Problems following 'system tool' infection - any ideas?

clearingout · 22 March 2011 at 7:32PM

Hello,
A few weeks ago I picked up the 'system tool' virus (if that's what you call it) like many others on here. A few of you helped me remove it. Since then, I have had no end of 'attacks' of a similar nature (clicky boxes come up telling me I've got 'possible malware' or similar, running a scan for me (bogus, I can only assume) and telling me I'm about to implode. With the help of malwarebyes and stopzilla I have (I think) got rid of these. I had the mother of all breakdowns/attacks last Friday which took me 12 hours to sort, including 2 hours on the phone to BT to restore my internet connection - with thanks to man in India who went above and beyond!

Since then, Internet Explorer hasn't let me into Hotmail. I get a message across the top which says 'to help protect your security, Internet Explorer has blocked this website from displaying content with security certficiate errors. Click here for options'. In fact, Internet Explorer seems to have gone into meltdown and tells me just about every website I visit has a problem but after a few clicks here and there, it gives in!

My problem today is that I have bought an item on ebay and as I click through to paypal, I'm getting the same message as the hotmail and I can't proceed - can't click on it (or I can, but nothing at all happens, there's nothing clicky about the message if that makes sense) and I'm getting a page of the correct info, what I've bought, what it costs etc. but nothing clicky about the word 'contine' which would normally launch you into paypal. So I'm stuck. Any ideas?

full-stop · 22 March 2011 at 7:42PM

Are you using IE as your default / ONLY browser? By that I mean do you have another browser installed that you could use to test eg SeaMonkey or Opera?

If you do not have another browser, then I would suggest that you go and download one. The two I mentioned above are my favourites but others to go for.

In order to test out your browser, I would install a Portable browser which will not install onto your o/s. Go here

http://portableapps.com/apps

Download Seamonkey (under internet). Just create a folder at root C:\ called SMPortable and select the files to unpacked to that location.

Then double click the blue icon with bird and SM will open.

Good Luck

arrallas · 22 March 2011 at 7:44PM

The only safe thing to do is save all your data, format your drive and reinstall Windows. It is a pain to do, but nowhere near as bad as the hours you are wasting on so-called "cures" that may or may not work. As you have found, these things can come back and bite you on the bum when you think all is well!
Apart from anything else, your computer will run like new again.

clearingout · 22 March 2011 at 7:46PM

you make that sound so easy! I'll see what happens...
No, it's my only browser. BT guy did suggest I should have more than one. I can't say I was really aware that there are alternatives, but there you go!

clearingout · 22 March 2011 at 7:48PM

hmmm.....do I have the disks to reinstall or does my ex husband?! I might be forced to pass on that one, I'm afraid!

TwistedPsycho · 22 March 2011 at 7:50PM

Recommending a re-install so early on?

Have you tried to re-install IE8? It could be a stray file that is causing the problems.

clearingout · 22 March 2011 at 7:54PM

Nope - pretty sure I don't have version 8. Where can I find it?

TwistedPsycho · 22 March 2011 at 7:56PM

From the Microsoft website.

clearingout · 22 March 2011 at 7:59PM

Lol! Should have known that!

right - tried SeaMonkey - getting the same message so that seems to be a no-go area.

Am downloading google chrome as I write...please don't tell me that's a dreadful mistake?!