My cpmputer has suddenly been infected by some kind of virus (Win32.xg), or addware, or whatever, that insist that I should DL a program from this site to clean up my computer: http://pcsafetysupply.com/remove_spyware.php?affid=7v5ep 
When I do though, AVGH insist that it's a Trojan HOrse.  In the meantime, I've go this wallpaper warning that my computer is infected, and spybot constantly running to correct it, but it seems to elude al these efforts.

Does anybody know anything about any of this?
DPH

You should never download any programs that a pop up tells you to download.  It is false and a scam to get you to install thier virus for them =D

edited,
I suggested for you to run avg and spybot but I misread and see you've done that already

Use Avast Free Edition AV to clean up your system.

It worked for me when I had that.

Go to Majorgeeks.com, download spybot search and destroy and Ad-Ware2007. And if they don't work try this link http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic131457.html

Download and run cureit

http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/

It will delete spyware, virus and trojan horses.

If you use the free version you will have to download a new version each time you want to run it because the free version doesn't auto update.

Quote - My cpmputer has suddenly been infected by some kind of virus (Win32.xg), or addware, or whatever, that insist that I should DL a program from this site to clean up my computer: http://pcsafetysupply.com/remove_spyware.php?affid=7v5ep 
When I do though, AVGH insist that it's a Trojan HOrse.  In the meantime, I've go this wallpaper warning that my computer is infected, and spybot constantly running to correct it, but it seems to elude al these efforts.

Does anybody know anything about any of this?
DPH

If I were you, I'd go here:

Spybot Forums - http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22 

or

Hijackthis Forums - http://forums.whatthetech.com/forums.html

(Hijackthis Quickstart guide- http://www.whatthetech.com/hijackthis/)

Basically, it's a specialized help forum.  You'll need to download "Hijackthis" which is a system evaluation and recovery tool.  You'll post the log file from that program and get customized help.

A few things to remember:

You will probably need to turn off your System Restore feature if you're running WinXP.  That way, it will be more difficult for a virus/trojan to restore itself after it has been cleaned.

You need some sort of firewall protection that is worth something.  WinXP Firewall really isn't effective.  I suggest downloading and installing ZoneAlarm (free version) at least.  That should help you somewhat.

Free security programs:

ZoneAlarm (Personal Firewall) - http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/home.jsp
Spybot Search and Destroy (Spyware/hijacker/Adware/limited virus software) - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
AdAware (spyware/hijacker/adware/limited anti-virus) - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
AVG-AntiVirus - (AntiVirus software) - http://free.grisoft.com/

Free Online Virus Scanners - These can help you determine if your problem is a known virus/hijacker/trojan/adbot/etc (Note - Some of these require an install of a small bit of software used to help them scan your system.)

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

Hijackthis Quickstart guide- http://www.whatthetech.com/hijackthis/
Hijackthis Forums - http://forums.whatthetech.com/forums.html

Understand that I am linking the easier to use and more novice friendly bits of freeware out there.  There are many available.  However, check with someone or check various security forums before you download and install ANYTHING claiming to be a free security program. I can vouch for the above but you don't have to take my word for it.

Remember, when you are online you have a responsibility to arm yourself with the knowledge necessary to be safe.  The most dangerous thing on your computer is you.  No offense intended.  The "internetz" can be a very dangerous place.  Once you get your system cleaned up, take some time reading online on various security sites, make sure you have a good firewall program and anti-virus program.  I'd also recommend either Spybot or AdAware as backups for pesky adware, trojan, hijacker removal as they're both free.

Good luck! Best wishes.

You may know some of this, but some might not, and even if you do, it's good refresher.

An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens of people in the victim's e-mail address book. Some e-mail viruses don't even require a double-click -- they launch when you view the infected message in the preview pane of your e-mail software.

An excellent way to put yourself at risk for a virus is to send "forward" emails. Why? Well, let's say that you received an email from someone who had sent it to 20 people. She not only sent the email to 20 people, but she also sent your email address to them too. Now if each of those 20 people clicked "FORWARD" and sent that email off to 20 people each, that means your email was sent off to a whopping 400 strangers all within seconds.

Many people do not delete their sent or deleted emails, which means that emails remain within your email program and on your computer. Also, some have their emails set to add email address from received emails, to their address book automatically.

All it takes is one infected computer in that chain of forwarded emails to be infected. The virus on the infected computer looks to the sent, deleted, draft and address book for email address and "spoofs" an email and sends it out automatically without the person even being aware of it being done.  And just because a virus containing email arrives from someone you know, it doesn't mean that it came from that person's computer. Any computer in the infected chain that has her email addres on it, could be the culprit.

Here is some excellent advice on how to protect your computer:

It's not only important to run anti spyware programs regularly, but it's important to take measures to protect yourself from getting such stuff to begin with.

Some browsers are more prone to attracting malware than others. Internet Explorer is terrible for getting hit with malware type stuff. I use Mozilla-Firefox. Most if not all browsers and firewalls come with features that block ads and popups, it's important to learn how to use those features so that you are preventing those types of things from even reaching your computer.

