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September 1st, 2012 20:00

Question About Java And Other Concerns

Had this in the original Java thread, decided it should be easier as separate thread.

Will a simple uninstall get rid of Java, or do remnants stick around. After picking up the fake Live Security scanner Trojan or whatever it is, I have been doing some the online scans in addition to MBAM, which got rid of it in a quick scan, and SAS and Windows Defender. Not sure if AntiVir would have cleaned it up, but MBAM got it in short order. Thought I was clicking on a safe link, but I have learned enough here to get it started in Safe Mode, run MBAM, and turn WD and Windows Security Center back on and get back to normal. Somewhere along the line I got a couple of error messages that mentioned Java. Think I was trying ot download and run a online scan, but can't remember for sure.

On another matter, somewhere I picked up Premier Opinion, which appears to be a malicious ad-ware and data stealing pest. I deleted the program. It does not show up on any scans, but there is an entry in WinPatrol in Services, where it is shows up as disabled. It also shows up in Services in Task Manager, where it  shows stopped. Not sure what I can do to get rid of it completly or if it hurting anything at the present time if it is disabled. 

3 Apprentice

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15.5K Posts

September 2nd, 2012 06:00

Dale,

even if the java uninstaller leaves behind some stray registry entries, I don't know that it's worth it to try to go after them.   [For example, I've found one webpage from java itself that talks about how to edit the registry in the event the "Java icon is still visible in the Windows Control Panel after Java is uninstalled".   I have intentionally not cited that link here, because I don't advocate editing the registry, and don't want to be responsible for anyone's problems if they try to do so.]

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"I have learned enough here to get it started in Safe Mode, run MBAM, and..."

Be advised that MBAM is intended to run in NORMAL mode, so as to be able to find and conquer malware that's residing/functioning in the system's RAM.   (By starting in SAFE mode, such malware often doesn't run, and so MBAM won't find it in memory.)   In fact, the only time one should try running MBAM in safe mode is when it is prevented from running in normal mode.   And now, with MBAM's Chameleon, it's even less likely that MBAM will be prevented from running normally.

In that sense, MBAM takes a very different philosophy from other security programs, that often DO request users run them in SAFE mode.

And as you have seen, MBAM focuses on "rogue" malware that other products either don't detect, or don't remove properly.   For a "do-it-yourself" person, it should be the first scanner you run when encountering a rogue.   [Of course, by "doing it yourself", you may only exacerbate existing problems... so you need to proceed with caution.]

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Somewhere along the line I got a couple of error messages that mentioned Java.

Was it an "error" message, that Java was "malfunctioning"?   Or was it merely an advisory that you were visiting a site that required java, which it couldn't find (active) on your system? 

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Concerning Premier Opinion, I would be concerned that "It also shows up in Services in Task Manager, where it  shows stopped".   [I'm less concerned about it appearing as "disabled" under WinPatrol's services, as sometimes, after a program/service is removed, it may still appear as a disabled service in WinPatrol.   But in such a case, WinPatrol should indicate that the (local) file was not found.]

But as I am not familiar with that particular program, you can either wait for Bugbatter to reply here, to see what she suggests... or if you're in a rush, you can follow the directions at http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/index.php?showtopic=79038 to register and post the requested logs at SpywareInfoForum.com ; there are expert helpers there who can "walk you through" procedures to analyze your system, and clean-up the infection.   All help provided there is FREE.   If you decide to go for help there, please wait for a response, and do NOT attempt to run any other scans/removers on your own --- do exactly what they instruct you to do, no more, no less.  

 

3 Apprentice

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20.5K Posts

September 2nd, 2012 17:00

Hi Dale,
As the others have mentioned, Java usually uninstalls cleanly. Check to see if you have to manually delete its folder in your Program Files afterward. that was an issue with older versions, but not so much lately.
 
To address your other question, see if you can reboot into Safemode and remove this folder: C:\Program Files\PremierOpinion

After that, it might be good to go to SpywareInfo Forums or SpywareHammer for a follow-up review.

2 Intern

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5.8K Posts

September 1st, 2012 21:00

Will a simple uninstall get rid of Java, or do remnants stick around. . 

Dale:

As far as I know, Java uninstalls cleanly via Control Panel in both XP and Win7. Searches I ran on both "Java" and "JRE" on both OS turned up nada. No remnants.

Sorry, can't answer your other Q's.

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