Why is my computer infected?

Question

I keep getting a pop up in the lower right corner of my computer that says my computer is infected. is there anyway to get rid of this without having to buy some anti virus protection or something along those lines?

Answer 1

sorry, you need to have anti virus and firewall....that is if you want to have a computer.............I think yahoo has a free 30 day download...check out the downloads on yahoo and get rid of the crap that's already on your computer.

Answer 2

That is a false message given by spyware to trick you into downloading more spyware

(1) Get you self a good antivirus or a free one .
(2) If you have not already scanned your comp with spybot do that now .Update it and then run it so it gets rid of all the spyware and trojans
(3) Do an online virus scan to check if you still have any other viruses in your computer. And let us know if the online virus scan still finds any virus or spyware .

Answer 3

This is Spyware. Normally an executable called wininstall.exe will be placed in c:\

In addition running in the background is an executable that is a mixture of letters such as dsfhjfhjdsgf.exe

This changes each time the executables are launched. Furthermore, startup links are placed in the registry.

Best way to get rid of this is to use an Adware/Spyware Removal tool. Counter Spy is good, and there are a few free ones out on the net.

Answer 4

Yep, it's Smitfraud. Altho you need to have programs like anti-virus and anti-spyware that have been linked to, they usually don't touch this type of infection or only remove parts of it.

It takes a special removal tool--SmitfraudFix that you've already been linked to usually works as it is kept most up to date, but new versions of the infection come out constantly.

Try going to the following page and follow the instructions if you know the name of the fake anitvirus/utility: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html

Best bet is to get HiackThis log analysed as there is often other hard to remove baddies that come along with these: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic34773.html

Answer 5

Be careful. When you click on it, instead of removing viruses, it will download more. It is a common trick.

Go to http://www.filehippo.com/ and download one of the free anti-virus programs, avast, avg, or anti-vir.They are all good, but you can only have one anti-virus program running on your computer. Then download some spyware programs spybot search and destroy, and ad-aware.

Answer 6

It could be a virus or malware. Download, install & run these:
Free Anti-Spyware:
--SPYBOT - SEARCH & DESTROY http://www.safer-networking.org/ Download and install Spybot - Search & Destroy with its TeaTimer option.
This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with
the program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.
--AD-AWARE http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware Download and install Ad-Aware. You should use this program to scan
your computer on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.
--SpywareGuard http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html to catch and block spyware before it can execute.
--SpywareBlaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place.
Install & update SpywareBlaster with the latest definitions.
After you have updated, click the button - enable protection for all unprotected items.

Free ANTI-VIRUS and Firewall Programs:
ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE It is very important that you have anti-virus software running on your machine.
This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
--AVG Anti-Virus http://www.grisoft.com
Free ANTI-VIRUS and Firewall Programs:
--ZoneAlarm Anti-virus/Firewall http://www.zonelabs.com

Answer 7

I have had the same thing Its a HOAX virus. update your virus definitions and scan. If im correct it showed scanning through out all your dives even optical drives and and saying that they are infected. PS If you ever suspect a virus disconnect from the internet immediately and scan your computer in safe mode. I sometimes even pull the HDD out and Scan it as an external drive.

Answer 8

I don't think that's a real antivirus. Sometimes spyware acts like an antivirus to make you go to some fake virus cleaning web sites which will just give you more viruses.

Answer 9

It sounds like it could be a variant of the "Cool Web" nuisance. I'm giving you a link below from a certified Microsoft expert that was posted on a windows newsgroup--he gives many other reputable links pertaining to removal options.

Answer 10

If you don't have anti-virus software and don't plan on getting any, you might as well throw your computer away right now . . .

Download Avast or AVG for viruses, Advanced Windows Care for spyware, memory and registry cleaner . . .

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html

http://www.download.com/Advanced-WindowsCare/3000-2086-10407614.html