Winfixer randomly poped up on my computer today and I need a simple yet affectve way to get rid of it. I have McAfee and it suggested to remove it by using the cotroll pannel. But, it seems to simple…will that work? Or should I try something else??
Filed under: Windows Repair Software
use this instructions to get rid of this crap:
I highly recommend trying out CounterSpy (http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Home-Home-Office/CounterSpy/) — it has a full-featured 15 day trial where it will scan, detect, and remove spyware. Most other anti-spyware programs will scan and detect, but not remove until you pay for them.
I’ve had CounterSpy successfully remove Winfixer from client computers in the past.
…..
I also recommend that you install SpyBot Search & Destroy from http://www.spybot.info/. This is an excellent anti-spyware program, but it requires that you click the "update" button and then the "scan" button — it doesn’t offer automated scanning like anti-virus programs that run in the background.
…..
If you are running Windows XP, you can get Windows Defender from http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx — it’s free and a pretty good anti-spyware program that runs automatically in the background. If you have Windows Vista, it will be installed automatically.
…..
The best advice I can give for avoiding malware and other bad stuff while browsing the internet is to use a different browser. Internet Explorer is well-known for it’s security holes and exploits, and is frequently exploited by malware authors to infect users computers.
An excellent, free alternative is Firefox, which can be obtained from http://www.getfirefox.com/ . For some things, like Windows Updates, you will need to use Internet Explorer, but for almost all web browsing, Firefox is most excellent. I’ve used it exclusively for several years, and have been highly satisfied.
Well it’s a piece of Spyware according to my Google search and from my similar experience you’ll be able to get rid of it with a little work. My experience is that the "quick" fixes don’t work so you might just as well do it "long hand" as my following instructions outline.
Give this a shot; it normally will remove just about any problem file or software.
Click once on the very top directory in the left hand pane to hilite it.
Hold down Ctrl + F; this will open a search window
Type in “WINFIXER 2005” and then click on Find Next
When it finds a “WINFIXER 2005” entry, right click on it and select Delete and YES. (Do this whether it is a folder in the left hand pane or if it is an entry in the right hand pane)
Hold down Ctrl + F again and repeat the process until you have cleaned your registry of all “WINFIXER 2005” items.
This is a bit of a tedious process so hang in there.
When you think you have it all out. Go back up to the top directory in the left pane, hilite it, and search for “WINFIXER 2005” once again just to make sure you didn’t miss any instances of it.
Once you have completely removed all instances of Winfixer 2005 from the Registry, reboot your PC. This will reset the registry without all the “WINFIXER 2005” entries and you should be rid of your problem.
Hope this helps.
If the control panel removal does not work, you may be having a virus or spyware installed on your PC. Norton, AVG , Avast are free antivirus software. Ad-aware, Ewido are free spyware removers. You can download free softwares at http://fixit.in/antivirus.html and http://fixit.in/spywareremover.html
The FIRST thing to do is DISABLE System Restore.
If enabled, this allows malware to hide in the computer and re-install itself. To disable it, RIGHT-click on "My Computer." Select "Properties" then under the ‘System Restore’ tab, check ‘Turn off system restore’ IF not already checked.
The next most helpful things that would help you are to use ONLINE scanners from websites to remove any malware on your PC. The current best online scanners I prefer are from Kaspersky antivirus and Bitdefender antivirus. Together, these 2 scanners will find ALL the bad stuff on your PC because they have the BEST detection rate.
First, use Kaspersky’s. (FYI: ALL these scans require you to agree to a EULA and install an activex control which is needed to perform the scan, so agree to them all.)
*NOTE: Some scanners ONLY work with IE or may not fully remove malware
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
Then scan with:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
There are MANY other good online scanners which you may choose to also use (which will take longer but ensure safety):
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm (Windows Live Onecare)
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/ax/ (A-squared scanner)
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/ (ewido)
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/pest/scan.aspx (Spyware scan)
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx (Virus scan)
http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/ (Panda Antivirus)
http://www.housecall.trendmicro.com/ (TrendMicro)
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/ (Nod32)
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml (F-secure)
After using these, it’s ESSENTIAL to install at least 3 antispywares. Do NOT use more than 1 antiVIRUS or firewall as they conflict.
The best things in life are FREE, and great free software can be found @:
Superantispyware.com (Superantispyware FREE)
lavasoft.com (Ad-aware SE)
emsisoft.com (A-squared FREE)
safer-networking.org (Spybot S&D)
javacoolsoftware.com (SpywareBlaster)
microsoft.com (Windows Defender)
free-av.com (Avira AV)
siteadvisor.com (Tells you how safe websites are)
phoenixlabs.org (Blocks malware, government, anti-p2p org’s)
zonealarm.com (Top Notch Firewall)
comodo.com (Another Top Notch firewall)
iobit.com (Advanced Windows Care)
Eusing.com (Registry cleaner)
ccleaner.com (Junk file cleaner)
Now if you can afford it, the best software to BUY are:
Spy Sweeper (VERY much worth the $$$)
Security Task Manager
Norton Internet Security
Kaspersky (BEST! =D )
Bitdefender (2nd BEst!)
F-secure (Same as Kaspersky)
Linkscanner (Blocks exploits in real time)
Advanced Uninstaller
If there’s ever ONE file you suspect is infected, you can try some single file scanners which use MULTIPLE engines to scan ONE file.
They are @ virusscan.jotti.org or virustotal.com
If you’re PC is squeaky clean, re-enable system restore because it IS good to have but we needed to shut it off to wipe out the malware.
Just RIGHT-click on "My Computer." Select "Properties" then under the ‘System Restore’ tab, UN-check "Turn off system restore."
*Another thing to consider is using another browser besides Internet Explorer. It has a lot of security holes,
making it less safe. I prefer Firefox from mozilla.org.
It’s easy to use, FAST, and has a lot of neat little add-ons you can toy around with. It is also safer from exploits than IE.*
As always, things will vary. I just hope the best for everybody. I’m bound to get some jealous thumbs-down but there’s only one way to find things out—try it!
Keep an UPDATED Antivirus, Antispyware, & firewall and things will be fine. And always browse wisely.
As a side note, please email me any/all websites you got the infection from or if any are popping up or hijacking you so I can help further security software’s measures.
Sometimes you may get a NEW and Unknown malware and I can submit it to be blacklisted/investigated to security companies.
Hope I was able to help. If I have, please consider returning & leaving a nice comment and
"Best Answer" to whomever you thinks deserves it…