The white screen displaying a red countdown timer suggests it might be a hijacker or virus.
The white screen displaying a red countdown timer suggests it might be a hijacker or virus.
I don't understand what happened. I was just working on my game design when this timer appeared unexpectedly. Actually, I was unwrapping a model, and after finishing and minimizing 3DS Max, the timer showed up. It doesn't stop me from doing anything. Windows functions normally except for this massive timer counting down to negative infinity? Lol
View: https://youtu.be/l0stwMRsi6Y
No apparent program is running. I've been backing up my old HDD with TeraCopy to a new NVMe SSD. Perhaps this triggered it before copying files?
It's a brand new desktop PC using Windows 11.
I shared my dxdiag on Pastebin: https://pastebin.com/5yB1XVsh
Please be aware of this: I didn't watch the YouTube video or check the dxdiag link.
Just a quick note about being careful.
You can find Process Explorer (free) at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysint...s-explorer
I don't mean to sound rude, but you know you can't get infected by a video or a text file right? I understand wanting to be cautious, but there's a point where it crosses into too cautious
😛
Nothing out of the ordinary that I can see with Process Explorer. Not that I really know what I'm looking for.
Windows Defender and Malware bytes both turned up nothing. Or, rather Malware bytes thought that AccuRig (an automatic character rigging software from Reallusion) was a PUP, so it found one false positive.
https://imgur.com/waBJhka
View: https://imgur.com/waBJhka
https://imgur.com/cjvj7Pu
View: https://imgur.com/cjvj7Pu
I checked the startup programs and found a program named "Program" running. I turned off Starting with Windows and tried to locate it, but Windows reported an error. After rebooting, it disappeared. It could be a weak hijacking tool or a distraction tactic. I unplugged my internet at first sight, though the firewall was active. I don’t know what caused it.
Infection is possible through videos or text files, yet not via streaming a YouTube video.
@TorQueMoD
Who is aware of how "Program" was inserted?
In Process Explorer, use sorting to display usage from highest to lowest using the column headers.
Clicking a column header will reveal a small arrow pointing up or down, showing if the column can be sorted and the direction.
Imgur images are fixed, so adjustments to views or sorts aren't possible in the screenshots.
Printing out the images or screenshots can help compare changes later.
If the countdown appears again, check for other modifications.
= = = =
Regarding infection vectors, search for "zero day virus" online if needed.
There are numerous malicious actors targeting data theft, spying, and destruction. They rely on fake sites, common key mistakes, and misleading steps—offering endless chances to exploit.
Finding a document online is likely, but clicking the link may trigger various alerts.
My cautious approach would be to disable my computer, lock it, and discard the key, plus maintaining multiple backups just in case.
I opened Task Manager, then navigated to the Startup tab. I arranged by Publisher in descending order (double-clicking Publisher) to identify programs without a listed publisher at the top—most likely the issue—and there was a simple "Program" entry, which I turned off and restarted. Problem resolved. Hope this assists someone else.
Really? I thought you had to run an exe or a macro. How could a video or txt file contain a virus? There's nothing to execute. Maybe you could make an executable look like a video or txt file, but it seems crazy to me the actual files could execute a virus.
Code is code.
When a computer receives a sequence of bits directing it to perform an action, it will follow that instruction.
Most often, AV software and similar tools monitor for patterns of bits signaling harmful or inappropriate commands.
The primary challenge lies with end users who act impulsively before considering consequences.
That said, malicious individuals continuously devise new tactics and attacks.
It's important to remain vigilant.
I attempted to reply to your video but couldn't. I wanted to inform you that this isn't a virus. I've been discussing the matter with an online community after realizing it. They mentioned that using Ctrl + 3 opens a timer when 'ZoomIt' is enabled in PowerToys.