My computer is infected - help!?

Question

I'm not so sure how it go infected but the only way I know is that there are SOOOO many pop-ups about how to get rid of the virus and the background of my computer is like an ad that I can't get rid of for some safe protection scan. I dont know which my computer is suggesting and which are like set up. I'd like to get my background back and my clean computer.
I was thinking I could do that thing where it takes the computer back to the date where it was working but I think you lose some of the newer data but I dont mind I dont have much new data on here anyway - the problem is this is lab top and I'm not so sure how to .... I can on my computer ?
I need some tips . Either how to do what I talked about above or just a way to make my computer work :(

Answer 1

Scan your PC with these. Both are free and safe to use.

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.
http://www.spybot.info/

SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones.Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!

http://superantispyware.com/

* You will probably recieve several answer to you question. Whoever helped you the most,please come back and give that person Best Answer.

Answer 2

Is the scam advertising trying to sell you, one (or more) of these useless products? If it is one of these, then it is likely an infection called Smitfraud that is causing the phony warnings. It is scam advertising trying to swindle you. And a link to a free removal tool is down at the bottom.

AdwarePunisher,
AdwareSheriff,
AlphaCleaner,
Antispyware Soldier,
AntiVermeans,
AntiVermins,
AntiVerminser,
AntivirusGolden,
AVGold,
BraveSentry,
MalwareWipe,
MalwareWiped,
MalwaresWipeds,
MalwareWipePro,
MalwareWiper,
PestCapture,
PestTrap,
PSGuard,
quicknavigate.com,
Registry Cleaner,
Security iGuard,
Smitfraud,
SpyAxe,
SpyCrush,
SpyDown,
SpyFalcon
SpyGuard,
SpyHeal,
SpyHeals,
SpyLocked,
SpyMarshal,
SpySheriff,
SpySoldier,
Spyware Vanisher,
Spyware Soft Stop,
SpywareLocked,
SpywareQuake,
SpywareKnight,
SpywareSheriff,
SpywareStrike,
Startsearches.net,
TitanShield Antispyware,
Trust Cleaner,
UpdateSearches.com,
Virtual Maid,
VirusBlast,
VirusBurst,
Win32.puper,
WinAntiSpyPro
WinHound


If so, then you most likely have a serious Smitfraud infection and a free removal tool called SmitFraudFix with the removal procedure is here:
http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php

More infomation and another free removal tool called RogueFix can be found here:
http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm

Most "All-Purpose" malware apps such as AVG, Norton, Spybot etc unfortunatly can not remove or even detect this vile pest called Smitfraud.

Good luck.

Answer 3

The best way to clear everything up when you finally think virus and spyware has already taken over you is to completely reinstall the operating system. Yes, it's a lot of work but there's nothing safer than that. Restoring might work, but you don't know when it all gets started.
Either to restore or to reinstall, do the following step first.
1. Save all your important data, files, music, movie, etc on an external harddrive or on a CD/DVD.
2A. Windows XP usually have a restore point regardless of desktop or laptop. Go to Start menu -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore. If you cannot find the short cut, try to find the file named "rstrui.exe" under your system root. Default path is %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
2B. To completely re-install your computer, you'll need your current O/S disk. Before reinstall, remember that you'll lose EVERYTHING, including your softwares, data, etc so don't forget to get all the important software disks and backup all your data files before you start doing this step. There won't be any return once you start it, so try to make sure you get everything. If you buy your laptop from Dell, HP, Compaq, Sony, etc, they usually include the restore disk in the box as well as all other software that come with it when you buy the laptop, so try to look for them. If you cannot find it, try to get it on the manufacturer website, or try to contact customer service to request a restore disk. Sometime, dell laptops has an option to create your own restore disk, so you can look for it in your laptop for that option and create one, and start re-installing it to the date you get your computer.
Note: If you happen to re-install the O/S without using the manufacturer restore disk by following step 2B, ask for one of your friends who know their way around installing O/S because a simple mistake can completely ruin your entire laptop. If you can't find any or you don't have any experience, I recommend just use step 2A and restore it to a previous date. :)

Answer 4

Go to www.download.com There you will find anti virus, adware and spyware software. Sounds like that is why your pc is acting the way it is. I recomend, AVG anti-virus 7.5, Adaware SE Personal. These are all free to download and do a good job protecting your pc. There are many to choose from. Pick the ones that you feel comfortable with. Also, If you are running Windows, it would be best to check automatic updates. Could be your pc is out of date, one more thing, check your firewall settings. Good luck!

Answer 5

You may want to get some experienced help with this. The easiest way to remedy a problem of this nature will be having someone look at it that has done it before. If you know someone who has experience removing viruses you may want to get Remote Assistance (using Windows Messenger)from that person to help you.

If you don't know anyone - you can contact me and I will help you.

If you would like to venture this on your own, I would start with the following 6 programs. Get them downloaded and run all of them. You need to remove the virus.

Avast - run it at startup and safe mode
AVG Anti-Virus Free Version - let it run everyday after startup
AVG Anti-Spyware Free Version - same as above
Hijackthis - this will create a log and you will paste the log into an online analyzer - I recommend this site: http://www.hijackthis.de/en
Toolbar Cop - if you find you are not comfortable with this one - don't use it
Tweaknow Regcleaner - only delete what it tells you is safe to delete (they will be green)


Hope that helps - contact me if you need more free guidance
Bri Vahling - Certified IT Tech
[e-mail]

Answer 6

I had that problem, only mine was Norton's! A Norton's AntiVirus pop up kept popping up telling me my virus protection would expire soon. I uninstalled Norton's. I downloaded Avast, which is free for 60 days, scanned my hard drives and I had over 120 infected files. So far, my computer is clean and the pop ups have stopped. I will never pay for Norton's again!!
www.avast.com

Answer 7

If you have a go back software then you should be able to do the go back function. It sounds like you have been hit by pop up's what is your security software? Does it have a pop up blocker function? Hit CTRL ALT DELE and check what process are running. Your pop up should show up here and you can disable the function until you figure out which one got you. I suggest that you may want to get a copy of spy sweeper to take care of the problem.

Answer 8

I hate to tell you this but using System Restore to to go back in time when the computer was in good shape isn't really going to help!!! As a matter of fact it would make the computer more fragmented and slow!

But if you install your computer as advised on the website below you will not have any problems for a very long time!!!

http://computersguide.blogspot.com/2007/01/install-computers.html

Answer 9

I incredibly have had a similar element Its a HOAX virus. replace your virus definitions and test. If im properly suited it confirmed scanning by out all your dives even optical drives and and asserting that they are contaminated. playstation in case you ever suspect a virulent disease disconnect from the internet right now and test your computing device in risk-free mode. I on occasion even pull the HDD out and test it as an exterior force.

Answer 10

Scan your system with the Free Version Home Users Scanner found at...


http://www.superantispyware.com

Do not open programs or chat while scanning with this scanner. Scan your system fully and remove the infections the program finds.