How do I get rid of viruses from computer?

Question

We keep getting them on our computer and have the latest updates on this one.I know that some come from yahoo messenger.Any help woul dbe great.Thanks

Answer 1

★★ SECURITY SOFTWARE & TIPS ★★

◙ The very best virus scanners are free. Mcafee & Norton Antivirus are mostly hype and won't do as good as the free ones. -- About.com & Smart Computing Magazine

◙ Download and install AVG. Use it first and see if it finds any viruses or trojans.

☞ http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

◙ After running AVG go here and run this virus scanner online. There is no need to install it on your computer.

☞ http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

◙ Microsoft's New Live Safety Center. Download this scanner to check and remove spyware, viruses, get rid of obsolete files and junk off your computer, and improve your PCs performance.

☞ http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm?s_cid=msep

◙ The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software?including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom?and helps remove any infection found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. You can run this tool online FREE.

☞ http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

◙ Best spyware remover is Ad Aware. Download and install the free version.

◙ http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

◙ Here is a wealth of information about fighting spyware and spyware producers. Join their free forum for answers to your questions. -- Smart Computing Magazine

☞ http://www.spywarewarrior.com/

◙ Before downloading email attachments in Gmail and Yahoo Mail click on the link that says, "Scan With Norton Antivirus".

◙ Before downloading any software from the internet type it into http://groups.google.com/ to see if that title is known for spyware or viruses. Google Groups has over 1 billion posts spanning 25 years to help you. Even after checking it there ALWAYS scan it before opening it. You just can't be too careful. -- Smart Computing Magazine

◙ A lot of the download sites like http://www.download.com/ and http://www.tucows.com/ scan software before releasing it to the public. But just for safety sake you should still scan it yourself.

◙ If you have a broadband modem or network router the firewall in these is not as effective as a software firewall. The firewall that comes with Windows XP isn't very good either. Download ZoneAlarm and your system will be a lot safer. -- Smart Computing Magazine

☞ http://www.zonealarm.com/

◙ Here is a really great article on browser hijacking. This will show you how to get rid of it. There is a tutorial and software to get rid of part of it. You'll need to make some changes to your computer's registry to get rid of the rest of it. Click on the chatroom link on their main page if you need help.

☞ http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/hijacked/

◙ Here is Yahoo!'s Internet Security section.

☞ http://security.yahoo.com/

◙ Get more information at these PC Magazine Web sites.

☞ http://www.pcmag.com/
☞ http://www.smartcomputing.com/

◙ Top 100 Computer & Software Magazines.

☞ http://netvalley.com/top100mag.html

Answer 2

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Answer 3

These days just one virus program isn't enough. You usually need to run at least two - a virus program and a spyware hunter.

McAfee and Norton are the two best selling programs for virus protection but I don't care for either. I use BitDefender on most of my pcs, which I like because it was cheap, light (doesn't tax the system too much) and it prompts me before ANY program tries to alter my registry. This way I can prevent a lot of the damage from happening.

I am experimenting with Avast (which can be had free) and so far it looks good too.

For spyware I use both Adaware and Spybot, both of which can be had legally for free.

If you're running Windows XP, you should flip on the firewall, and you might consider using Zone Alarm as a personal firewall (also free) to reduce hacking.

Sometimes even that's not enough. There's a website called Bleeping Computer where you can hunt for answers if running all of the above doesn't fix your pc. This service is free too.

Is this a big pain in the you know what? Yep! Drives me mad! But what's a gal to do?

,

Answer 4

First at all, do not use Norton Antivirus. It is a memory eater and slows the system down. One of the best Antivirusprograms for free is WWW.Avast.com and then you register. You will not get annoyed with spam. AVAST updates automaticly in very small packets and is very reliable. It keeps the Computer really clean. Then you need an Antispyware program. Good is Ad Aware and SpyBot & Search and Destroy. Then you need of course a good Firewall for your Windows. All this together is a good system. Try the free Version of Zonealarm or use the internal Firewall from the Service Pack 2 of Windows. That should be enough to keep your computer away from trouble.

When you install Avast run an "Full System Check" at the begin. Then download Zonealarm and after it Ad Aware and run it with an "Full System Check". That is for sure enough to be on the safe side.

Nice greetings
Franky Bangkok

Answer 5

Buy or download a free anti-virus program that checks automatically. One option is the free one from Yahoo.

Some other great programs that get rid of the spyware are:
XoftSpy
Ad-Aware 6
HiJackThis - If you've got malicious software taking over your browser or changing your registry settings.

I don't remember the website addresses for these, but they can be easily found by doing a search for the names I stated above. Good luck.

Answer 6

A virus detector- say Norton, McAffee, or even AVG Free. now spyware and ad-aware are different, and if you need those the best is Ad-Aware SE. Or just take it to a computer geek and have him run tests for you. heh.

Answer 7

get a free or buy a antivirus program. don't get norton cuz it sucks. (firewall can be easily hacked, believe me, and doesnt catch all viruses, and plus you have to pay for it) get AVG antivirus from http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-free its free and after you install just run a virus scan and after its finished it will remove the viruses you might also consider if you havent, getting an antispyware program as well like ad-aware SE personal from http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

Answer 8

Download AVG antivirus and AdAware Spy/Adware removal.

http://free.grisoft.com/softw/70free/setup/avg71free_394a763.exe

http://dw.com.com/redir?pid=10399602&merid=69274&mfgid=69274

Answer 9

try install KAV, update virus database, do a scan of ur computer and avoid being online when suspecting u have trojans.
i say System Mechanic works better than ok.

Answer 10

6 months norton antivirus free with google package. also go to microsoft.com and see what they have for free by companies trusted. you may find some with up to a year. I switch programs everytime my limits come up.