I'm working on a friend's computer which has been infested by the above virus.

It has blocked Avira from running, also blocks any removal software I've 
tried to run in Safe Mode (Malabytes Antimalware, Ms Malicious Software 
Removal Tool, Avira Removal Tool, McAfee Stinger).

It blocks any attempt to reinstall Avira or AVG in Safe Mode.

I can't find any removal tools at Symantec or McAfee sites for this 
specific virus (thought there are tools for many other W32 variants).

Short of reformatting, has anyone been able to remove this particular W32 
variant?  According to Symantec definitions, the Virut variation has been 
around for quite a while.

I was able to identify it by trying to run the above removal tools off a 
USB thumb drive. When I replaced the drive in my own computer, Avira 
immediately informed me that each of these tools had been modified by this 
virus.

Don Penlington 

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