Suddenly a bunch of warnings from Bitdefender...

If you've not seen them before, block, then ask your sons if they allowed anything to be installed on your computer.

Lettermanian said:

Hello all, not exactly photo related, but my Win 10 Samsung laptop is suddenly displaying numerous warnings from my Bitdefender security program. The warnings are mostly about obscure applications on my pc "attempting to access the internet", then stating the destination. I'm not knowledgeable about most of the applications in the warnings, so I don't really know if I should block or allow. I've never seen so many on a regular basis. The security program hasn't behaved like this before.

I know that correlation does not necessarily mean causation, but this started happening after my sons played a few games on R**lox. I used the computer a couple of hours later after they were done, and the mouse cursor was stuck on the blue loading circle for a long time. I had to reboot the computer twice before things seemed to work normally, but then all of the security warnings came up (and continue to).

Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

Sounds bad. I would:

• Save important data since last backup on a flash drive or external HDD.
• Then restore the last backup.
• Then scan all of the saved data on the external drive for viruses.

Sky

Get the free version of Malwarebytes and have it do a scan.

Lettermanian said:

Hello all, not exactly photo related, but my Win 10 Samsung laptop is suddenly displaying numerous warnings from my Bitdefender security program. The warnings are mostly about obscure applications on my pc "attempting to access the internet", then stating the destination. I'm not knowledgeable about most of the applications in the warnings, so I don't really know if I should block or allow. I've never seen so many on a regular basis. The security program hasn't behaved like this before.

I know that correlation does not necessarily mean causation, but this started happening after my sons played a few games on R**lox. I used the computer a couple of hours later after they were done, and the mouse cursor was stuck on the blue loading circle for a long time. I had to reboot the computer twice before things seemed to work normally, but then all of the security warnings came up (and continue to).

Any thoughts?

Click to expand...

I'd certainly be alarmed if something like that happened to one of our PCs.

Don't do anything really important, like log in to online banking, etc. on that PC till this is resolved.

If you have a full-disk backup, do what Sky recommends; that's what I'd do.

If not, do what Hosebag suggests. If Malwarebytes (or other antimalware software) appears to clean up the problems, you may be OK.

However, I'm not confident that antimalware software will find and fix every infection, so I would save all my data and program install files to a separate drive and do a clean install of Windows. Then reinstall everything.

Finally, get the kids a PC of their own and don't let them ever touch yours again.

Austinian said:

However, I'm not confident that antimalware software will find and fix every infection, so I would save all my data and program install files to a separate drive and do a clean install of Windows. Then reinstall everything.

Finally, get the kids a PC of their own and don't let them ever touch yours again.

Click to expand...

Bingo!
If, for example, a legitimate remote server and/or client was installed by a Bad Guy over an internet connection to give that person access to the computer, it may very well not be identified as an "infection".

Nuke everything; it's the only way to be sure (with apologies to "Aliens" ).

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels.

Patco said:

Austinian said:

However, I'm not confident that antimalware software will find and fix every infection, so I would save all my data and program install files to a separate drive and do a clean install of Windows. Then reinstall everything.

Finally, get the kids a PC of their own and don't let them ever touch yours again.

Click to expand...

Bingo!
If, for example, a legitimate remote server and/or client was installed by a Bad Guy over an internet connection to give that person access to the computer, it may very well not be identified as an "infection".

Nuke everything; it's the only way to be sure (with apologies to "Aliens" ).

Click to expand...

I'm trying to stay frosty about this...

Thanks for all the input; I'm going to spend the better part of the day working on this. I did install Malwarebytes and 9 "Potentially Unwanted Program" warnings came up. I think the best thing to do (as recommended) is to wipe the whole thing and re-install. some questions though:

- is it likely that my photo and home video files would be affected (or infected) by any malware? I haven't done a backup of some of my photo files for a while. Is it still safe to connect my external storage hdd to transfer those files?

- software licenses: I have a few purchased programs installed; I guess I have to search through my old emails to get the licenses again?

- not meaning to debate, but our boys have been playing the game for a couple of years on a 2012 Macbook Pro with no issues like this. I let them use my computer a couple of times this past week on an "emergency" basis, and then of course this happens. Is there any chance that this is a Windows/PC vs Mac thing? My Bitdfender program was a paid version and offered a suite of features. I guess part of the problem is not knowing if the warnings are critical/malicious or not. It's possible it gave a warning that my son ignored. They are definitely not allowed to use my computer again...

You might try "Spybot", a free download scanner. Also there are a number of free on-line scanners from reliable sources available.

Steve J

Lettermanian said:

Thanks for all the input; I'm going to spend the better part of the day working on this. I did install Malwarebytes and 9 "Potentially Unwanted Program" warnings came up. I think the best thing to do (as recommended) is to wipe the whole thing and re-install. some questions though:

Click to expand...

