Computer virus warning

This virus has hit Windhoek and a number of places throughout the region. Simplest remedy? Invest in a good anti-virus package and KEEP IT UP TO DATE!

The 'FLU BURUNG' virus runs in stages. At first the 'flu' copies MS Word documents and changes the extensions to '.scr' and hides the original file - the visible effects. Then in the second stage, the 'flu' keeps on opening a Note Pad file with the name Flu Burung and it also freezes your mouse. The third stage is that it logs you out of your PC - It presents you with the welcome screen and when you click the icon to login, it just logs you out again. 'Selva K' gave a solution that works. It is however very important to also install the firewall and not to be connected to the internet when you scan and repair your files. This will prevent the virus from reaching the third stage. The virus works in stages: when you try to fix the first stage, the virus connects to the internet and implements the second stage. When you try to fix this stage, the virus connects to the internet and implements the third stage. I obviously know this because I've been through it myself, but only found the full answer on my second try. My question however is now 'How do I fix the login/logout problem that I got with my first try?'.




Press "CTRL + ALT + DEL"

Look for the process "SVCHOST.EXE" in CAPS only and end the process.

This should unlock the mouse.

The folowing information comes from Symantec. Symantec and myself cannot be held liable for the following information IF any problems accor.

The following instructions pertain to all current and recent Symantec antivirus products, including the Symantec AntiVirus and Norton AntiVirus product lines.

1. Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
2. Update the virus definitions.
3. Run a full system scan.
4. Delete any values added to the registry.

For specific details on each of these steps, read the following instructions.

1. To disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP)
If you are running Windows Me or Windows XP, we recommend that you temporarily turn off System Restore. Windows Me/XP uses this feature, which is enabled by default, to restore the files on your computer in case they become damaged. If a virus, worm, or Trojan infects a computer, System Restore may back up the virus, worm, or Trojan on the computer.

Windows prevents outside programs, including antivirus programs, from modifying System Restore. Therefore, antivirus programs or tools cannot remove threats in the System Restore folder. As a result, System Restore has the potential of restoring an infected file on your computer, even after you have cleaned the infected files from all the other locations.

Also, a virus scan may detect a threat in the System Restore folder even though you have removed the threat.

For instructions on how to turn off System Restore, read your Windows documentation, or one of the following articles:

* How to disable or enable Windows Me System Restore
* How to turn off or turn on Windows XP System Restore


Note: When you are completely finished with the removal procedure and are satisfied that the threat has been removed, reenable System Restore by following the instructions in the aforementioned documents.

For additional information, and an alternative to disabling Windows Me System Restore, see the Microsoft Knowledge Base article: Antivirus Tools Cannot Clean Infected Files in the _Restore Folder (Article ID: Q263455).

2. To update the virus definitions
Symantec Security Response fully tests all the virus definitions for quality assurance before they are posted to our servers. There are two ways to obtain the most recent virus definitions:

* Running LiveUpdate, which is the easiest way to obtain virus definitions:
o If you use Norton AntiVirus 2006, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 10.0, or newer products, LiveUpdate definitions are updated daily. These products include newer technology.
o If you use Norton AntiVirus 2005, Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition 9.0, or earlier products, LiveUpdate definitions are updated weekly. The exception is major outbreaks, when definitions are updated more often.
* Downloading the definitions using the Intelligent Updater: The Intelligent Updater virus definitions are posted daily. You should download the definitions from the Symantec Security Response Web site and manually install them. To determine whether definitions for this threat are available by the Intelligent Updater, refer to Virus Definitions (Intelligent Updater).

The latest Intelligent Updater virus definitions can be obtained here: Intelligent Updater virus definitions. For detailed instructions read the document: How to update virus definition files using the Intelligent Updater.


3. To run a full system scan

1. Start your Symantec antivirus program and make sure that it is configured to scan all the files.
* For Norton AntiVirus consumer products: Read the document: How to configure Norton AntiVirus to scan all files.
* For Symantec AntiVirus Enterprise products: Read the document: How to verify that a Symantec Corporate antivirus product is set to scan all files.
2. Run a full system scan.
3. If any files are detected, follow the instructions displayed by your antivirus program.


Important: If you are unable to start your Symantec antivirus product or the product reports that it cannot delete a detected file, you may need to stop the risk from running in order to remove it. To do this, run the scan in Safe mode. For instructions, read the document, How to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once you have restarted in Safe mode, run the scan again.

After the files are deleted, restart the computer in Normal mode and proceed with the next section.

Warning messages may be displayed when the computer is restarted, since the threat may not be fully removed at this point. You can ignore these messages and click OK. These messages will not appear when the computer is restarted after the removal instructions have been fully completed. The messages displayed may be similar to the following:

Title: [FILE PATH]
Message body: Windows cannot find [FILE NAME]. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search.


4. To delete the value from the registry
Important: Symantec strongly recommends that you back up the registry before making any changes to it. Incorrect changes to the registry can result in permanent data loss or corrupted files. Modify the specified subkeys only. For instructions refer to the document: How to make a backup of the Windows registry.

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type regedit
3. Click OK.

Note: If the registry editor fails to open the threat may have modified the registry to prevent access to the registry editor. Security Response has developed a tool to resolve this problem. Download and run this tool, and then continue with the removal.

4. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document.8\Defaul...

5. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"(Default)" = "%Windir%\Installer\{90110409-6000-11D3-...

6. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wi... NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

7. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"Userinit" = "%System%\userinit.exe"

8. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Win... NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

9. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"Shell" = "explorer.exe, C:\recycled\SVCHOST.exe"

10. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wi...

11. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"UncheckedValue" = "0x00000001"

12. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wi...

13. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"UncheckedValue" = "0x00000000"

14. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\scrf...

15. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"(Default)" = "Microsoft Word Document"

16. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\scrfile\shell\open

17. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"(Default)" = ""

18. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*

19. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"QuickTip" = "prop:Type;Size"
"TileInfo" = "prop:Type;Size"
"InfoTip" = "prop:Type;Write;Size"

20. Navigate to the subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wi...

21. In the right pane, reset the value to the default value:

"WORDFiles" = "0x35170001"

22. Exit the Registry Editor.

Solution courtesy of Symantec Inc.