I have a big problem with my computer. Can anybody help?

Question

I receive messages from Windows Security Update Center saying that my compueter is vulnerable, unprotected and unsecure. It also says it is at a high risk and that all my private information is exposed. Last message received was saying that my computer was currently sending private information to a remote computer! How did that happen? I have Norton Antivirus Professional 2003, but my subscription was not renewed, so may be that's why I'm exposed to viruses. I've also found that my computer was infected with 3 viruses, trojan, etc. but I managed to get rid of them using the antivirus program. Can anyone help me pls? and let me know what to do?? Do I need an IT professional to fix my computer? What can I do??!!

Answer 1

Try a online antivirus scanner and a online anti-adware/malware/spyware scanner in safe mode with network to clean up your computer BEFORE you download anything.

To get in safe mode tap F8 when booting you computer.
Choose "Safe mode with network".
Go to Start – Run - type iexplore http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html Enter(ok).
Do a full system scan. If something is found, delete it, reboot and do the same again in safe mode with network.
When that scan does not find anything you reboot again in safe mode with network.
Go to Start – Run – type iexplore http://www.ewido.net/en/ Enter(ok).
Do a full scan. If you find something, delete it, reboot and do the same again in safe mode with network.

**NOTE: Do NOT do anything else with your computer when scanning. This because you can start virus/adware/spyware/malware manually.

When no one of these scanners are showing anything your computer is clean and you can reboot back to normal mode.
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Now you need to get a antivirus program, a firewall and some spyware/adware/malware removers if you don't have it.
I use Norton Internet Security on my desktop running XP Home SP2.
On my laptop i have Ubuntu 7.04. No security needed in Linux, but i have antivirus and firewall.
Also run Windows update http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/

Here are some free programs.

Antivirus Protection.
BitDefender Anti-Virus Free. http://www.bitdefender.com/PRODUCT-14-en--BitDefender-8-Free-Edition.html
Avast Anti-Virus Free. http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
AVG Anti-Virus Free. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5
Avast Virus Cleaner - free virus removal tool. http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Firewall Protection.
ZoneAlarm Firewall Free. http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?dc=34std&ctry=&lang=nb&lid=trial_zaFamily
Easy-to-use firewall blocks hackers and other unknown threats.
* Systematically identifies hackers and blocks access attempts.
Automatically makes your computer invisible to anyone on the Internet.
Use ZoneAlarm if you normally use Windows Firewall.
Disable Windows Firewall after downloading ZoneAlarm if it's not done automatically.


Ad-Aware 2007 Free remains the most popular anti-spyware product for computer users around the world, with nearly one million downloads every week. Our free anti-spyware version provides you with advanced protection against spyware that secretly attaches and takes control of your computer, resulting in aggressive advertising pop-ups, sluggish computer activity, even identity theft through stolen bank details, passwords, and credit card account numbers. If you want real-time scanning capabilities, consider upgrading to Ad-Aware 2007 Plus for real-time protection against spyware, all the time.

SUPERAntiSpyware Free. http://www.superantispyware.com/

AVG Anti-spyware Free. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5

Spybot-S&D Free. http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
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.

AVG Anti-Rootkit Free. http://free.grisoft.com/doc/39798/lng/us/tpl/v5
AVG Anti-Rootkit is a powerful tool with state-of-the-art technology for detection and removal of rootkits. rootkits are used to hide the presence of a malicious object like Trojans or keyloggers on your computer. If a threat uses rootkit technology to hide itself it is very hard to find the malware on your PC. AVG Anti-Rootkit gives you the power to find and delete the rootkit and to uncover the threat the rootkit is hiding.

CCleaner free.
CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast and contains NO spyware or adware. http://www.ccleaner.com/

*NOTE: Only have one antivirus program and one firewall installed on your computer.
Anti-adware/malware/spyware are ok to have more of.
Also scan with online scanners sometimes.

Hope this was helpful.
Good luck.

JTB

Answer 2

Most of those warning that you think you are getting from the "Security center" are actually phony, bogus warnings caused by a malware. Probably a spyware which an anti-virus would not detect.

These "warnings" are actually advertising trying to goad you into buying some useless rogue program to "fix" the non-existent problem.

These type of infections often require specialised removal techniques. IMHO, you probably could use an IT pro (NOT the Geek Squad!)

If you wish to try removal of the infection(s) yourself, you could run both of these on-line scans. Both are free and excellent at detecting and removing malware free of charge. There is no need to un-install your current protections before using these.

1. Scan for virus, worms, dialers, etc. and remove (free online scan, no downloaded program) with BitDefender's Online Scanner
http://www.bitdefender.com/

2. Scan for trojans, adware, and spyware and remove (free online scan, no downloaded program) with Ewido Online Scanner ( now known as AVG Anti-Spyware). This is NOT the same as AVG Anti-Virus.
http://www.ewido.net/en/

These scans will take quite a bit of time. The time is necessary to clean-up an infected computer.

New viruses are created by the "black-hats" each and every hour of each and every day 24/7. An anti-virus that is expired and not receiving new virus signature updates puts a computer as severe risk.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I`m afraid you really are the source of your own problems. As a computer user for this long you must have known that going anywhere near the internet without adequate virus protection etc is madness.

Forget the other answers the solution is fairly simple - offload all your personal stuff to a cd / dvd then reformat your hard disk from a start up floppy to make sure you get everything. I strongly advise you get a much more recent version of Windows if your machine can handle it. I`m strongly against free virus checkers etc as they are NEVER as up to date or kept as up to date as the market leaders. I personally prefer Norton although I know a lot of people have problems setting it up properly.
Make sure you install in the correct order - Windows first and then before you even update it add the protection - whichever you choose - and check regularly throughout the installation of all your software. Get your virus checker completely up to date and then and only then check the disk containing your personal stuff before you even think about putting it back.

I hope this helps - please be aware that some spam - malware etc mimics Microsoft routines to try and make you buy their inferior programs to clear out non existent problems they say exist.

Answer 4

I'd say all those messages you are receiving are spyware, pop-ups and the like, not messages from Microsoft.

Untinstall completely your Norton AV. Install a free AV like AVG. Get some spyware/adware tools like Adaware, Yahoo Anti Spy, Microsoft Defender. A good place to start is www.majorgeeks.com. Look under security.

Good luck.

Answer 5

If it really was from the Windows Security center, you would want to make sure you do have an up to date a/v and firewall. I would also get a good anti spy/ad ware program as some spy/ad ware will say its part of windows to get you to buy something. If this is all legit, you may either need someone to come fix it or just reinstall windows.

Answer 6

The best awy is to restore your Windows... You can clean your pc with antivirus program too but the antivirus programs cant help you all the time to delete the viruses,trojans,etc.

Answer 7

First of all, please don't panic.

Please use the links given below to download and install your free of cost Home Users' Edition of Avast.

The second link will give you a choice of skins for you to select the one you like and use that.

Trust me, you'll be happy you did this.

Please uninstall Norton before running Avast, though.

Also, download and install the freebie Windows Care utilities at http://iobit.com

They're compatible with Avast and help you clean up the junk from your system and have it work optimally.

All the best.

Cheers!

ST

Answer 8

Repair your OS. If Win XP, follow this:
http://www.informationweek.com/shared/printableArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897
Worked for me thrice in different PCs and w/ one of our peers here.

Reformat is for the weak-hearted and the desperate.

Answer 9

reinstall windows reformat

Answer 10

install free virus security at www.avg.com & free spyware at www.lavasoft.com