works fine, and can even read files from the corrupted hard drive.  It is a life-saver!  I was able to back up all my Windows files to a backup drive.

Add Clam-Av, the free Linux-based antivirus package, to your Linux installation.  Also the Graphical User Interface (GUI) that goes along with it.

I used ClamAv to detect and quarantine the viruses from the Windows side of my hard disk.  ClamAv over-identifies viruses on your machine, but you have the option to select which files to quarantine or delete.  Don't forget to scan the backup drive for viruses too.  Likely some of them got into the backup with your legitimate files.

 2.  Create the Recovery disks

On my Lenovo, I went to
Start/Control Panel

Then typed "Lenovo" into the search box.  "Create Recovery Disks" is one of the selections that come up.  Sure it takes hours to burn them to DVDs, but if catastrophe happens, you'll be glad you did.

3.  Repair the system

Check the manufacturer's website for post-virus solutions.  I wish I had done this sooner!  For example, Lenovo, the manufacturer of my laptop, has a system update utility free for the download if needed.  It is also already on the hard drive and can be used if not damaged.  Go to;

Start/All Programs/Lenovo/System Update
or
Start/Control Panel/Lenovo/ Update and drivers.

Running the program restores damaged and missing files.

You can also go to
Accessories/Command Prompt,  Right click and select "Run As Administrator."  When the box comes up, type;

sfc /scannow

This checks and repairs critical system files.

4.  Check the hard disk for errors

Boot from your Windows Installation disk.
Select "Command Prompt"
At the X:\ prompt (in the Lenovo laptop) Type;

chkdsk C: /f /r

 5.  Backup and reinstall

If all of the above do not work, it is time to reinstall the system.
Because you have Linux on the hard drive, you can easily save all your data files to a backup drive.  Besides the usual Documents, Pictures and Videos, remember to check for data that some of your programs store in odd locations.   Thunderbird, for example, may not store its files in the expected places.

I recovered the laptop using steps 1-3, and the Win 7 side worked again for about six weeks.  Then the viruses re-appeared.  Might have to go all the way to step 5 this time.

Maybe I will try Kaspersky for my next antivirus package!


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