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Task Manager Processes is full of instances of Consent.exe
Can't access Firefox Safe Mode in All Programmes.
Can't even switch off or on.
Cursor has a circle running beside it all the time.
In Task Manager plugin container is showing about ten times normal usage.

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Dani AI

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Brief expert follow-up and consolidation for future readers. This thread shows a machine that returned to normal after an AV cleanup and Safe Mode troubleshooting reported by . That apparent recovery is encouraging, but infections often leave remnants or altered settings. The checklist below focuses on verification and short hardening steps that are practical on legacy Windows Vista systems.

Run integrity checks and transient diagnostics:

sfc /scannow
chkdsk C: /f
netstat -ano | findstr ESTABLISHED

Run those from an elevated Command Prompt. sfc repairs protected system files; chkdsk fixes disk errors; netstat helps spot unexpected outbound connections.

Second-opinion scanning and persistence hunting:

  • Run a reputable second-opinion scanner (for example, Malwarebytes) and an online rescanning tool to catch what the first AV might miss.
  • Use Autoruns (Sysinternals) or msconfig to examine startup items, scheduled tasks and browser helper objects. Disable anything unfamiliar and note the original state before removing.
  • Verify critical system processes are genuine by using Task Manager -> Open File Location and checking properties/digital signature (legitimate system files live in C:\Windows\System32 and are signed).

Repair services, browser plugins and account hygiene:

  • Confirm Windows services for security and networking are set to their defaults and running.
  • Update or remove outdated browser plugins (Java/Flash) and consider a fresh browser profile or reinstall if plugin-container or plugin crashes were observed.
  • After cleanup, reset passwords for online accounts accessed from the PC and enable two-factor authentication where available.

Final notes: create a full image backup while the system is clean. If any doubt remains about rootkits or hidden persistence, a clean OS reinstall is the safest option. Given Vista is no longer supported, consider migrating to a currently supported operating system to avoid future exposure.

Member Avatar for Techno22

Stayed up most of the night trying to sort this out.
When I ran the cursor over the Microsoft Security Essentials icon it kept assuring me that my system was protected.
Quick scans assured me of the same thing each time.
Eventually I ran a full scan which took some hours and the results were startling from a programme that kept assuring me that I was protected.
the following items were found:
Exploit.Java/CVE-2010-0840.BV
Exploit.Java/CVE-/2010-0840.BJ
Exploit.Java//CVE-2010-0840.CR
TrojanDownloader.Java/OpenConnectionJ
All were removed.
System still wouldn't work.
After a long time I got into Safe Mode - by shutting down at from the on/off switch a few times.
Security Centre could not be started, nor could a Network Connection be found.
On restarting the machine in Normal Mode everything seems to be running well.

Can anyone tell me please if there is anything else I need to do.
All seems well at the moment, but I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks.

Member Avatar for Techno22

System seems to be working well, overall, now so
I will close this thread and mark it solved.

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