Nasty malware issue

My grandpa is using a Dell laptop running a Vista 64 bit OS. I suspect that it's currently is under siege by malware, messing with the firewall and probably the hard drive. However, to fully understand the problem, I'll provide the series of events.

~ Infection (?)
~ A group of updates is downloaded.
~ Upon the attempt to install the eighth update, the computer freezes. My grandpa decided that forcing it to shut down was the wisest choice.
~ The computer apparently keeps freezing when he gets to the update screen again (when updating Vista, you are put in a screen that displays the progress before you can even log in. no logging in unless it's updated)
~ Grandpa phones a friend who brings in Ubuntu on a flash. The friend backs up the hard drive on an iPod.
~ The laptop is restored, Vista reinstalled.
~ The back-up is put onto the refreshed laptop.
~ Infection (?)

Now, Grandpa has noticed a program called Total Security Center that he is suspicious of. Upon closer examination, I am also suspicious. It claims to find several threats when scanning the computer, though McAfee finds squat. Also, when using the McAfee shredder, the program will not be destroyed. It claims that TSC has another program accessing it or that the user doesn't possess a high enough user rank. It also said that a restart would shred the file which, obviously, we tried and saw it fail.

TSC is in the program files, and easy to find. It's just impossible to remove, and I have a strong feeling that it's the source of this problem. It asks the user to disable the firewall and download something online (not happening, no one can be that stupid) and the firewall is blocking the official McAfee website.

I just want to quarantine and kill this before it gets worse or spreads. Can you throw me some advice?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Invisible Man

Can you throw me some advice?

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http://www.ubuntu.com/

but anyhow...

Try MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ClouD

Try MalwareBytes Anti-Malware.

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This.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ynot

http://www.ubuntu.com/

but anyhow...

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Actually, I intend to recommend that to him. In the meantime, should I get the security prgm you suggested on a flash and DL it to the computer in question?

Total Security Center is a piece of rogue security software, spyware in and of itself. Running Malwarebytes on it's own might not be enough to disable it if it is already running, you need to kill the process first.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/viru...total-security

I've heard of this site before, but haven't used it extensively. The guide seems trustworthy though, nothing outlandishly dangerous.

It's crazy, my dad just come and asked me about a problem with a computer downstairs.
Same kind of thing is happening, random popups warning about viruses, telling you that your computer is sending information to a remote computer, we looked it up and Malware Bytes should take care of it too.

Odd coincidence.

Thanks for the site Licity. That article was perfect.

I'll get Grandpa to DL MalwareBytes and kill it.