Computer virus problem?

Question

My computer has a virus-crazy things popping up everywhere and I can't get into anything. I took it to be fixed and they said it would be $399 to "clean" it and install better virus protection. Is there a way for me to do this myself? Please answer in easy to understand language as I am not that computer savvy!

Answer 1

Scan your PC with these. problem solved.


http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/...



Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.
http://www.safer-networking.org/......

http://superantispyware.com/
SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!
Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!
Make sure after you download any of these, that you update them.


Try to logon using safe mode, then download the programs above.
This is how to use safe mode.


Logon to the internet using safe mode, then download the programs above.
This is how to use safe mode.

For Windows XP

If the computer is running it is best to shut down Windows and then turn off the power.

Begin by first clicking on the Start Button and then click on Turn Off Computer.

Now click on the Turn Off red colored icon to shut down your computer system.

It is best to wait between 15 to 30 seconds before you turn your system back on.

Turn on your computer and start tapping the F8 key on your keyboard.

Some Computers may display a keyboard error message if you begin tapping F8 too quickly.

Restart your computer again and begin tapping the F8 key a brief second or two later.

When the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears, Choose the Safe Mode option and hit Enter.

Windows will now boot your computer up in Safe Mode.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

If you can still access the Internet, remove any anti-virus you currently have as you cannot have 2, then pay the money for CA Security suite which is proving brilliant on my computer and a hell of a lot less than the repair guy that tried to stiff you.
It is fully automated and as you learn it you can change some default settings yourself.
CA does not use anywhere near the resources of Norton or Mcafee and won't slow you down.

Answer 4

Since we don't know what is on your computer I'll recommend you start with doing free online scan and removal. All the sites I recommend will scan and remove the infections. These do not scan and then tell you to buy to remove the infections.

Any infections these scan cannot remove, write down the name (as the program lists it).

Trend Micro has 2 sites. Do the scan a both sites.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/free_spyware_scan.asp

The online scan link is on the left side of the page at this site.

http://www.ewido.net/en/

Kaspersky is one of the very best AV programs.

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm

Any infections that are not removed, post a new question, put the names of the infections in the Details of the question. This way we can give you more specific instructions to remove them.

Answer 5

I should change my fees! I will tell you a trick of the trade. Take that hard drive out of the pc. Take it to another pc and install it as a secondary (slave) drive. You might get a more savvy person to help with this. Then use that pc to run a full antivirus scan on your hard drive. Afterwards if you have trouble running windows, do a repair using you install disks. Once again you may need help from a more savvy person.

Answer 6

Popup blockers, such as the Yahoo and Google toolbars, will only stop web based popups. They can help somewhat but will do nothing to stop popups on a computer that is badly infected with trojan downloaders that are contacting other computers to download and deliver the pop up ads.

Try a full cleaning and dis-infection routine, if you are getting excessive popups, or are getting popups even when you are offline.

This is the one I use (it will take some time).

1. Scan for virus and remove (free online scan) with BitDefender
http://www.bitdefender.com/site/home/

2. Scan for trojans, adware and spyware and remove (free online scan) with Ewido
http://www.ewido.net/en/

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And after your computer is fully cleaned of spyware I would suggest IE-SPYAD to prevent further problems, if you are using IE browser:

"IE-SPYAD adds a long list of sites and domains associated with known advertisers, marketers, and crapware pushers to the Restricted sites zone of Internet Explorer. Once you merge this list of sites and domains into the Registry, the web sites for these companies will not be able to use cookies, ActiveX controls, Java applets, or scripting to compromise your privacy or your PC while you surf the Net. Nor will they be able to use your browser to push unwanted pop-ups, cookies, or auto-installing programs on your PC."
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm

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And if your popups say "Messenger Service" at the top Title Bar. Read Here:

Older versions of Windows (pre XP-SP2) can get "Messenger Service" popups which are caused by Microsoft leaving the almost never used Messenger Service enabled by default. These type of popups will have the words "Messenger Service" up top in the title bar. This was corrected in Windows XP- Service Pack 2.

Understand that the Windows Messenger Service is completely different from, and not in any way related to, "MSN Messenger", "Windows Live Messenger" "yahoo Messenger", or any other well-known instant messaging system. Therefore, disabling the Windows Messenger service will have no effect upon your use of any other instant messaging applications. They will continue to work without trouble.


To disable this service in older versions of Windows use the free, Shoot The Messenger from:
http://www.grc.com/stm/ShootTheMessenger.htm

Good luck.

Answer 7

Wow I can't believe they want so much money to fix it. You can do it yourself. Run the 3 scans below and the add spyware blaster to your protection. Of course you need a anti-virus program if you don't have one. I also recommend a firewall.

Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from CA.

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx


Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/ . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.


Download, update and run Adaware---http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/products/select_your_product.php

Download SpywareBlaster---http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html

SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.

It's main features include:
- Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
- Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
- Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.

For a free anti-virus try http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

A excellent firewall is one from Comodo.

The only firewall that doesn't leak
Unfortunately, most firewalls leak. But Comodo's Firewall is unique in that it passes all known leak tests to ensure the integrity of data entering and exiting your system. Comodo has put firewall through all kinds of sophisticated tests to ensure its firewall powerful enough to ward off these attacks with default settings. No other firewall has had to work this hard. Take this test yourself.

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

If you need more step by step help, please email me.

Answer 8

I woulod take any of the aboves advice country i dont know much either about computers but learning and hell for 399 bucks you could have bought another computer

Answer 9

Try rebooting your pc into riskless mode, and do an entire experiment along with your Panda Antivirus, it must be ready to delete to delete the dossier, as soon as if this system does not paintings, keep in mind of the direction that Panda Antivirus can not entry and use "unlocker" to release the dossier so you'll be able to delete it. do exactly a seek in google.

Answer 10

Scan the PC with a standard antivirus. If you need one, please visit the following site and select a suitable free antivirus.
http://tinyurl.com/ymctqq
You can visit the following site , if you want a more effective antivirus . You have to pay for it!
http://tinyurl.com/ykzjyp
You also try to select and install a suitable anti spy ware from the following link to protect the Pc against spyware attacks.
http://tinyurl.com/ygvyzh