Infected or not?

Question

My husband was using the computer yesterday when he got a message window that said our computer had been infected by some kind of spyware. He went to the Microsoft website and downloaded a tool to check for viruses, that said that we weren't infected. Our Norton AntiVirus says we aren't infected, but the computer is running really slowly now. The screen that pops up says something like "PestControl" and has a ladybug on it. Has anyone seen this before? Anyone have any idea as to what I should do about this?? Hubby needs the computer for college.

Answer 1

PestControl is the issue...

you need a good popup blocker or try (Firefox 2.0) or install the yahoo! or google popup blocker.

other things u can do is install spybot and run adaware, both free...

i personally think Norton is over-bloated. AVG or AVAST consume less resource and are FREE, and spywareguard also FREE

- install one of the antivirus (AVG or AVAST)
- install spywareguard,
- remove Norton (or try to)
- install and run Adaware
- install and run spybot S&D
- install and run Spywareblaster

cant find them? goto download.com and search them... (read the reviews and description of what each does)

Answer 2

It sounds like your computer is infected with spyware not a virus. Norton AntiVirus won't pick up spyware infections, only viruses. You need to use a spyware scanner to remove the infection.

There is an article at;

http://www.goitexpert.com/entry.cfm?entry=Make-SpyBot-run-automatically

That describes step by step how to use a free utility to scan for and clean spyware infections automatically in the background so that you don't have this problem again.

Answer 3

Maybe you don't have a virus, but you sure got some spyware, adware, or malware on there.

First, you need to get rid of any browser add-ons you got. Delete them from the Add/Remove Program in Control Panel. Then Get Ad-Aware SE & Spybot Search & Destroy (both free) and run them. Make sure your Norton is set to automatic update of virus definitions.... likewise auto update for the others.

Finally, run disk cleanup, reboot, then run disk degragment.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Run the 3 scans below to rid your machine of nasty stuff. Then add spyware blaster to prevent it from being installed in the first place.


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/virus...



Run Spybot and Adaware weekly.


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/adaw...



Now to prevent spyware from being installed in the first place....




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.

Answer 5

That pop up is from spyware that is trying to get you to buy spyware remover.

follow this link http://fileforum.betanews.com/download/Spybot_Search_and_Destroy/1043809773/1

install and run it, you should be fine after that.