The things I do to keep my computer safely protected:

1. Up-to-date AntiVirus program;

2. Up-to-date Firewall program;

3. I connect to a router;

4. I use Mozilla-Firefox and extensions https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...cation=firefox

5. I block all internet ads with Mozilla-Firefox extensions and my Firewall;

6. I run Lavasoft Adaware daily;

7. I download and run Dr Web's Cureit once a week. Note: If you do not buy the program you need to download a new updated version of the free one each time you want to run it;

8. I run ccleaner every day;

9. I virus scan once a week;

10. I do not turn on "preview pane" in Outlook Express. Previewing emails is like opening them up. How to disable preview pane

11. I never, ever, ever open an email from anyone that I am not expecting one from. Even if I know the person. I'm not only talking about the attachments, but the email itself too. While some attachments have a virus/worm/trojan, it's also possible to embed a 1 pixel transparent gif file into a mailing that activates when you open the email and proceeds to send back data to the sender.

12. I delete ALL forwarded emails. Then send an email to the sender and tell them to opt me out of any future forward emails and tell them what I told you above about how sending forward emails puts everyone at risk for computer viruses.

13. I also use a startup manager with my Windows XP so that I can see what is running in the background and I turn off everything that I don't want to run, and investigate things I see running that shouldn't be there.

14. Never download free screensavers and fun looking toolbars!!!! They are filled with malicious spyware.

15. I delete cookies and online and offline content and temporary internet files. Never save banking or password or any sensitive information cookies on your computer.

In the more than 7 years since I've been on the intenet I've never had a virus. The closest I came was some malware that was apparently sending out thousands of emails that I didn't know about. I eventually found out when I called my ISP to find out why I couldn't send or retrieve my email and they told me that they turned off my privileges! I did all kinds of scans at a variety of links they gave me, and the only thing that showed up on my system was some adware, some of which apparently was the problem. Once I got rid of that stuff, my ISP turned my email privileges back on again.

I also know so many who have had computer crashes and have had to reformat their systems because of spyware/adware/malware.

People may think it's no big deal, but when you have been affected by it like I have, or know so many others who have lost everything because of it, you begin to realize how extremely important it is to be vigilent with keeping that stuff out of your computer.

If you absolutely need to send an email to more than one person at a time IE: dinner invitation, then be courteous and use BCC for the 2nd and subsequent recipients. BCC stands for "Blind Carbon Copy", which means that the email addresses will not show up on other peoples' computers because it's hidden.

How to send BCC emails using Outlook Express:

Instructions for sending BCC emails using a variety of email clients

Unfortunately for those being spammed with emails containing viruses and worms, there is no relief until the person who's computer is infected does a virus scan and gets rid of the offending virus/worm.

What I do if I get such email is to send an email to every single person in my address book using "BCC" protocol. In the email I tell them that someone that has my email address on their computer has a virus and ask them to do a virus scan. I also ask them to create a new email and send BCC to everyone in their address book asking them to do the same and I give them links to instructions on how to do BCC emails.

Good advice Acadia!

I'd also recommend disabling html for all emails if you're using Outlook express.  I'd also recommend setting up an online account separate from your ISP's email account using either Hotmail or Gmail.  (I'm anti-yahoo but that works too, I guess..)  This way, you can control your identity a bit better and, for instance, limit your exposure by joining net forums and such with your online web-email account instead of your personal ISP/Provider's account.  By separating your email idents, you ensure that only the more trusted sites and people get your "real" email address and you'll cut down on spam to your "real" account.

Of course, this doesn't stop mass mailed viruses.  But, it makes them somewhat easier to deal with.  Also, web-email providers scan attachments and disable html and scripting by default.  Having all your spam, product announcements, free offers from member sites and the like all going to your webmail (anon) accounts is a great help. Oh, that's another thing... attachments.

Think about it.. There is absolutely no reason for you to open or even click on any attachment you get from anyone/anywhere you don't know.  Even if the email addy is spoofed and it appears that your bank is sending you an attachment... why would they?  Seriously?  So, never open/click on any email attachments unless you are sure it is authentic/expected or you have confirmed it directly with the party that was supposed to have sent it.

Failing to protect yourself adequately against emailed viruses while clicking away at every attachment and email you get is like opening your front door and begging everyone you see to come into your house and do whatever they want.

 Mac OSX.

Right....lol

whenever I hear hackers say they're writing viruses to prove how vulnerable my system is, I'm tempted to go by their apartments and set fire to prove how flammable they are...;)

""whenever I hear hackers say they're writing viruses to prove how vulnerable my system is, I'm tempted to go by their apartments and set fire to prove how flammable they are...;)""

LMAO

Honestly from experience, get Spyware Doctor and run it with your computer in safe mode and then again in regular. 

If you use Hyjackthis and some of the others(wich I did) you'll end up searching for what files names are in your system32 folder on the net for more information and possibly where your registry might get infected again without good protection in the first place. Good luck!

Or should I say happy hunting?

Quote -

Quite right. Find out where the spammers/script kiddies live, and send this guy over. Tell him they have anal termites...

Why does pro.corbis.com keep trying to set a cookie every time I open this thread?

Coldrake

Because orange-jumpsuit-exterminator-guy is hotlinked from there, that's why...

Quote -  Mac OSX.

I'll second that... :)