That's the safest course IMO.

Lettermanian said:

- is it likely that my photo and home video files would be affected (or infected) by any malware? I haven't done a backup of some of my photo files for a while. Is it still safe to connect my external storage hdd to transfer those files?

Click to expand...

Yes, unless part of your malware infection was ransomware that encrypted your data, which from your OP I don't think happened. If you can still read them they should be OK.

Lettermanian said:

- software licenses: I have a few purchased programs installed; I guess I have to search through my old emails to get the licenses again?

- not meaning to debate, but our boys have been playing the game for a couple of years on a 2012 Macbook Pro with no issues like this. I let them use my computer a couple of times this past week on an "emergency" basis, and then of course this happens. Is there any chance that this is a Windows/PC vs Mac thing?

Click to expand...

Sure. Macs are less popular than Windows PCs, so just like other software there's less malware written for them. Malware is usually (but not always) platform-specific.

Lettermanian said:

My Bitdfender program was a paid version and offered a suite of features. I guess part of the problem is not knowing if the warnings are critical/malicious or not. It's possible it gave a warning that my son ignored.

Click to expand...

Quite possible; BD has a good reputation AFAIK, I used to use the free version myself.

Lettermanian said:

They are definitely not allowed to use my computer again...

Click to expand...

A wise decision.

Austinian said:

Lettermanian said:

Thanks for all the input; I'm going to spend the better part of the day working on this. I did install Malwarebytes and 9 "Potentially Unwanted Program" warnings came up. I think the best thing to do (as recommended) is to wipe the whole thing and re-install. some questions though:

Click to expand...

That's the safest course IMO.

Austinian said:

- is it likely that my photo and home video files would be affected (or infected) by any malware? I haven't done a backup of some of my photo files for a while. Is it still safe to connect my external storage hdd to transfer those files?

Click to expand...

Yes, unless part of your malware infection was ransomware that encrypted your data, which from your OP I don't think happened. If you can still read them they should be OK.

Click to expand...

Faststone can read them all. So, I connected my backup drive, and now it is not showing up in file explorer. It does show up when I click on the eject icon, and in Disk Management it shows up, but as a basic disk with nothing on it. It is formatted in ExFat to read on both pc and mac, and has worked previously. I connected to my old macbook and it shows up fine, in ExFat, with all of my files etc readable. I've tried reinstalling drivers etc as per the Win troubleshooter, but it still will not show up in file explorer. Any suggestions?

Austinian said:

Austinian said:

- software licenses: I have a few purchased programs installed; I guess I have to search through my old emails to get the licenses again?

- not meaning to debate, but our boys have been playing the game for a couple of years on a 2012 Macbook Pro with no issues like this. I let them use my computer a couple of times this past week on an "emergency" basis, and then of course this happens. Is there any chance that this is a Windows/PC vs Mac thing?

Click to expand...

Sure. Macs are less popular than Windows PCs, so just like other software there's less malware written for them. Malware is usually (but not always) platform-specific.

Austinian said:

My Bitdfender program was a paid version and offered a suite of features. I guess part of the problem is not knowing if the warnings are critical/malicious or not. It's possible it gave a warning that my son ignored.

Click to expand...

Quite possible; BD has a good reputation AFAIK, I used to use the free version myself.

Austinian said:

They are definitely not allowed to use my computer again...

Click to expand...

A wise decision.

Click to expand...

Lettermanian said:

Austinian said:

Lettermanian said:

Thanks for all the input; I'm going to spend the better part of the day working on this. I did install Malwarebytes and 9 "Potentially Unwanted Program" warnings came up. I think the best thing to do (as recommended) is to wipe the whole thing and re-install. some questions though:

Click to expand...

That's the safest course IMO.

Lettermanian said:

- is it likely that my photo and home video files would be affected (or infected) by any malware? I haven't done a backup of some of my photo files for a while. Is it still safe to connect my external storage hdd to transfer those files?

Click to expand...

Yes, unless part of your malware infection was ransomware that encrypted your data, which from your OP I don't think happened. If you can still read them they should be OK.

Click to expand...

Faststone can read them all. So, I connected my backup drive, and now it is not showing up in file explorer. It does show up when I click on the eject icon, and in Disk Management it shows up, but as a basic disk with nothing on it. It is formatted in ExFat to read on both pc and mac, and has worked previously. I connected to my old macbook and it shows up fine, in ExFat, with all of my files etc readable. I've tried reinstalling drivers etc as per the Win troubleshooter, but it still will not show up in file explorer. Any suggestions?

Click to expand...

If it's connected via SATA, the PC may need a reboot to recognize it; if it's USB-connected, I have no suggestions. I've seldom used ExFat, and I sold my last Mac in 1985.

