When running Malwarebytes --if you're lucky enough to
have a free one ---those are no more -- it often detects
"objects" (I just ran it on a new Win 8 machine which I beleived
was infected and it said "1347 objects detected" !!
What is an "object" to MWB ??
Anything the program finds that it doesn't like. PUPs (potentially
unwanted programs, like the free things that come with your machine)
can be "Objects", viruses and trojans are objects any crud that
potentially could gum up the works may be an object.
Anything legitimately on your machine, like Internet Explorer, Word,
Stellarium, Solitaire or your music files, are unlikely to be
"Objects" unless they get infected or replaced by cyborg, alien, bad
malware pretending to be good stuff.
MWB looks for *Malware*. Bad programs. Nasties. Anything that has the
potential to hurt you.
If it finds one, it lists it.
Highlight the item on the list and you should be able to get further
details on it, like it's name, location, political affiliations,
whether it is now or ever has been a member of the Monster Raving
Loony Party and other lovely stuff.
MWB should also tell you what it *ADVISES* you to do with an object,
and it should allow you to ignore its recommendation. I have done
this. I marked an "object" as "always allow". It was a joke "virus"
from early Windows days and I rather liked it.
It's just a thought but have you tried *online* scanners? That might
save you the download-and-install step.
J.
