I have seen this far too often and been attacked by unscrupulous persons. They will even tell you to reformat or wipe a disk and reinstall Windows just to get rid of a virus. It is very absurd and "i feel your pain" that it is bad enough getting infected by bad guys but to get shucked by the good (supposedly) ?
It is very, very, very simple dealing with all malware in the spyware catagory. It is even simpler for viruses and worms (antivirus catagory). Two approaches. First, understanding that free stuff does not protect the machine, you can start right off by purchasing paid subscription antispyware. Paid subscription (shareware) security software (antivirus, antispyware) activates real time protection blocking virtually all threats - end of story. However, if you are going to purchase online you must definately secure the pc first. Enter the second alternative..... try these (below) first and clean the pc. I am assuming you have paid antivirus ? (Ok if not you are brand new). Install, update to latest defintions and do a full scan. Quarantine results that you are not sure are malware (adware/spyware) or valid software, and delete what is malware. Afterwards review the Quarantine items and if valid - click Restore. If malware, click delete. Ask, you'll get answers.
Ad-Aware [working-freeware, personal use - and premium version]
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Ad-Aware Personal provides advanced protection from known data-mining, aggressive advertising, Trojans, dialers, malware, browser hijackers, and tracking components. This software is downloadable free of charge for personal use.
Microsoft AntiSpyware is now Windows Defender
[working-freeware from Microsoft]
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
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. It features Real-Time Protection, a monitoring system that recommends actions against spyware when it's detected, and a new streamlined interface that minimizes interruptions and helps you stay productive.
SUPERAntiSpyware [working-freeware, and premium version]
http://www.superantispyware.com/
SUPERAntiSpyware scans your computer for known Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, KeyLoggers, HiJackers and many other types of threats, and allows you to remove or quarantine them. It offers daily (manual) definition updates, as well as home page hijack protection and customizable scan options. Furthermore, the program includes a Repair feature that allows you to restore various settings which are often changed by malware programs, but usually not corrected by simply removing the parasite. The free version lacks real-time blocking and protection as well as several other advanced options.
a-squared trojan remover (Free Working Version for life and Proactive Premium Version)
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
a-squared (a-squared) is a complementary product to antivirus software and desktop firewalls on MS Windows computers. Antivirus software specializes in detecting classic viruses. Many available products have weaknesses in detecting other malicious software (Malware) like Trojans, Dialers, Worms and Spyware (Adware). a-squared fills the gap that malware writers exploit. Automatic updates: In a-squared Free the updater must be run manually. The auto-update feature of a-squared Personal checks hourly for new available updates and installs them automatically. a-squared Free is freeware! You can download and use it completely for free. You are also allowed to distribute it to third parties. To be able to use it, you only must set up a free a-squared Account, to get access to the update server. (Note you register by simple sign up to activate definitions downloads free).
The problem with free stuff (like above) is that there is no protection (with the exception of Microsoft Windows Defender with active shields) - it is just scanning after the fact. Spyware installations can transmit practically everything in your pc and what you're doing back to cybercriminals. SEE http://www.bluecollarpc.net/threatsfaq.html
Another problem is : (example):
Security software disabler Trojan
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/security_software_disabler_Trojan.html
So that free stuff can be disabled with no problem at all if you do not have real time protection shareware in place and also including a "real" firewall - NOT the very, very, very basic Windows XP Firewall or in Vista. This was just a basic help against hackers offered free from Microsoft. Tooooo many people get and are told to get free stuff and never pay a nickle for software. These are either malicious cyber criminals, newbies without a clue, or juvenile pranksters for bragging rights as they used to say about the original viruses and hacks - "kiddie scripts". Certainly NONE of them are using free stuff unless they are newbies and have not learned better yet. An unprotected and unpatched computer system today is being rifled and hijacked right into malware botnets or "zombie networks". Now you "google" those terms to see real world and what is going on in the cyber criminal underground. You must also be running a fully patched pc at Windows Updates. There are security holes that get patched by Microsoft through Windows Updates - your computer lifeline. These severe holes invite the "zero day" exploits and threats engineered for this. There were three major ones in the past 18 to 24 months including the WMFmetafile, VML, and .ANICursor exploits. Malware writers were quick to infect many machines with an all too familiar event that are "ransomwares" that hijack the computer system with fake security warnings and pop ups to purchase fake antispyware programs to get rid of them which were actually more malware. Some --- SpyFalcon, SpyAxe, SpywareQuake and so on. The "ransom" charged was like 30 to 40 dollars to get rid of the pop up warniong and in the toolbar. However, there was also getting IDTheft and entire maxxed out cards within the same day because with a spyware keylogger - it will transmit every single keystroke you type on the keyboard. So when you log in financially, they have all information coupled with snapshots of what you are viewing. The results are just in for 2007 - related - with "Phishing" scams that were fake financial websites people were duped into logging into from links in UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email or spam) that appeared as valid communications for financial accounts.... result ?
SEE
$3.2 billion lost in phishing attacks in 2007
Gartner survey reveals US losses to phishing gangs.
FULL http://www.virusbtn.com/news/2007/12_18.xml
You are to have your computer fully patched with Windows Updates set to Automatic and running Windows XP Service Pack Two and Internet Explorer 7 or Vista. Everything else is no longer supported by Microsoft. You are to have paid subscription antivirus, antispyware, and firewall installed and updated continually protecting 24/7 - 365 period. Anyone who tells you different is either a newbie, inane hack, or a cyber criminal. They'll make fair silver tongued arguments too - the cybercriminals are mind guerillas working the "streets". Wake up all....
webmaster http://www.BlueCollarPC.Net
PS..... Cut to the chase... The top three antispyware programs for several years have been Trend Micro Antispyware, Webroot Spysweeper, and CounterSpy. Check lab results posted to public. There is NO one else in the same ball park, or in other words these are rated as 95 to 100 percent effective and everyone else is below 95 percent effective. These are from real Labs using crash test dummy computers to attempt to infect them with the different prioducts and results are posted to the public. See the VB100 Award (tops) for antivirus. My recommendation is Trend Micro Internet Security 2008 suite (tops). Webroot has formed a suite (all three - firewall, antivirus, antispyware). Sophos (has won VB100) is industrial but made a client side (pc) antivirus application as part of Webroot's suite. Trend Micro has won VB100 Awards for their antivirus. Their firewall has four settings including normal, home network, public wireless, and more. I have this package on my new Vista Home Premium Notebook (I am on XP Desktop now). I only recommend and post this because it is person's actual lives on the line. You get maxxed on an ID Theft and it can literally take up to 20 years to ever get another credit card. Why talk about second best and runner up ? Wake up all....