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  LiveWire / Technical Forums / Computer Virus & Anti-Virus Software / Adding Reply

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Topic Trojan Horse in AIM 6
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Original Post
Queen Victoria II Posted at 2:33 pm on June 12, 2008
I have AVG and Spybot Search and Destroy on my computer for protection against viruses and spyware.  A little while ago, a message from AVG popped up saying there is a trojan horse in AIM 6 (called Startpage.CQS).  I pressed "heal," and it said that the trojan horse was "healed."  I cannot remove AIM 6 at all.  I have tried "Add or Remove Programs" several times, and the same message keeps appearing.

I ran scans in both programs, and they found no threats.

Can someone help me?  How can I uninstall AIM 6?  I have not logged in... in months!  I keep my computer very clean, too!

Replies
anonomouse Posted at 2:41 pm on Feb. 21, 2009
Quote: from DefaultTo0 at 2:40 pm on June 12, 2008

If Spybot S&D found it, you should be able to click a link in the program to take you to removal instructions.

Alternatively, you could download Revo Uninstaller. It is a free uninstall program, which acts a lot more aggressively than the Windows Add/Remove programs feature. Use it and choose the deepest cleaning option to totally remove it.


You should use Revo Uninstaller regardless--AIM will leave traces behind on your computer and, if it was indeed infected, some of those traces may contain the virus. Therefore, use Revo Uninstaller to take out any trace of AIM. It's also very easy to use.

mully Posted at 10:28 am on Feb. 21, 2009
Simple solution I read about and it worked for me too. Take your PC offline, disable your virus protection, then go to "add or remove prgrams" in the control panel. It will uninstall. Then just enable virus protection and go back online. Done.
GoodSamaritan Posted at 7:56 pm on Sep. 1, 2008
I had the same thing happen to me, that's how I found this thread. I tried Revo, but that didn't work because it uses the program's own uninstall process, and is more aggressive because it can then clear any data that the uninstall process didn't clear. <p> What worked for me, however, was reinstalling AIM. I thought that it would give me trouble about me already having AIM, and whether it should overwrite or not, but it didn't. It just installed, and then I was able to uninstall it without a problem.
Queen Victoria II Posted at 3:07 pm on June 12, 2008
Quote: from DefaultTo0 at 5:40 pm on June 12, 2008

If Spybot S&D found it, you should be able to click a link in the program to take you to removal instructions.

Alternatively, you could download Revo Uninstaller. It is a free uninstall program, which acts a lot more aggressively than the Windows Add/Remove programs feature. Use it and choose the deepest cleaning option to totally remove it.


Thank you for the advice!

Revo is awesome...

A6stringpoet Posted at 2:48 pm on June 12, 2008
Quote: from motorhead at 2:44 pm on June 12, 2008

Quote: from A6stringpoet at 5:40 pm on June 12, 2008

three ways:  

 One is to go into your program directory and manually delete the program. You will have to make sure the program is not running by hitting ctrl alt delete and ending it for the processes.


It will still be entered in the registry, so this is a very primitive way of dealing with the problem.

 


Another is to reformat, but that is a lot more drastic, and would require a back up of all of your non system files that you wish to retain.

Completely unnecessary.

 


Another is to go into system restore and restore before the time you installed the program, but that will not work if you haven't made a restore point, and you will lose all other programs you have installed since that point.

Incorrect. Programs and files are not deleted with system restore, it also doesn't remove viruses.


Many of the Spy-programs out there on the internet will not remove the item from the registry either, and in fact add thier own registry code making the issue more problematic.

System restore will not delete the proogram correct but it will condense it and remove it from use at least.

Reformating is usually the way to go if you wish to completely eradicate the program without a risk of internal storage of it or having a Spy Ware program screw with your registry more.

Juewelz32 Posted at 2:44 pm on June 12, 2008
So WhAt
Cunning Stunt Posted at 2:44 pm on June 12, 2008
Quote: from A6stringpoet at 5:40 pm on June 12, 2008

three ways:

One is to go into your program directory and manually delete the program. You will have to make sure the program is not running by hitting ctrl alt delete and ending it for the processes.  


It will still be entered in the registry, so this is a very primitive way of dealing with the problem.


Another is to reformat, but that is a lot more drastic, and would require a back up of all of your non system files that you wish to retain.

Completely unnecessary.


Another is to go into system restore and restore before the time you installed the program, but that will not work if you haven't made a restore point, and you will lose all other programs you have installed since that point.

Incorrect. Programs and files are not deleted with system restore, it also doesn't remove viruses.

DefaultTo0 Posted at 2:40 pm on June 12, 2008
If Spybot S&D found it, you should be able to click a link in the program to take you to removal instructions.

Alternatively, you could download Revo Uninstaller.  It is a free uninstall program, which acts a lot more aggressively than the Windows Add/Remove programs feature.  Use it and choose the deepest cleaning option to totally remove it.

A6stringpoet Posted at 2:40 pm on June 12, 2008
three ways:

One is to go into your program directory and manually delete the program. You will have to make sure the program is not running by hitting ctrl alt delete and ending it for the processes.

Another is to reformat, but that is a lot more drastic, and would require a back up of all of your non system files that you wish to retain.

Another is to go into system restore and restore before the time you installed the program, but that will not work if you haven't made a restore point, and you will lose all other programs you have installed since that point.

I reformat my computer on a pretty regular basis just to give it a fresh start every now and again. Newer computers have a factory restart which involves restarting the computer  and at the load page before window starts you press ctrl f11. this also removes info you on your comp since it was first turned on.

Queen Victoria II Posted at 2:38 pm on June 12, 2008
Quote: from motorhead at 5:36 pm on June 12, 2008

And what is the message you keep getting....?

The message says there is a threat detected.  After I click "heal," another pops up with "Please run the uninstaller after installation is complete."

Cunning Stunt Posted at 2:36 pm on June 12, 2008
And what is the message you keep getting....?
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