Can I Retrieve/repair Files After Zbot.ed Infection

[balliali]

My computer runs Windows Vista, and has recently been infected by Spyware.Zbot.ED, with the result that a lot of the files in My Documents are now encrypted as a BITCRYPT2 file. I have run Spyware Blaster and updated it and Microsoft Security Essentials. Can my files be repaired.... or is it time to delete the whole lot and start again!!!! Advice appreciated, please......

[Buenchico]

Googling suggests that you've been hit by two separate problems.

Spyware.Zbot.ED seems to be associated with stealing passwords so, even though you might have got rid of that infection, you might need to change all your passwords a.s.a.p.

However the Bitcrypt2 file extension suggests that you've been hit by Cryptolocker, which means your files are gone forever. If you create new files on the same computer (without first wiping the hard drive and starting completely afresh) they'll probably also get encrypted unless you 100% confident that you've removed Cryptolocker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2mn-8BVZYB8

[balliali]

Thank you very much for your very detailed answer. However, so far, so good. I have changed my passwords, and since then I have created more (important) word documents, and they are fine yet. Fortunately I had backed up my files last week, so despite losing stuff out of My Documents, I still have most files safe. In the morn I will go through that second potential infection and try and sort it. Thanks again