Troubleshooting Webcam Software Infection

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around troubleshooting issues with webcam software potentially linked to a virus infection. Participants explore various approaches to identify and resolve the problem, including virus scanning, file deletion, and software uninstallation. The conversation includes technical suggestions and personal experiences related to antivirus software and system security.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports an infection identified as Java.ByteVerify!exploit and seeks advice on how to handle the infected file.
  • Another suggests that the antivirus program should automatically delete the infected file, but if it does not, manual deletion is recommended.
  • Some participants share their experiences with different antivirus programs and suggest checking for suspicious files or programs installed recently.
  • There is speculation that the infection could have originated from a corrupted website rather than an email.
  • One participant proposes uninstalling the webcam software until the computer is confirmed to be clean, followed by reinstallation.
  • Another participant humorously suggests switching to Mac as a solution, while others defend Windows and discuss the implications of the infection being a trojan.
  • Multiple links to external resources for virus removal and scanning are shared, with varying opinions on their effectiveness.
  • Some participants correct each other regarding the appropriate fixes for the identified issues, indicating a lack of consensus on the best approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the source of the infection and the best methods for resolving the issue. There is no consensus on whether the webcam is directly related to the problem, and opinions vary on the necessity of uninstalling software or switching operating systems.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various antivirus programs and their effectiveness, but there is uncertainty regarding the specific capabilities of eTrust EZAntivirus. The discussion includes references to external resources and tools, but the effectiveness of these suggestions remains unresolved.

AKG
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Messages
2,561
Reaction score
4
I bought a webcam Wednesday, and now I can't get into the software to use the webcam, although I could get in the previous two days. I ran a virus scan, and the scan identified a file:

C:\Documents and Settings\Family\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\javapi\v1.0\jar\a.jar-228d5c98-3b97e70e.zip

as the one infected. It identified the infection as:

Java.ByteVerify!exploit

there's some info about it here:

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/search.aspx?pst=Java.ByteVerify!exploit&ad=0

Any idea about what to do? Can I just delete this zip file? Is there some way I can force my virus scanner to quarantine or delete the infection? Right now, it just displays that the file is infected and does nothing about it. My antivirus program is eTrust EZAntivirus, the webcam is a Creative product. It says that the infected file was last modified yesterday afternoon, when my dad would have been looking at emails and searching the web for fridges or something like that.

Thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Computer science news on Phys.org
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/virus.aspx?ID=36725

sounds like the program should delete it by itself. If not, just delte it
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I don't know much about eTrust EZAntivirus, but I use Norton Security at home and MacAfee ASaP at work. Both filtering incoming files from the internet, and both have been effective in killing viruses.

If the Antivirus doesn't delete it, then you will have to delete it yourself, and then empty trash.

Also, you might wish to check all files created or save in the last 24 or 48 hrs noting where they are located. If anything is suspicious, check it out.

Also, look at add/remove programs to see if there is something installed that should not be.

As a last check, I would look at the registry file to see if any new stuff is there. However, if you are not familiar with the registry file, don't touch it.
 
probably your father opened something in an email he shouldn't have
 
No, I don't think he opened any e-mails like that. Is it possible that the webcam had anything to do with it? As far as I could tell, it was the only thing that wasn't working. Basically, when you tried to open any of the webcam programs, just nothing would happen. It wouldn't start to load or anything. Thanks for your help guys.
 
haha man I had the same problem...annoying buggers.
Anyway this is what I did for a quick short-term/permanent solution:

Sun Java:
Start > Settings > Control Panel > Java Plug-in > Cache
Click on the folder next to the location bar to choose the particular folder. The folder you want to choose is your 'jar' file
Once you select that, clear it and all should be fine with a bit of luck.

If that doesn't work and you have more annoying javabyte viruses then try these online scans:

http://www.pandasoftware.com/active...n_principal.htm
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

If that doesn't work then you might just want to try a Hijackthis Log.
When you download Hijackthis and create a log DO NOT press "Fix" just copy that log and paste it onto notepad and save.
Then go to a computer forum, such as, http://castlecops.com/ and post that log in the "Hijack log" section of the forum.
It might take a while for someone to get to it because it is a pretty arduous task to sort out which files aren't meant to be in the log. They will post back telling you what you can "fix" when you next run HijackThis and that should solve all your problems.
Note that blindly fixing stuff in your hijack log by yourself is like going into your registry and deleting files at random so don't do it.

Like I said though try the other two suggestions first though, because the Hijack suggestion takes a little while and it's a lot of effort for both parties.

Hope that helps
 
Last edited by a moderator:
AKG said:
No, I don't think he opened any e-mails like that. Is it possible that the webcam had anything to do with it? As far as I could tell, it was the only thing that wasn't working. Basically, when you tried to open any of the webcam programs, just nothing would happen. It wouldn't start to load or anything. Thanks for your help guys.
From the site Pengwino linked to, it sounds like you (or your father) could have picked it up from a corrupted website somehow.

You might want to try uninstalling the webcam software until you fix the problems you're having and are sure you have a clean computer, then reinstall it.
 
Moonbear said:
You might want to try uninstalling the webcam software until you fix the problems you're having and are sure you have a clean computer, then reinstall it.
Moonie, my darling, you disappoint me. The proper response, of course, is "Trash that Windows-burning piece of crap and buy a Mac!" :-p
 
ahh come on windows isn't that bad :)
AKG doesn't really need to uninstall what he has installed 'cause it's just a trojan so it's not going to really affect any files on his computer...unless someone from the 'outside' wants to stuff with his computer, but that's not likely.
 
  • #11
Kakarot, that's the wrong fix. The real fix is HERE
 
  • #12
dduardo said:
Kakarot, that's the wrong fix. The real fix is HERE

lmao maybe if you want a weaker computer or one that can run 1% of the software in the world :smile:

i used to use a mac back in the day and i liked it a lot but then i got into games and macs are worthless for gaming