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    Weird setup.exe file showing up in every folder

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by maverick280857, Jul 15, 2008.

  1. maverick280857

    maverick280857 Notebook Consultant

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    Hi

    I am using Windows XP Media Center Edition, service pack 3.

    Just a few hours ago, I noticed that almost every folder on my computer had a "setup.exe" file. This is clearly a virus/trojan, probably Lovegate? Strangely though NOD32, Windows Defender and System Mechanic have not detected it despite having updated their definitions.

    I can't find a fix for this virus/trojan and I really don't want to reinstall Windows. Any ideas?

    Thanks in advance.
    Cheers.
     
    maverick280857, Jul 15, 2008
    #1
  2. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    Try kaspersky internet security, activate it with a trial key for full functionality, and then run a scan at max protection..!!
    Or try a scan in safe mode with system restore off....
    Check out this link as well....
     
    Andy, Jul 15, 2008
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  3. Hep!

    Hep! sees beauty in everything

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    Try some trials. Bitdefender is good. As andag said, Kaspersky. Also run SUPERAntiSpyware and EMCO Malware Destroyer.

    Good luck.
     
    Hep!, Jul 15, 2008
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  4. Wirelessman

    Wirelessman Monkeymod

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    A friend had a virus Q I believe and they only fix was a clean install. That file was in each and every folder.
     
    Wirelessman, Jul 15, 2008
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  5. timtravel42

    timtravel42 Notebook Virtuoso

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    i recommend Kaspersky and Bitdefender
    as a last ditch attempt, try AVG or Avira AntiVir
     
    timtravel42, Jul 15, 2008
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  6. maverick280857

    maverick280857 Notebook Consultant

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    Kaspersky hasn't helped, will try Bitdefender and AVG.

    Really don't want to do a clean install...did it just a few weeks ago :(
     
    maverick280857, Jul 16, 2008
    #6
  7. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    I hope one of those virus scanners help out.
     
    surfasb, Jul 16, 2008
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  8. Baserk

    Baserk Notebook user

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    Try both Malwarebytes'Antimalware and SuperAntispyware free on-demand scanners and let them run and clean you notebook.
    Download links are in my signature.

    If all these reputable programs, including Kaspersky, BitDefender etc. fail you, there isn't very much you can do, except call in the help of specialized forums.
    Download HijackThis from TrendMicro here; link.
    Create an account on Castlecops here; link and follow their procedure exactly.
    Be prepared to wait a couple of hours before you get help at such a forum and take into account that following their procedure will also take several hours.
    Keep in mind that cleaning your harddrive with Active@KillDisk or DBAN and reinstalling XP, while being a tedious job, will take just a few hours.
    (I assume you have a backup of all personal files).
    Cheers and good luck.
     
    Baserk, Jul 16, 2008
    #8
  9. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    upload the file to here and it will be checked by about 20 different virus scanners.

    It`s simple to use
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Jul 16, 2008
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  10. maverick280857

    maverick280857 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks a ton folks, for all your help and suggestions. Thought I should update everyone.

    AVG (with latest updates) detected and identified the trojan as Proxy.ABPD (which gives no google results save "Achievement by Proxy Distortion" :p).

    The symptoms are:

    1. A file called kernelcheck.exe exists on your primary master (C: in my case) drive.

    2. A file called setup.exe exists in almost every frequently accessed folder, especially those folders containing video and audio files.

    Now, as I'm typing this, AVG is scanning the drive. Hope it cleans it too ;)

    Thanks again.
     
    maverick280857, Jul 16, 2008
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  11. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    I would not trust AVG, it is notorius for faulse positives, did you upload the file to the website i linked above?
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Jul 16, 2008
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  12. maverick280857

    maverick280857 Notebook Consultant

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    I tried, but I suppose AVG locked it first :rolleyes:

    You're right about the false positives...
     
    maverick280857, Jul 17, 2008
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