File that wont delete

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

I have a program called "desktop search" that i cant delete of my computer.
I keep getting error messages saying that the file is write protected or in
use.

I'm runnning Windows XP w/ SP2

 

[Malke]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

WWE_Champ wrote:

> I have a program called "desktop search" that i cant delete of my
> computer. I keep getting error messages saying that the file is write
> protected or in use.
>
> I'm runnning Windows XP w/ SP2

Go through the following malware removal steps. It is crucial that you
do everything with updated tools in Safe Mode.

1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
antivirus using updated definitions.

Before you remove malware, get LSPFix (or WinSockFix for XP which you
can get from MajorGeeks) - see links below.

2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from Intermute. I would not
install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there are
CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at SilentRunners.

Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good idea
to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options).

If the malware remains even after you used Ad-aware and Spybot, you can
scan with HijackThis. HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and
disable hijackers, but it requires expert skill. See below for
HijackThis links, including sites where you can post your HJT logs. A
combination of HijackThis and About:Buster works well in removing the
About:Blank homepage hijacker. Again, this is an expert tool and
novices should get help with it.

3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore because malware will be in the Restore Points. With ME, you
must disable System Restore completely. With XP, you can delete all but
the most recent (presumably clean) System Restore point from the More
Options section of Disk Cleanup (Run>cleanmgr).

4) Make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update.

5) Run a firewall.

Links to help with malware:

Software/Methods:
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.lavasoftusa.com - Ad-aware
http://www.majorgeeks.com - good download site
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. - SilentRunners
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm - Repair Winsock 2 settings after
removing spyware

HijackThis:
http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm - HijackThis tutorial by Jim
Eshelman
http://aumha.net - forums
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5 - Spyware Warrior HijackThis
forum
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/

General:
http://aumha.net - look under "Security" for various forums
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

Hi Malke,
I have a friend who has Desktop Search - fortunately, I don't but I want to
help him get rid of it. I found and tried to delete the progs and folder but
got protected error messages like WWE_Champ. I tried RightClick Properties
and also in MS-DOS attrib but still couldn't delete them.
Can i please ask ...
a) How are they protected ?
b) How can I unprotect them ?
c) I don't know much about Safe Mode - why do you recommend running AV s/w
in Safe Mode ? (Any disadvantages?)
d) What does WinSockFix do? Why do i need it?
e) Why do you say not to install driver updates from Windows Update web - is
that bad ?

Sorry so many Q's. Thanks for any A's, Gerry )

"Malke" wrote:
Go through the following malware removal steps. It is crucial that you do
everything with updated tools in Safe Mode.
1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003) antivirus
using updated definitions.
Before you remove malware, get WinSockFix for XP
2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware ... CWShredder
from Intermute ... CoolWebSearch...
If the malware remains ... scan with HijackThis ... About:Blank homepage
hijacker
3) ... disable/enable System Restore ...
4) Windows Update security patches.
Do not install driver updates from Windows Update.
5) Run a firewall.
Links ...
Malke MS MVP - Windows Shell/User www.elephantboycomputers.com

 

[Malke]

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

GerryP777 wrote:

Hi, Gerry - Answers are inline:
>
> Hi Malke,
> I have a friend who has Desktop Search - fortunately, I don't but I
> want to
> help him get rid of it. I found and tried to delete the progs and
> folder but got protected error messages like WWE_Champ. I tried
> RightClick Properties and also in MS-DOS attrib but still couldn't
> delete them.

The malware has probably changed permissions on its files, may be
running, may have changed registry entry ownership, changed attributes.
A quick Google for "Desktop Search removal" brings up lots of links.
Here is one that outlines what you must do to manually remove this
malware:

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/pest/pest.aspx?id=453090748

> c) I don't know much about Safe Mode - why do you recommend running AV
> s/w in Safe Mode ? (Any disadvantages?)

The reason to run scans for malware in Safe Mode is that you cannot
delete a file in use. Most malware (obviously not all) will not be
running in Safe Mode; therefore, your anti-malware tools will be able
to remove it. There is no disadvantage.

> d) What does WinSockFix do? Why do i need it?

A lot of malware will damage the computer's ability to get online.
LSPFix (for older Windows operating systems) and WinsockXPFix will
repair those connections. The recommendation to have these programs
ahead of time is because if you can't get online after you clean up the
computer, you won't be able to get the fixes!

> e) Why do you say not to install driver updates from Windows Update
> web - is that bad ?

In my experience - and in the experience of many other professionals -
drivers from Windows Update cause problems. First of all, unless you
have a problem with a device or are a gamer trying to squeeze every
last bit of performance out of your system, if everything is working
you don't need to update the drivers. "If it ain't broke, don't fix
it." Secondly, if you do need to update drivers, you should get them
directly from a) the device mftr.'s website for your specific hardware;
or b) from the OEM's website for your specific model computer if you
have an OEM machine like a Dell, HP, Sony, etc.

HTH,

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
www.elephantboycomputers.com
In Memoriam - MVP Alex Nichol
The world is diminished without him.