Computer Help!?

Question

If you have a virus will you be able to tell within a week? I'm afraid my computer might have a virus because sometimes it has error reports, but it has it more frequently then some other computers I've been on.

Please do not be angry with my stupidity :(

Answer 1

It would be much easier to help you if we know a few things:

What version of Windows do you have?

What antivirus software are you using?

Answer 2

It depends on the virus. some relay information back to companies to see what website your going on. some destroy data too. As for when it might start giving you issues it just depends. Some wait for a preset amount of time before going off, some are instant, and other even wait for the host to tell the virus to execute.
Your best bet is an antivirus software. Some cost $ though.

I have heard great reviews about this one but never actually used it. And it's free!

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10761481.html?tag=lst-3

Answer 3

Dont panic, getting rid of a virus isnt life or death depending on tha virus, here are some tips.

1. Run your computer in safe mode, hit F8 when it first comes on.
2. Run an AV (Antivirus) software scan on your computer, if you have one on your computer, if not u may have to buy one.
3. Search out whats next, clean your internet cookies in properties, and your registry
3. Be up to date with your AV, run system scans frequently


Hope this works ;)!!!

Answer 4

REMOVE VIRUS/TROJAN/WORM\S

getting rid of these pests is a real P.I.A.!!! need LOTS of patience too!!

are you SURE you have any of the above or MIGHT it just be those ****** pop up ads?

those are Messenger Spam! you know,you have a quad-trillion trouble makers and they can be removed for just $$$$$

start--administrative tools--services
alerter service
right click--select properties--select disable from drop down menu

repeat this process for messenger service

remove virus/trojan/worm:

start--control panel--internet options--privacy--advanced--override
select:
allow 1st party cookies
BLOCK 3rd [ tracking ] party cookies

delete cookies/history/temp files from internet options general page

empty prefetch and temp file folders
start--control panel--[ XP ] local disk drive (c), [ Vista ] O.S. (c)--windows
temp folder-- [ XP ] file, [ Vista ] organize--select all
press delete key on keyboard

now go OFFLINE and power back up under SAFE MODE.
while booting up,press f-8 key till you get SAFE MODE utility selection

1st thing,turn OFF system restore where nasties lurk.
XP:
start
all programs--accessories--system tools--system restore
settings--drive (c)--setting--check the OfF box [ while there,set slider to 3% to recover 10% disk space ]

Vista:
start--control panel--performance,information & tools--open disk clean link--select O.S. (c)--select more options--select system restore and shadow copies--select clean up

do a disk clean:
XP:
start--all programs--accessories--system tools--disk clean--disk drive (c)--click delete--click delete again to finish

Vista:
start--control panel--performance,information & tools--select disk clean--select disk drive [ O.S. c ]--click ok--click delete--click ok

HOPEFULLY,you have an anti-virus--anti-rootkit blocker as well as at least 2 anti-spyware removers installed.
run those. if you haven't proper protect installed,before you go offline,download them from here
http://browseraddons.friendpages.com
i'd also HIGHLY reccomend downloading Firefox web browser and it's attending security extensions.

once you are cleaned up,return to system restore and create a new,clean restore point to work from in the future.

anti-virus shield:
Avast
anti spyware shield:
Spyware Blaster
AVG anti spyware
anti hijacker:
Arovax
file cleaner:
Cleaner
registry cleaner:
RegSeeker

see above link to download these

also download Firefox and the security extensions you'll find there