Emergency!

[Cartman89]

My computer has detected Trojan horse virus. I have a anit virus that is scanning now. How do I get rid of it? Do I put it in the quarantine????? I'm confuse I just want it deleted not quarantine so what do I do?????? HELP

[billyr98]

A Trojan horse program is a malicious program that pretends to be a benign application; a Trojan horse program purposefully does something the user does not expect. Trojans are not viruses since they do not replicate, but Trojan horse programs can be just as destructive.

Many people use the term to refer only to non-replicating malicious programs, thus making a distinction between Trojans and viruses.

Here are your many options, none of them are perfect. I strongly suggest you read through all of them before rushing out and trying to run some program blindly. Remember - that's how you got in this trouble in the first place. Good luck!

1.

Clean Re-installation: Although arduous, this will always be the only sure way to eradicate a trojan or virus. Back up your entire hard disk, reformat the disk, re-install the operating system and all your applications from original CDs, and finally, if you're certain they are not infected, restore your user files from the backup. If you are not up to the task, you can pay for a professional repair service to do it.
2.

Anti-Virus Software: Some of these can handle most of the well known trojans, but none are perfect, no matter what their advertising claims. You absolutely MUST make sure you have the very latest update files for your programs, or else they will miss the latest trojans. Compared to traditional viruses, today's trojans evolve much quicker and come in many seemingly innocuous forms, so anti-virus software is always going to be playing catch up. Also, if they fail to find every trojan, anti-virus software can give you a false sense of security, such that you go about your business not realizing that you are still dangerously compromised. There are many products to choose from, but the following are generally effective: AVP, PC-cillin, and McAfee VirusScan. All are available for immediate downloading typically with a 30 day free trial. For a more complete review of all major anti-virus programs, including specific configuration suggestions for each, see the HackFix Project's anti-virus software page [all are ext. links]. When you are done, make sure you've updated Windows with all security patches [ext. link].
3.

Anti-Trojan Programs: These programs are the most effective against trojan horse attacks, because they specialize in trojans instead of general viruses. A popular choice is The Cleaner, $30 commercial software with a 30 day free trial. To use it effectively, you must follow hackfix.org's configuration suggestions [ext. link]. When you are done, make sure you've updated Windows with all security patches [ext. link], then change all your passwords because they may have been seen by every "hacker" in the world.
4.

IRC Help Channels: If you're the type that needs some hand-holding, you can find trojan/virus removal help on IRC itself, such as EFnet #dmsetup or DALnet #NoHack. These experts will try to figure out which trojan(s) you have and offer you advice on how to fix it. The previous directions were in fact adapted from advice given by EFnet #dmsetup. (See our networks page if you need help connecting to those networks.)

[mps9506]

What did it detect? Usually a google for the trojan will bring up a good fix. If nothing else I do like Billy said back up whatever you don't want to lose (ie pics, word files etc) and do a format and reinstall.

[Gina]

If it is a common trojan you may be able to find a removal to at the Symantec Removal Tools page. These work pretty well.

[Cartman89]

The trojan is called "Trojan Horse Generic. WBD"

[BoomerD]

Don't find that particular trojan horse listed. Here's Symantec's list of removal tools:
http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoff...movaltools.jsp
and their page that offers a free scan.
http://symantec.com/techsupp/home_ho...dex_virus.html
Also, here's a free scanner that looks for the most common viruses:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
and McAfee's free scan as well:
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp