Is it cheaper to buy a new Dell or have the virus removed from this one?

Question

I have Dr. Antispy on my computer and cannot get it off. I have tried literally everything and cannot get it off my screen.
I bought this computer in 2004 for about $400 bucks and now this stupid Dr. Antispy is the first thing I see when I flick it on.
I thought it was legitimate, but found out its a virus. Any ideas? Should I just get a new computer or take this one to town and have a geek spend time trying to get rid of it?
I have gone thru my stuff and tried to erase it, but it is stuck on the screen and keeps running this green bar. I suppose it is trying to figure out how to hack into my financial info.
How much precautions should I take. Is this thing going to start helping someone take money from my bank accounts and credit cards? Help!!! I am about ready to close my accounts. I am worried.

I have 2 teenage children and I am sure this all started with a porn site.
I nurse, I am not a computer wizard. You know how it is, I run my butt off saving lives all day...every day.

Answer 1

Fix it yourself ...for free.

Your computer has a Smitfraud infection, they are very common and they usually do NOT come from porn sites.

The specialized removal tool called RogueRemover is said to remove it:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/database.php
Use the free version. There is absolutely no reason to use the paid, "Pro" version when you want to remove only.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/rogueremover.php

BTW, Smitfraud often gets installed when someone goes to view a video at a "not-so well-known" website. The website will say that a "special" codec is needed to view it, and asks to download it to you. If you allow the download, you will NOT be downloading a codec, you will actually download a trojan called Zlob. The moral is, never allow a website to download "stuff" unless it's a well known and respected site. And oh yeah, that video would have played just fine without that "special" codec! P2P downloads using programs such as Limewire have also been known to be infected with Smitfraud.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I'd just spend the money on a new computer and a reliable anti-virus program with a subscription for updates. You can order the software when you order the computer and it will come already installed. Most folks who go with the "free" anti-virus software end up with viruses. You get what you pay for nowadays...

If you don't want a new machine right now go with Jazz's recommendation.

Answer 3

It's definately cheaper to get rid of it using these free programs.

These are a few FREE programs (which I personally use), which work great together to check whether your computer is infected, if anything is found they will remove the problem files. Make sure to disable your own Anti-virus before installing a new one because it may cause a conflict.

Download the following:
Spybot: Search & Destroy - Application to scan for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software. Make sure to download all of the newest updates before scanning.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

Windows Defender - Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. Make sure to download all of the newest updates before scanning.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

A Free online Scan you can perform is at Trend Micro’s website. They have an online scanner that works through your internet browser to detect viruses and malware on your computer. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

AVG Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware Free Edition -http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/
Make sure to disable your own Anti-virus before installing a new one because it may cause a conflict. Make sure to download all of the newest updates before scanning.

To prevent future problems download SpywareBlaster and PC Tools Firewall Plus. Update them both and make sure to enable all protection.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

Answer 4

obtain a unfastened application glary utilities, replace it and permit it test it is going to do away with malware and trojans out of your pc AVAST Antivirus will provide help to in basic terms replace this application in the past boot scanning your laptop. those 2 will do the interest... do in basic terms it

Answer 5

go to free micosoft website. it'll clean the virus, clean the registry, delete junk files, etc.
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/center/howsafe.htm?s_cid=mscom_msrt
do a full free online antimalware scan, then go to windows updates and update your system security

http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate

Download the free microsoft antispyware program windows defender to protect your computer .
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=435BFCE7-DA2B-4A6A-AFA4-F7F14E605A0D&displaylang=en

Answer 6

take it to a pc shop and get them to throw a new hard drive in it. if you have all your software discs that came with the computer like windows and your printer software, just take it in it won't cost $400 dollars .

Answer 7

sounds like it's a rogue antivirus. Get Spyware Doctor for $29.95 or just get SpywareTerminator for free!

Answer 8

well maybe u should not use illegal fire sharing programs, like limewire. viruses just dont appear on ur computer, something has to happen for them to appear. like from limewire and other sharing sites.

Answer 9

dells are terrible computers, and the new vista OS (operating system) is terrible as well. in my opinion, fix your current computer, it'll be worth it in the long run.

Answer 10

lol how stupid