Computer formatting as a means to removing viruses

Viruses and worms
1

Hi.

Would someone be able to give me some advice on formatting my computer please?

Avast has informed me that I have contracted a Trojan Horse which seems to be spreading. The number of infected files has grown to about 40 and while Avast can delete about half of these, the other half remain. I use the computer as a backup and I would have no major issues about formatting the whole thing and starting again.

Firstly, if I was to format the computer would this guarantee the removal of any virus or could it survive?

Secondly, are there varying levels of formatting that I can perform? What would I have to do to ensure everything is completely wiped?

Lastly, while the virus is clearly present it hasn’t actually caused any issues with the computer running as it would usually, what kind of effects could I expect to see if it remained?

Many thanks for any advice anyone may be able to offer me.

John.

2

If youre using XP I would disable system restore FIRST

Then reboot, then try www.simplysup.com Trojan remover

If you cant get to sites, heres the direct link → http://www.simplysup1.com/download/dl/trsetup.exe

Install it update it then scan. Then select all options under utilities

Depending on what the name of the trojan is, other people maybe able to hack you remotely

Thats the point of a trojan, its not meant to tell you that its active / running. Or what its doing

I would get http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/_download/HJTInstall.exe ← hijackthis

Install it, run it, click on scan the system and save a log. Then copy and paste the log it creates back here

If you still want to format, you need the Windows CD. Put the cd in.

Then you need to go into the BIOS, and change the bootdisk to the cd, save settings, then reboot.

It’ll boot from the cd, it’ll say press a key on the screen after a few secs. Press a key, let the cd boot, it’ll take you to the setup screen, where you can partition / format the hdd. Follow what it says on the screen. You’ll also need your cd key to reinstall it.

If you’ve got a Dell/HP system, it may have a restore partition … In this case, you usually press F10 or F11 I think (Ive never had one of these, I usually build my systems). And then follow what it says on-screen

3

It’s a 30day shareware… I’d rather use SUPERantispyware, MBAM or Spyware Terminator to scan for spywares and trojans. If any infection is detected, better and safer is send the file to Quarantine than to simple delete than.

4

So, it still works.

And its one of the only programs I know of that trojans nasties dont hit / affect. As its got a feature where it can change it name so something cant disable it.