Lettermanian said:

Austinian said:

Lettermanian said:

Thanks for all the input; I'm going to spend the better part of the day working on this. I did install Malwarebytes and 9 "Potentially Unwanted Program" warnings came up. I think the best thing to do (as recommended) is to wipe the whole thing and re-install. some questions though:

Click to expand...

That's the safest course IMO.

Lettermanian said:

- is it likely that my photo and home video files would be affected (or infected) by any malware? I haven't done a backup of some of my photo files for a while. Is it still safe to connect my external storage hdd to transfer those files?

Click to expand...

Yes, unless part of your malware infection was ransomware that encrypted your data, which from your OP I don't think happened. If you can still read them they should be OK.

Click to expand...

Faststone can read them all. So, I connected my backup drive, and now it is not showing up in file explorer. It does show up when I click on the eject icon, and in Disk Management it shows up, but as a basic disk with nothing on it. It is formatted in ExFat to read on both pc and mac, and has worked previously. I connected to my old macbook and it shows up fine, in ExFat, with all of my files etc readable. I've tried reinstalling drivers etc as per the Win troubleshooter, but it still will not show up in file explorer. Any suggestions?

Lettermanian said:

Lettermanian said:

- software licenses: I have a few purchased programs installed; I guess I have to search through my old emails to get the licenses again?

- not meaning to debate, but our boys have been playing the game for a couple of years on a 2012 Macbook Pro with no issues like this. I let them use my computer a couple of times this past week on an "emergency" basis, and then of course this happens. Is there any chance that this is a Windows/PC vs Mac thing?

Click to expand...

Sure. Macs are less popular than Windows PCs, so just like other software there's less malware written for them. Malware is usually (but not always) platform-specific.

Lettermanian said:

My Bitdfender program was a paid version and offered a suite of features. I guess part of the problem is not knowing if the warnings are critical/malicious or not. It's possible it gave a warning that my son ignored.

Click to expand...

Quite possible; BD has a good reputation AFAIK, I used to use the free version myself.

Lettermanian said:

They are definitely not allowed to use my computer again...

Click to expand...

A wise decision.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Try to assign a letter Z manually in Disk Management.

Sagittarius said:

Lettermanian said:

Austinian said:

Lettermanian said:

Thanks for all the input; I'm going to spend the better part of the day working on this. I did install Malwarebytes and 9 "Potentially Unwanted Program" warnings came up. I think the best thing to do (as recommended) is to wipe the whole thing and re-install. some questions though:

Click to expand...

That's the safest course IMO.

Sagittarius said:

- is it likely that my photo and home video files would be affected (or infected) by any malware? I haven't done a backup of some of my photo files for a while. Is it still safe to connect my external storage hdd to transfer those files?

Click to expand...

Yes, unless part of your malware infection was ransomware that encrypted your data, which from your OP I don't think happened. If you can still read them they should be OK.

Click to expand...

Faststone can read them all. So, I connected my backup drive, and now it is not showing up in file explorer. It does show up when I click on the eject icon, and in Disk Management it shows up, but as a basic disk with nothing on it. It is formatted in ExFat to read on both pc and mac, and has worked previously. I connected to my old macbook and it shows up fine, in ExFat, with all of my files etc readable. I've tried reinstalling drivers etc as per the Win troubleshooter, but it still will not show up in file explorer. Any suggestions?

Sagittarius said:

Sagittarius said:

- software licenses: I have a few purchased programs installed; I guess I have to search through my old emails to get the licenses again?

- not meaning to debate, but our boys have been playing the game for a couple of years on a 2012 Macbook Pro with no issues like this. I let them use my computer a couple of times this past week on an "emergency" basis, and then of course this happens. Is there any chance that this is a Windows/PC vs Mac thing?

Click to expand...

Sure. Macs are less popular than Windows PCs, so just like other software there's less malware written for them. Malware is usually (but not always) platform-specific.

Sagittarius said:

My Bitdfender program was a paid version and offered a suite of features. I guess part of the problem is not knowing if the warnings are critical/malicious or not. It's possible it gave a warning that my son ignored.

Click to expand...

Quite possible; BD has a good reputation AFAIK, I used to use the free version myself.

Sagittarius said:

They are definitely not allowed to use my computer again...

Click to expand...

A wise decision.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Try to assign a letter Z manually in Disk Management.

Click to expand...

You my friend, are a wizard Thank you, that worked; I can now see everything on the drive. That just ended two hours of frustration...

Austinian said:

I'd certainly be alarmed if something like that happened to one of our PCs.

Don't do anything really important, like log in to online banking, etc. on that PC till this is resolved.

If you have a full-disk backup, do what Sky recommends; that's what I'd do.

If not, do what Hosebag suggests. If Malwarebytes (or other antimalware software) appears to clean up the problems, you may be OK.

