Need Help Killing Virus!

Keebler Elf

The Original Elf
Aug 31, 2001
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The Keebler Factory
So yesterday my computer got infected with the Winzip Registry Optimizer Virus. I'm pretty sure it happened when I got an auto update for my File Factory software because it showed up right afterwards (it still appears in my Start > Programs list). This is one of those viruses that gives you fake scan results and tells you to buy their product to "fix your system" (I've had these types of viruses before so I didn't fall for that).

What really caught my attention is that I can no longer open my Control Panel (I was going to try and uninstall Fire Factory). When I click on it CP opens in a window at the bottom of screen, flickers, but then hangs and won't open. This is the type of thing I've experienced before with malware so I figured the normal routine would get rid of it. So far, no dice.

I followed these instructions online but so far no success: http://www.fixpcyourself.com/remove-winzip-registry-optimizer-virus/#more-1728

I have run rkill.com and then run a full Malwarebytes scan but it comes up with no results. WTF?? I've also run Spybot and cleaned up some stuff but that didn't help either. I'm in the process of running a McAfee full scan to see if it finds something.

The strange thing is that in the past these types of viruses have disabled my anti-virus but for some reason this time they still run but it's my Control Panel that's fucked up.

Anyone have any other ideas or know what I'm doing wrong?
 
This might sound simple but sometimes a system rollback/restore fixes these things. Try ccleaner registry scan as well it's a free program
 
This is why I pay for Norton. Had one similar in the last couple of days. Full scan and Norton Power Eraser did the trick.
 
Never liked McAfee. The only times I got hit with any virus was when using McAfee.
Switched to Norton and then Free Avast which protected better.
Now use free Linux which protects best of all.....:cool:
 
try booting into safe mode by holding the F8 key when you're booting up. see if your control panel opens from there.....next run malwarebytes full scan while in safe mode and do registry clean with ccleaner.

malwarebytes and most virus scanner are far more effective and quicker while in safe mode

also, here's another excellentaward winning online scanner by F-Secure http://www.f-secure.com/en/web/home_global/online-scanner