Whats the Best Way to Remove "Win 7 Security 2012" Virus?

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2011 8:46 pm

I guess I'll never for the life of me understand why anyone would put up with running Windows and fighting endlessly with mall-ware, viruses, Trojan horses, etc...

I've been running Unix and/or Linux based computers continually and with no virus protection at all since the year 2000 and I've never had any issues with any of the above.

SMITTY · Post by **SMITTY** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2011 9:10 pm

Once this one shits the bed, that'll be my next computer.

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2011 9:15 pm

I got a spare ThinkPad, I think I'll load up Red Hat on it....

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2011 9:18 pm

I like 'Linux Mint'. The latest version is Linux Mint 12, and as always, it's free.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Mon. Dec. 19, 2011 12:04 am

The cure is fairly easy...
Image the drive first if there is anything you care about or fubar the OS during a repair...
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/rem ... urity-2012
follow the directions...
Combofix is also good to run and make sure the computer is clean...
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/anti-virus/combofix
Read the instructions...

Post by **Richard S.** » Mon. Dec. 19, 2011 4:10 am

SMITTY wrote:By reformatting do you mean wiping out the whole disc & reloading the OS? I've always heard of doing this but sounds like a MAJOR pain in the ass. Every single computer I have had probably needed this.

It is to some degree but if you keep organized to begin with then it's not much of an issue. The biggest issue becomes custom files, for example suppose you install font and use it in a video project. If the font is not installed after you reformat then it uses default.... For that reason I keep a copy of all the fonts I install in My documents and apply the same thing to other pieces of software. Bookmarks on your browser and email is another example. Fortunately you can either set custom locations for them in My documents or export them before reformatting.

I'm still on XP and still do this every 2 or 3 years, actually the first thing I did when I got my first winXP computer was to reformat and wipe out the factory restore partition to gain some space as it was easiest way to wipe out all the crap installed at factory. Note I have full copy of XP so I don't need the factory restore partition, you may need it.

First copy everything you need to an external drive, preferably two of them so you have two copies. Be sure to have a copy for the display drivers for your video card.

Full reformat and install Windows. Be aware if you have a USB mouse/keyboard you *may* need a regular mouse/keyboard.

Install the drivers for the video card and set the display so your eyes don't bug out of your head.

Run Windows update.

Download and install any drivers you may need like for printers etc.

Install all your software.

Run CC cleaner to get rid of the crap, there is especially a lot of files generated from windows update that can be GB's.

Defragment even if it tells you that it's not needed.

Lastly copy your personal files to your computer.

Post by **Richard S.** » Mon. Dec. 19, 2011 4:15 am

lsayre wrote:I guess I'll never for the life of me understand why anyone would put up with running Windows and fighting endlessly with mall-ware, viruses, Trojan horses, etc...

I've been running Unix and/or Linux based computers continually and with no virus protection at all since the year 2000 and I've never had any issues with any of the above.

Since 2000 I've had one infection and that was after letting a teenager near my computer.

Linux is even less of a target than Macs, they don't attract the attention of a lot of hackers. On the server end since Linux is used on so many servers it's under constant attack and gets hacked frequently.

I'm On Fire · Post by **I'm On Fire** » Tue. Dec. 20, 2011 12:55 pm

lsayre wrote:Install Linux. It laughs at Windows viruses.

Too bad its not so easy to play games on. I love Linux but the last time I had it installed I couldn't play any games.

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Tue. Dec. 20, 2011 8:10 pm

lsayre wrote:I like 'Linux Mint'. The latest version is Linux Mint 12, and as always, it's free.

Wow! Linux Mint 12 was the easiest install I've ever done! Downloaded and installed it, connected to the network, and on NEPACrossroads in less than 30 minutes!

Smitty! You could do this! Its entirely GUI.

The only thing I can't figure out, is how to connect to my Network Printer....
Edit..... found how to add a printer...