Hi there, I found that some of my folders went missing and after I found the worm VB.BKK on the system and removed it some of my folders remained missing. I found them being hidden. In the properties it shows that the hidden checkbox is checked and Unchecking it is disabled. My start - Programs - Accessories folder is also missing. Any help on repairing this nightmare?

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

What steps did you take to remove the infection? It likely wasn't sufficient. 
The only thing I can find on it with a bit of Googling, indicates it's a variant 
of this trojan... 
How to Remove Zlob trojan Media-Codec Goldcodec Braincodec

Regardless what the infection is, I suggest you go through further cleaning steps 
to make sure it's cleaned up. The above site has a section with preliminary cleaning 
steps. After which you can post a message and get further assistance.


Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

Try the small application on this page to...
Restore shortcuts to the Accessories group
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Accessories.htm


Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

I have used AVG to clean all it found and then I ran Spyware terminator after a restart. It seemed to have cleaned everything. Small problem. All my "folders" under "Start - All Programs" are gone. How could I find them and restore them. At least the important ones like accessories.


On Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 8:13 am, Ms. Eagle wrote:
>
>What steps did you take to remove the infection? It likely wasn't sufficient.
>The only thing I can find on it with a bit of Googling, indicates it's a variant
>of this trojan...
>How to Remove Zlob trojan Media-Codec Goldcodec Braincodec
>
>Regardless what the infection is, I suggest you go through further cleaning steps
>to make sure it's cleaned up. The above site has a section with preliminary cleaning
>steps. After which you can post a message and get further assistance.
>
>

I wouldn't count on Spyware Terminator cleaning everything. In fact, I don't recommend 
using it and neither do malware experts. Plus, it's known to cause problems. It may 
even be the cause of what you're describing. 

I suggest you try a restore point (if system restore is enabled) prior to running 
Spyware Terminator, IF those problems showed up after using it. I don't know of any 
other way of hand, that will easily fix your missing folders under All Programs. 

I also suggest you uninstall it completely. There are far superior similar programs... 
such as Two of the best anti-malware programs are 
SUPERAntiSpyware and 
AVG Anti-Spyware free and are most used on malware support forums. 
They both have a Free version, which lack background protection and an auto update 
feature.


Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

Thanks for the heads up. I have since uninstalled spyware terminator and installed AVG anti spyware. I have also in the meantime started re-installing, or where available, repair install my software in order to retrieve the "lost" folders under All Programs. However, the following is still of a great concern to me as my original folders have been hidden (especially on my removable drives) and are now only visible after the "show hidden files" are checked and the "hide protected operating system files" are unchecked. The folders then appear to be hidden, but I cannot uncheck the hidden checkbox under the properties as the function is disabled. I would like to show a preview of the problem, but I can't paste it in this message.


On Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 11:30 am, Ms. Eagle wrote:
>
>I wouldn't count on Spyware Terminator cleaning everything. In fact, I don't recommend
>using it and neither do malware experts. Plus, it's known to cause problems. It may
>even be the cause of what you're describing.
>
>I suggest you try a restore point (if system restore is enabled) prior to running
>Spyware Terminator, IF those problems showed up after using it. I don't know of any
>other way of hand, that will easily fix your missing folders under All Programs.
>
>I also suggest you uninstall it completely. There are far superior similar programs...
>such as Two of the best anti-malware programs are
>SUPERAntiSpyware and >color="006699">
>AVG Anti-Spyware free and are most used on malware support forums.
>They both have a Free version, which lack background protection and an auto update
>feature.
>
>

So, you didn't have a recent restore point to go back to. That's what I would have 
done, if possible. Reason I suggested it is, it sounds like a Spyware Terminator 
scan/fix caused the problem, but I may be wrong?

Many system folders have the hidden attribute, but most programs don't, so that's 
odd. I understand what you're saying about greyed out hidden attribute, so a screen 
shot shouldn't be necessary, but it won't hurt anything. 

To show us what it looks like, take a screen shot and upload it to a hosting site, 
like PhotoBucket or ImageShack. Then post the code in a message here.


Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

I forgot to remind you that I'd included a link to a fix for missing Accessories 
folder. I don't know that it'll work, under the circumstances. 

Additionally, you really should go through some malware cleaning steps on one of 
those malware support forums... I referenced in an earlier post. As you can see, 
it can take a number of steps to clear up.



Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

Thanks so far for your assistance. I got a bit P.O. with the issue, so I have renamed the hidden folders. Created new folders and moved the contents back to the newly created folder and deleted the hidden folder. Now it seems that all is well again. I have downloaded and installed the AVG antispyware and it didn't find anything on my system. I think I will stay with AVG for now. Thanks again for the support.


On Friday, January 18, 2008 at 9:43 pm, Ms. Eagle wrote:
>
>I forgot to remind you that I'd included a link to a fix for missing Accessories
>folder. I don't know that it'll work, under the circumstances.
>
>Additionally, you really should go through some malware cleaning steps on one of
>those malware support forums... I referenced in an earlier post. As you can see,
>it can take a number of steps to clear up.
>
>
>

It would be very annoying, so I understand. I'm mainly concerned that the infection 
hasn't been cleaned completely, so if you start having problems again be sure to 
follow through by going through more extensive cleaning steps. 

You're welcome, and good luck.




Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File

Thank you, I sure appreciated the assistance. All the best.


On Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 3:37 pm, Ms. Eagle wrote:
>
>It would be very annoying, so I understand. I'm mainly concerned that the infection
>hasn't been cleaned completely, so if you start having problems again be sure to
>follow through by going through more extensive cleaning steps.
>
>You're welcome, and good luck.
>
>
>
>

You're very welcome. Glad to help. All the best to you, too. :)

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