However, I'm not confident that antimalware software will find and fix every infection, so I would save all my data and program install files to a separate drive and do a clean install of Windows. Then reinstall everything.

Finally, get the kids a PC of their own and don't let them ever touch yours again.

Click to expand...

Ha, ha, ha, ha. ...... still LOL about your last sentence.

I never allow our grandchildren to touch my tower or current laptop PCs. I do have an older laptop PC that I let them use.

Sky

skyglider said:

Austinian said:

I'd certainly be alarmed if something like that happened to one of our PCs.

Don't do anything really important, like log in to online banking, etc. on that PC till this is resolved.

If you have a full-disk backup, do what Sky recommends; that's what I'd do.

If not, do what Hosebag suggests. If Malwarebytes (or other antimalware software) appears to clean up the problems, you may be OK.

However, I'm not confident that antimalware software will find and fix every infection, so I would save all my data and program install files to a separate drive and do a clean install of Windows. Then reinstall everything.

Finally, get the kids a PC of their own and don't let them ever touch yours again.

Click to expand...

Ha, ha, ha, ha. ...... still LOL about your last sentence.

I never allow our grandchildren to touch my tower or current laptop PCs. I do have an older laptop PC that I let them use.

Sky

Click to expand...

Right. We have a spare PC with a minimal software load for guests to use. Some adults I've known are no more careful with a PC than any kid could be, and can pick up a malware infection or three with amazing speed.

Austinian said:

skyglider said:

Austinian said:

I'd certainly be alarmed if something like that happened to one of our PCs.

Don't do anything really important, like log in to online banking, etc. on that PC till this is resolved.

If you have a full-disk backup, do what Sky recommends; that's what I'd do.

If not, do what Hosebag suggests. If Malwarebytes (or other antimalware software) appears to clean up the problems, you may be OK.

However, I'm not confident that antimalware software will find and fix every infection, so I would save all my data and program install files to a separate drive and do a clean install of Windows. Then reinstall everything.

Finally, get the kids a PC of their own and don't let them ever touch yours again.

Click to expand...

Ha, ha, ha, ha. ...... still LOL about your last sentence.

I never allow our grandchildren to touch my tower or current laptop PCs. I do have an older laptop PC that I let them use.

Sky

Click to expand...

Right. We have a spare PC with a minimal software load for guests to use. Some adults I've known are no more careful with a PC than any kid could be, and can pick up a malware infection or three with amazing speed.

Click to expand...

I have a family member (adult) that can get a Windows computer infected faster than anyone I know. He pretty much only uses his computer for surfing (hence, clicks on anything that pops up). So I installed Linux on his computer and he hasn't crashed it (yet) in more than two years. I consider him my Linux "crash test dummy". I'm still waiting to see how he can manage to kill the OS by surfing the web. I'm sure he'll come up with something.

nail33 said:

I have a family member (adult) that can get a Windows computer infected faster than anyone I know. He pretty much only uses his computer for surfing (hence, clicks on anything that pops up). So I installed Linux on his computer and he hasn't crashed it (yet) in more than two years. I consider him my Linux "crash test dummy". I'm still waiting to see how he can manage to kill the OS by surfing the web. I'm sure he'll come up with something.

Click to expand...

What browser did you set him up with?

It is just as easy to infect a specific browser on Linux as on Windows. However (due to low traffic volume?) consumer malware is not designed to spill over into Linux.

It's always fun to take a look at the HTTP logs on Linux. Lots of attempts to access non-existent files that exist only on Windows.

nail33 said:

Austinian said:

Right. We have a spare PC with a minimal software load for guests to use. Some adults I've known are no more careful with a PC than any kid could be, and can pick up a malware infection or three with amazing speed.

Click to expand...

I have a family member (adult) that can get a Windows computer infected faster than anyone I know. He pretty much only uses his computer for surfing (hence, clicks on anything that pops up). So I installed Linux on his computer and he hasn't crashed it (yet) in more than two years. I consider him my Linux "crash test dummy". I'm still waiting to see how he can manage to kill the OS by surfing the web. I'm sure he'll come up with something.

Click to expand...

Maybe. Desktop Linux seems to be pretty secure; most (but not all) of the major Linux vulns I've read about were mainly server-oriented, since it's widely used in that role.

Linux is an excellent solution for a user who doesn't need to run Windows software and has someone knowledgeable for support.

Before the Windows Sandbox arrived, I used a Kubuntu VirtualBox VM on my primary desktop drive for safer browsing and email. The only problem I had was that kernel updates sometimes required reconfiguring the Guest Additions.

A brief update: I did run Malwarebytes free program as well as several manual scans with my Bitdefender suite. I then ran Bitdefender's disk clean up and optimization programs, and I haven't had a warning pop up all day today, with fairly regular usage. I'll run it like this through the day tomorrow to see how things go. Thanks again for all the input