[SOLVED] Malware on hard drive

pmdelage · 06-18-2011, 04:29 PM

I have seen the light and will convert to Linux. I have booted this laptop from a CD with Ubuntu. The hard drive has been seized by a fake Window XP restore trojan(?), which sends all kinds of error messages and shows there are no files on the drive and no access to it. Using Ubuntu I can see everything is there.

Is there a way I can use Ubuntu and something like Malwarebytes to kill the malware on the drive? Then I believe I could back it up before I reformat it and bring it into the Linux world. Thanks, Paul

TB0ne · 06-18-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmdelage

I have seen the light and will convert to Linux. I have booted this laptop from a CD with Ubuntu. The hard drive has been seized by a fake Window XP restore trojan(?), which sends all kinds of error messages and shows there are no files on the drive and no access to it. Using Ubuntu I can see everything is there.

Is there a way I can use Ubuntu and something like Malwarebytes to kill the malware on the drive? Then I believe I could back it up before I reformat it and bring it into the Linux world. Thanks, Paul

Since you've booted a 'live' Ubuntu, just plug in a USB stick, and copy your files to it. When you're done, you can format and install to your hard drive.

qrange · 06-18-2011, 05:48 PM

why would you want to 'kill malware' if the intention is to 'bring it into Linux'?
LiveCD should be able to read NTFS/FAT32/.. fine and allow copying data.
malware usually doesn't corrupt filesystem/data.

frankbell · 06-18-2011, 07:30 PM

To answer your original question, check out the Trinity Rescue Kit. I have used it to clean my girlfriend's daughter's Windows box. It works just fine.

I would burn the CD from a malware free computer.

jraz · 06-18-2011, 08:18 PM

Copy all your data as TBOne and grange have stated. The install Linux to the hard drive. If you are still concerned about corrupt data files, you can always scan them with ClamAv. I really doubt anything corrupted will hurt your new Linux box but it is always good to know you don't share something bad back to the Windows world. Welcome to freedom.

pmdelage · 06-26-2011, 07:16 PM

Using the guidance given here I have been able to get back in action. I had to get window working again as I had so many windows programs and e-mail addresses and accounting data that had to be exported before I could do away with windows. I am deeply indebted to you all and expecially whoever developed unhide.exe. That program relieved alot of stress along with ubuntu, to see the files were all there and not erased. Again, thanks, Paul