is this a virus?

Question

my computer fights me everytime i try to open a webpage saying that some virus is blocking it and it runs really slow. but i used 3 different virus scans and it says there is no virus. what else could it be?

Answer 1

Go here: http://www.pcpitstop.com/
Click on the yellow key and test anonymously. It is safe and might help you with a diagnosis. I use it all the time.

Answer 2

Sounds Viral but it could easily be malware, grayware, spyware, etc.

I will sugest some antivirus programs and links but if the virus blocks them add details so I can get you the link to the low level recovery tools I use. If you cannot open these programs I am about to give it is a mediocre infection. It then needs some special tools.

First an Anti-Virus... I suggest AVG free edition due to the fact you can use it now. In the future after this is fixed you may want to get Norton or MacAfee.

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/

For the Anti-SpyWare I use SpyBot SD but Adware should work fine. Here is the link for SpyBot SD.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

If it detects nothing you may have a rootkit or a corrupt/bad installation. Give additional Details if possible.

EDIT:
Please note I beta tested and tested the release version of the Microsoft One Care and other related scanners and found them buggy and not a good replacement for other commercial scanners. I strongly do not recommend that scanner as they need a while to get a updated version out with less bugs. Once they do that I will recommend them. (This is commentary on another answer.)

Answer 3

unfortunatly, yes you do have a virus

some viruses these days, are written in a way that they are "undetectiable" by older and un-updated anti virus programs.

to understand what is going wrong, I might hafto explain how an anti virus works....

anti viruses use definitions. definitions are a master list of known viruses, the code, and the payload they deliver.

Now if you do not keep this information up to date, your computer will be less efficient at determaning good programs from bad programs.

Sometimes viruses are released and infect computers before they are discovered by antivirus programs, these viruses are called 0days...

Now alot of people write programs (viruses) that disable the virus definitions of the major anti virus programs (norton, avg, etc etc.)

So my guess is that you got a zeroday to disable your AV, and you are unable to flush it out...



how to fix this?

download a different antivirus program, (which does not mean that it will not be defeated also...).

Your best bet is to do a system recovery,.. or format and start over with a clean slate.



good luck ! and I hope this helps



=)

Answer 4

I suggest that you try to carryout system restore to a day previous to the day when there was no virus or any problems. It may be a few weeks or months back. You have to decide the date. Detailed instructions are posted at http://fixit.in/systemrestore.html
The problem is likely to be solved. Then,You insatll a standard antivirus soft ware such as Norton, AVG , Avast ( free antivirus software and Ad-aware, Ewido ( free spyware removers). You can download free softwares at
http://fixit.in/antivirus.html and http://fixit.in/spywareremover.html

Answer 5

yeah, im pretty sure that it is, maybe your virus scans dont work, or it could be spyware.try a scan for both virus and spyware

Answer 6

Ad-ware or spy ware down load Ad Ad-Aware SE personal and get rid of it. It's free.

http://www.download.com/3405-8022-5153545.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5

Answer 7

free scan and free removal from Microsoft
http://safety.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?s_cid=sah

Answer 8

maybe a spyware or worm. use webroot or ad aware and check it out

Answer 9

call a local "Geek squade" near you they fix thoes thangs

Answer 10

you shoul try the spy sweeper that my help with you problem