Love Letter Virus ...

Viruses and worms
1

I downloaded the free version of Avast from cnet a couple of months ago. I thought that I was protected from viruses. Maybe, I didn’t finish the installation properly … Duh … However, it seemed - and seems - to be working properly.

Anyway, the first thing this morning, I got word from Avast that I was infected with the Love Letter Virus. I NEVER open Strange Mail, or go to Risky Web sites. NEVER. In addition, I haven’t opened any personal mail in a few days, and I certainly haven’t opened anything that the warnings have associated with this virus. How could this have happened?

As directed, I sent the damned thing to the Virus Chest. However, I want it out of my computer. How do I accomplish that, without risking re-infection, if I screw up? If I uninstall the program, will it take the virus with it?

Thank you,
Fenix

2

Hi Fenix,

There are other ways of infection as well. Here is a removal tool download link:
http://www.symantec.com/content/en/us/global/removal_tool/threat_writeups/fixlove.exe

polonus

3

I suggest:

  1. Disable System Restore and reenable it after step 3.
  2. Clean your temporary files.
  3. Schedule a boot time scanning with avast with archive scanning turned on.
  4. Use SUPERantispyware and/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.
  5. Test your machine with anti-rootkit applications. I suggest avast! antirootkit or Trend Micro RootkitBuster.
  6. Make a HijackThis log to post here or, better, submit the RunScanner log to to on-line analysis.
  7. Immunize your system with SpywareBlaster or Windows Advanced Care.
  8. Check if you have insecure applications with Secunia Software Inspector.