Security Warning

Yesterday I got infected again with the Windows Security Alert. Previously I was able to use Malwarebytes' to fix the problem, however this time that (and nothing else) is working. When I click anything I get an error "application cannot be executed. The file *** is infected. Do you want to activate your antivirus software now?" Various other things are happening (web pages opening on their own) ect. I have tried installing OTL.exe as well as IceSword122en.zip (as indicated in other forums where ppl were having my same issue) however nȯne of them are working, I keep getting the same error mentioned above. Yesterday I also tried installing WindowsDefender but that didn't install either. Please Help!

Download OTL by OldTimer to your Desktop.

• Close all windows and double click OTL.exe
  
• Click Run Scan and let the program run uninterrupted
  
• It will produce two logs for you, one will pop up - OTL.txt, the other will be saved on your Desktop - Extras.txt. Post both logs in this thread.
  
• You may need to use two posts to get it all.
  

I try to close all windows but they keep popping up. Also I keep getting the "application cannot be executed. The file *** is infected. Do you want to activate your antivirus software now?" error when trying to double click OTL.exe

Hello.
Try renaming OTL.exe to explorer.exe and see if it runs.

I had already tried that with Malwarebytes' but I also tried it with the OTL.exe and it still won't open. I keep getting the same error message when trying to open it.

Please download Ice Sword from HERE

1. Download the zip to your desktop and extract it.
   
2. Open the Ice Sword folder and then launch IceSword.exe.
   
3. Will IceSword open?
   

As I stated in my Original post, I had already tried this as well. It won't open. Nothing will open. I keep getting the error message. I have tried many times and keep getting the same error message.

Hello.

Please then reboot your computer in Safe Mode by doing the following :

• Restart your computer
  
• After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, tap the F8 key continually;
  
• Instead of Windows loading as normal, the Advanced Options Menu should appear;
  
• Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode, then press Enter.
  
• Choose your usual account.
  

Can you run OTL in Safe Mode?

After several attempts, I was able to restart in safe mode. Since I was able to boot up in safe mode, I was able to do a System Restore to prior to receiving the problem. The problem occurred when I was just browsing Google images (of hair styles) when I got to 1 that was on Photobucket and it was there that I received the Malware. What can I do to prevent from having these types of issues?

Below I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer in order to prevent future malware infections. Please take these recommendations seriously; these few simple steps can stave off the vast majority of spyware problems. As happy as we are to help you, for your sake we would rather not have repeat customers.

1) Please navigate to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and download all the "critical updates" for Windows. This can patch many of the security holes through which attackers can gain access to your computer.

Please either enable Automatic Updates under Start -> Control Panel -> Automatic Updates , or get into the habit of checking for Windows updates regularly. I cannot stress enough how important this is.

2) In order to protect yourself against spyware, you should consider installing and running the following free programs:

Ad-Aware SE
A tutorial on using Ad-Aware to remove spyware from your computer may be found here.

Spybot-Search & Destroy
A tutorial on using Spybot to remove spyware from your computer may be found here. Please also remember to enable Spybot's "Immunize" and "TeaTimer" features.

SpywareBlaster
A tutorial on using SpywareBlaster to prevent spyware from ever installing on your computer may be found here.

SpywareGuard
A tutorial on using SpywareGuard for realtime protection against spyware and hijackers may be found here.

Make sure to keep these programs up-to-date and to run them regularly, as this can prevent a great deal of spyware hassle.

3) Please consider using an alternate browser. Mozilla's Firefox browser is fantastic; it is much more secure than Internet Explorer, immune to almost all known browser hijackers, and also has the best built-in popup blocker (as an added benefit!) that I have ever seen. If you are interested, Firefox may be downloaded from here:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
I also recommand the following add-ons for Firefox, they will help keep you safe from malicious scripts or activeX exploits.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433

4) Also make sure to run your antivirus software regularly, and to keep it up-to-date.

To help you keep your software updated, please considering using this free software program that will check for program updates.
Update Checker

5) Finally, consider maintaining a firewall. Some good free firewalls are Kerio, or
Outpost
A tutorial on understanding and using firewalls may be found here.

Please also read Tony Klein's excellent article: How I got Infected in the First Place

If you would take a moment to fill out our feedback form, we would appreciate it.
The link can be found here.

Hopefully this should take care of your problems! Good luck.