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| Thread ID: 99975 | 2009-05-22 02:22:00 | puzzle about infected files | mark c (247) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 775766 | 2009-05-22 02:22:00 | Hi. I don't have a problem but a query. When your AV picks up a virus or a trojan or whatever and sticks it in the vault then says you've got an infected file and you can delete it then doesn't that mean you can have a presumably legitimate and needed file, now infected, removed. How many 'good' files that go 'bad' can you remove before your system won't work? I've had a look around but can't find a specific answer to this. TIA mark c |
mark c (247) | ||
| 775767 | 2009-05-22 02:28:00 | Depends what the name of the file is. Not all infected files are windows files. If its an important file (and its needed, and its infected), and its needed to boot into windows, the system will probably crash, you'll never get into windows. So, if 1 (important) file (something like winlogon.exe) gets infected, then say byebye to windows, till either you replace the infected file, slave it to another working system (and replace the file), or you reinstall windows |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 775768 | 2009-05-22 02:45:00 | Hmm Ok thanks very much for that Speedy. Still a bit odd though. I've deleted heaps of infected files and every program and stored item (like a .doc or .jpg) seems to work fine. Thanks for your reply though, did confirm what I'd thought about windows files. |
mark c (247) | ||
| 775769 | 2009-05-22 02:57:00 | Well that depends on what youre infected with. Different viruses / trojans infect different things on a system. Some infect files, some spread through to your address book (like when you get an attachment in email and run it). Some infect word docs, excel spreadsheets. Some do damage (if you use IRC and log into whatever server). Some steal passwords (ie: if you use online banking). They may do just one thing (like the above) and nothing else. Some exploit windows vulnerabilities (for people who cant be bothered keeping their system up to date). It doesnt mean it'll infect everything you've installed. | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 775770 | 2009-05-22 03:11:00 | OK that's great now I've got a better handle on it. Thanks for your time. You're a very helpful guy and I hope you have a long and happy life. |
mark c (247) | ||
| 775771 | 2009-05-22 03:18:00 | No probs :) | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 775772 | 2009-05-22 03:59:00 | You're a very helpful guy and I hope you have a long and happy life. LOL :D |
nofam (9009) | ||
| 775773 | 2009-05-22 04:05:00 | If a program file is infected and the AV removes it the program will stop working. This usually happens with dodgy programs downloaded from the internet and you are better off without them anyway. I currently have a laptop here that Avast said was riddled with infected Windows files. Nothing I could do about it except have them deleted and of course Windows then fell over. A fresh install solved the problem. With other, non-program or non-Windows files that get infected, nothing bad will happen to the program or Windows if the files are deleted. |
FoxyMX (5) | ||
| 775774 | 2009-05-22 04:16:00 | With other, non-program or non-Windows files that get infected, nothing bad will happen to the program or Windows if the files are deleted. OK I get it. I only d/l known and reputable utility programs anyway. Like Avast and Sygate and Spybot etc. Thanks for yr help. mark c |
mark c (247) | ||
| 775775 | 2009-05-22 06:05:00 | If a virus infects a critical system file, such as userinit, then the secuiryt of the system is seriously compromised and you should backup all data and reinstall before it wreaks havoc. | Blam (54) | ||
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