There's a huge trojan in my comp and i have a plan. will it work?

[ott615]

I downloaded a fake flash installer and ran it, causing a trojan to infect my comp. It isn't some file i can delete or anything like that. It won't let me log into my comp so i am typing in safe mode ( w xp). So heres my plan
1) install ubuntu and put it on a mem. stick.
2)put all the important files on my psp.
3) format my hard drives
4)install ubuntu
5)live happily ever after.
The question is: can I boot ubuntu setub from a mp3 player or a memory stick when there's no os?

 

[HassEsser]

Yea, you can. As long as you have a motherboard/BIOS (which you do) you can always boot into something.

But, um, I'm not sure how well your plan would work out. Why not boot info safe mode, and delete the virus? I've done it plenty of times.

 

[Uzbekistan]

Why are you even on here then?!?

To be serious, it sounds like it could work, but then again what the hell do I know?

It sounds like your computer could explode or the trojan still be on ubuntu or space monkeys kill your great grand children in the past.

 

[DracoSuave]

Yeah if you can get into safe mode, you can log into your computer. Find it, destroy it. If you can't do that, you shouldn't be doing messing with Linux.

 

[Arif_Sohaib]

After you install Ubuntu on the Flash Drive, also install an Antivirus on it(I recommend Avast or AVG as they are free and have been quite reliable for me). This is because your important files might also be infected so you have to scan them before transferring them to the Flash Drive, Avast might also be able to clean those files.
So, other than the addition of an Antivirus, your plan is completely fine. I am speaking from experience as I have done the same thing with Windows 7. Also, it isn't necessary but I would also recommend installing ZoneAlarlm Firewall after you install Ubuntu on the Hard Disk(not on the Flash Drive).

 

[Esotera]

Yes, you could. But instead of Ubuntu try something with a decent interface like Linux mint (assuming you're going to be using linux permanently after this). The risk of viruses & malware is very low, and most linux distros are very user-friendly these days. If there any issues then there's a linux user group here, and there are also lots of online forums if you have questions...reading them is the best way to learn about your new OS.

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

You can boot into Ubuntu then use a virus scanner to find the trojan and delete it without messing your windows install. Then get some anti virus on your computer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h3q5ss40oY

This video should help. Good luck.

 

[ElPatron]

Let me just say though, if you are (forgive me for being so frank) inept or careless enough to download a trojan when you were trying to install Adobe Flash, you probably shouldnt be fucking around with Linux.

Haters gonna hate.

I got the same comments from some "uber linux elitists" and my "stupid" brain used to almost a decade of Windows got the hang on Linux on a few hours. I'm not saying you are an elitist for having that opinion, I just think that saying linux is hard is an overstatement.

 

[vrbtny]

Let me just say though, if you are (forgive me for being so frank) inept or careless enough to download a trojan when you were trying to install Adobe Flash, you probably shouldnt be fucking around with Linux.

Haters gonna hate.

I got the same comments from some "uber linux elitists" and my "stupid" brain used to almost a decade of Windows got the hang on Linux on a few hours. I'm not saying you are an elitist for having that opinion, I just think that saying linux is hard is an overstatement.

A 12-year old kid I know installs Linux on a monthly basis because he's trying out all the various distro's. His only comment about doing it is that "All bloody Linux distro's are the same, except the wallpaper and the start menu!"

 

[Robert Ewing]

It will work, but whats wrong with safe mode? Did the virus spread there too? Or?

 

[DracoSuave]

Let me just say though, if you are (forgive me for being so frank) inept or careless enough to download a trojan when you were trying to install Adobe Flash, you probably shouldnt be fucking around with Linux.

Haters gonna hate.

I got the same comments from some "uber linux elitists" and my "stupid" brain used to almost a decade of Windows got the hang on Linux on a few hours. I'm not saying you are an elitist for having that opinion, I just think that saying linux is hard is an overstatement.

The point isn't if Linux is hard... it isn't.

Neither's installing Adobe Flash and look how that turned out.

 

[gabe12301]

I downloaded a fake flash installer and ran it, causing a trojan to infect my comp. It isn't some file i can delete or anything like that. It won't let me log into my comp so i am typing in safe mode ( w xp). So heres my plan
1) install ubuntu and put it on a mem. stick.
2)put all the important files on my psp.
3) format my hard drives
4)install ubuntu
5)live happily ever after.
The question is: can I boot ubuntu setub from a mp3 player or a memory stick when there's no os?

Why not just use free version of malware bytes (the free version does almost everything the full version does so don't bother buying it.)? You can install it in safemode from a USB.

Then you can enjoy both your fixed XP and linux unbuntu via dual booting.

 

[ElPatron]

The point isn't if Linux is hard... it isn't.

Neither's installing Adobe Flash and look how that turned out.

There is a difference between learning a new word and switching from UK English to American English.

 

[cthulhumythos]

i was hoping you were going to do a trojan horse joke, but alright.

tbh i don't know. maybe?

 

[brainslurper]

Depends how long the virus is in there. It is possible that the files you transfer to your newly erased hard drive could contain a duplicate of the virus, so I would recommend scanning those under quarantine just to be sure. Or better yet, buy a mac.