My Dad keeps screwing?

Question

the family computer up. Is there some kinda program i can download of the internet to sort out what may be a virus??? It needs to be free cos I am a poor student. Internet access is limited...i can only get into Yahoo! for a few mins and it crashes. Please help me get back on answers...and before you say anything i have asked a mate to post the question for me!!! Thanks....x

Answer 1

have a friend download avg virus protection
then put it on your computer
then run a scan

Answer 2

If you are a student then you can most likely get a copy of a good anti-virus from your university. It is usually a free service whilst you are a student and will expire when you graduate. My uni uses sophos so I have downloaded it free onto my computer via the uni website. If you're computer is desktop and not accessing the net via the uni network then go to the IT site or the library and ask them about getting a copy on disc. You need to install with your uni passwords etc. They do discs at my uni for £1 from the vending machines. Failing this, AVG and Spybot are good recommendations from a number of other answerers.

Answer 3

I assume you are using one of the Windows operating systems which your dad is frequently messing up. You say also you are on limited budget.
May I suggest that you check out Linux. You can get it free by downloading it or buy a copy of a Linux magazine from your newsagent (e.g. Linux Format). Try SUSE or Mandrake Linux. On most distributions you get an office suite and other useful tools to access the internet. When you install it, keep the root password from your dad and create a user (differnt from yourself and root) for him to use. He can mess up his settings, but unless he gets in a root user, he should not cause too much damage. Linux is also less prone to virus attacks and there are also free virus checkers, as well as loads of other stuff.

Answer 4

I think the best free programs are AVAST and ZONE ALARM.
Avast home edition is free but you would have to email them for a key after 60 days.
Zone alarm is a firewall that will block programs from accessing the internet. You need to allow the programes you use and block all the other crap.

Answer 5

get Avast! - its the best free anti virus and updates automatically for free whenever its updated (every other day)also has a pop up blocker

Crap cleaner- hides in ur recyle bin - rigt click and "run crap cleaner" (i.e. each time before u log off) to delete all temp internet files and any dodgy bits

and add a firewall make sure its turned on - Zone alarm or the built in one in windows

Answer 6

If your internet isn't stable enough for you to hold a web page up for more then a minute or two then you'll have a lot of trouble trying to download a program.
If you have a friend that has the internet working download AVG for free. http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2
Then put it on your pc.

Answer 7

Defragment the the drive using system tools in the accessories portion of start menu - programs. Also do the other stuff - like scan disk. Tell your dad to stop downloading files like "freeporno.avi".

Answer 8

http://spywareterminator.com you need to restart your PC & click F8 key till gives you screen to start in safe mode.use your arrows to navigate up to option start in safe mode with networking.then you will be able to use the internet to download this free tool.it is very powerfull and removes trojens-adware-virus-spyware. and you will also need to run a defrag & disk clean up, from the system tools-accessories.all this can be done in safe mode.the virus cant kick you off when in safe mode. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 9

You may need to switch off System Restore as back up files may be hiding in there, and it will just restore itself. Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore.
Run your anti virus and anti spyware in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode repeatedly press the F8 key after the bios screen loads but before Windows loads. You'll know if you made it because the screen will be at 800 x 600 and your pc will be slow.

Then beef up your security. Its easier to prevent malware getting on to your sytem in the first place rather than trying to remove it. All the following programs are free for home use;

You need to install one firewall.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall OR
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo firewall.

You need to install one anti virus;
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ -AVG anti virus or
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

You need all three anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware. Use the Teatimer settings to protect Internet Explorer, and the Immuniser to stop malware getting on your pc.
Also use Microsoft Defender and their online scans.

And these are useful utilities;
http://www.mozilla.com/ - Firefox web browser.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
Winpatrol is a handy utility that manages cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -MacAffee Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
https://www.grc.com - Shields Up security site, check your firewall works.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 10

Agree with all the above, but try making Google or some other search engine your home page, and see if it still happens. My friend changed, and his similar problem, was cured