please help! fixing computer virus?

Question

when I click on the internet program on my computer one of two different homepages comes up even though its set to yahoo. first I got a page saying my computer is infected and the option to clear it by downloading some anti virus thing. I logged out and tried it again but then I got these really disgusting porn images and another offer to get rid of them. does this mean someone has hacked in to my computer and can I fix it myself or do I have to call professionals?

we bought norton anti virus a few months back and it somehow disappeared off our computer so we cant scan for viruses anymore

Answer 1

on your interenet browser right click, check properties. on the general tab verify if the home page shows something either than yahoo. if so, change it back to yahoo.com. then select to clear history. delete cookies and delete files. if this does not work.. check for a trojan. that is really what this is more so than a virus.

hope this helps.

Answer 2

Sounds like you have adware or malware on your computer rather than a virus. We installed McAfee virus protection but that does not help with adware and malware so we first went in to find out if any programs have been added that we did not add and deleted them. You also have to find any program files that are there and delete them also. If you have a shredder on your computer (like what comes with the McAfee program) you can send the ones that won't delete to the shredder. It sounds like it may be the same thing that we had. If so then when you get those annoying little icons on your tool bar that look official and have a message about a virus etc. etc. DO NOT click on them this is how they spread. Instead go straight into your programs and delete anything installed resently that you did not put there. Also if you have downloaded anything lately that may be questionable as to whether or not it may have brought this to your computer and it is something that you can get back if you are wrong ....then delete it too. Sometimes these things come to your compter through e-mail, msging, and even pics that you have added to your computer and they do not show signs of anything for a few days. In that way you can not always tell for certain which program has attacked your computer. What ever you do, do not trust the homepage screens that come up to help you. They are the ones that likely installed the Adware anyway!

Good Luck

Answer 3

Do the free online virus scan at this site:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Download Zone Alarm:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Then download, update and run these two programs to get rid of spyware on your computer:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Click on Tools \ Internet Options \ Clear History \ Delete files and offline content \ Delete Cookies \ OK \ OK \ File \ Exit.

Start \ Programs \ Accessories \ System Tools \ Run Disk Cleanup \ Then via the same path, Run Disk Defragmenter.

Now restart your computer.

You still need an antivirus program but if you've used Norton on this computer you're stuck with it. It won't let you use a free anti-virus like Avast - but you can try: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

Please be careful about the kind of sites you visit and don't open emails from people you don't know.

I wish you luck.

Answer 4

Most likely the program causing the pop-ups are the same thing saying you can fix it by downloading the anti-virus software.

But don't worry, there's a couple things you can do.

First go to your control panel>add/remove programs and see if there is anything that you know isn't supposed to be there you can remove. (Such as toolbars or adware.)

If there's nothing or if your not sure try running a spyware/adware sweeper. If you don't have one Ad-Aware SE personal is great. It's free to download and finishes sweeping a lot quicker than other programs. Follow the instructions on the program to sweep your computer.

Next run your anti-virus program. Norton-Antivirus is most popular but I use AVG antivirus and have had better luck with that than Norton (AVG is also free to download).

After this is done raise the security level of your browser by going to tools>internet options>security to prevent this from happening again.

I hope this helps, good luck!

Answer 5

Do this..and your computer will be fine again. dont do System Restore to get back to the day Windows was working fine. It will work but will not remove the virus. Find or buy a USB Flash drive and save some of the important files, folders, and photos if they are still ok to access. Then, you will need to reformat and reinstall so find your Windows Installation CD which usually came with the PC when you bought it. Dont worry, if you cant find it and you cant go online, go to your friend's PC, library or work PC to go online. Then go to their homepage HP, emachine, or Dell or whatever your PC is. Then, call their customer service number and tell them you need an Installation CD to reinstall Windows. It usually 10-25 bucks. Before you call them, write down the Product ID number which is on the Sticker behind your computer. They will need that. Then, just put the installation CD then reinstall Windows. It will ask you if you want to install Windows on the same partition or create new partition. Select create new partition, so it will reformat the Hard drive and reinstall on newly made partition. There you go..you have a brand new P.C again my friend

Answer 6

You probally have some spyware going on. Do a google search for removal of it. Make sure it is one that will remove it and not just scan it. There is some free trials to that I would do. Then go out and buy Norton or something good.

Answer 7

Try using Spybot, here's the link:

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot_Search_and_Destroy/1043809773/1

Answer 8

I think it can be a Malware.You can check your system free online scan at http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp if any problems found try to fix with it.Note:Scanning may take long time

Answer 9

You have a hijacker! Someone is viewing porn on your PC! Run your spyware removal tools.

Answer 10

run a virus scan