Question:
A lot of viruses on computer?
Shark Hugs
2013-12-17 16:08:26 UTC
So awhile ago my webcam wasn't working (Guessing because I had viruses) I restarted my computer completely. Of course this didn't fix the problem -_- but got rid of all my viruses and stuff. But it got rid of my virus scanner thing? No idea what its called. I thought id be fine without one but now my computer is completely f*cked. First off I can't use Google chrome anymore because my volume always mutes itself, Whenever I click it opens up random tabs with advertisement, And it's painfully slow. Second I can't play any games. Whenever I open them in full screen they minimize themselves and run slowly. Third, And most recently I can't use Firefox anymore (I'm using google chrome right now -_-) Because it opens tabs with advertisement whenever I click also, and I had a tab thing that said i needed to update firefox, and I thought it was legit so I clicked it and now Firefox can't be used lol.. Idk what to do. I'm getting a new computer for christmas but this is driving me insane.
Five answers:
tumbleweed_biff
2013-12-17 16:12:51 UTC
Guide to virus removal:



Consumer Reports has the following ratings:

Best 4 Free:

Avast

Avira

AVG

Microsoft Security Essentials



Best Paid:

G Data Internet Security

ESet Smart Security 6

F-Secure International Security

Kaspersky Internet Securityu

Avira Internet Security



There are always other opinions and tests:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2372364,00.asp

http://www.consumersearch.com/antivirus-software

http://www.pcworld.com/category/antivirus-software/



How to remove a virus -

I) The best solution is to back up your data and perform a factory restore. Install a reputable AV program after the restore and download the latest updates before restoring your data.



II) That not being practical for many, try either of the next two methods:

(Please note that it is important to use one of these two methods as you need to boot and scan knowing that no viruses are already in memory. If you try and install an AV product on a machine already infected then there is a decent chance that the virus will be able to hide/relocate from the scanner.)



A)

1) On a clean computer, download 1 or more free bootable AV products. Five I know of are Avira, AVG, Avast, Kaspersky, and G Data.



(There is a handy product called sardu (www.sarducd.it) which will create a flash drive/Cd capable of having multiple AV products built into it. It isn't perfect yet, but it does do the job pretty well. I keep a copy on a flash drive for whenever I go to someone's house to help with computer problems and I have a number of other diagnostic tools included as well.)



2) Create the bootable media and include the latest virus definitions

3) Boot the infected/suspect computer by using the bootable media and run a full/complete/deep scan of the computer using preferably at least two different ones. No AV product gets them all, but 2 different products should find and remove just about anything.



B) second alternative method:

1) remove the hard drive from the infected computer

2) slave the drive to a clean computer which already has at least one AV product already installed with the most current definitions. You can do this by installing it into the case (for a desktop) or by putting the drive in an external drive case which you can get for the low teens $. These can be USB (get at least USB 2.0) or eSata - if the 2nd computer has an eSata connection.



3) From the clean machine, run a full/complete scan of the slaved hdd. The computer should already be booted when you connect the external drive, with the AV product already in residential memory(It will have an icon down next to the clock). Then open the AV and run it on the drive. In an ideal world, you should really use two different AV products.



III) If you are unable to do the above, then download and install an AV product and then run it at its deepest level scan. This is not the ideal method as many viruses can hide from AV products if they are already in memory and running before the AV sofware is executed. There are numerous free ones. I strongly recommend two different AV products and one Adware/Spyware product. For free AV, I would typically recommend Avira, AVG, or Avast as the installed resident (always running) AV solution and Malwarebytes as a secondary, on demand AV product which I run on a weekly basis. For Spyware and Adware, the two top performers there are AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy (adaware is a product of lavasoft and safer-networking.org produces Spybot Search and Destroy) Both offer a free and paid version. The free version is good, the paid version offers more bells and whistles, just like with the AV products.



Once the virus(es) is/are removed, change any and all passwords having to do with anything important like e-mail, financial-banking logins, etc. as those have probably been captured and sent to the author of the virus.
Leigh
2016-08-27 11:39:10 UTC
2
Renee G
2013-12-17 16:38:45 UTC
First step - download at least ONE good free anti-virus and one good free anti-malware - I suggest Microsoft Security Essentials and Iobit's Malware Defender. Save the installation files to a flash drive. MalwareBytes has a free demo - which is also fairly reputable as being good.



Disconnect from the internet. Back up or copy any files that you NEED to keep (photos, documents, spreadsheets, etc.) to an external hard drive or make a back up of your current computer on an external hard drive.



Once you've finished that - start the recovery process to get a clean factory image. Do not have an internet connection going at this point! It must include a format of the hard drive before the recovery image is installed - to keep anything from hiding on the hard drive.



Install the anti-virus and anti-malware.



Now - connect to the internet long enough to download & install all updates for your operating system and the protection software. Disconnect from the internet while it boots back up (faster to do this if using an Ethernet or USB cable - plus less chance of a file corrupting).



Reboot.



RUN the anti-virus and anti-malware programs on your clean new factory image (might as well make sure) and on the external hard drive that you've saved. You don't want to import anything bad with your personal data.



Be paranoid for a while - update & run the protection software daily - there might be a delay in a "fix" being found & added to the anti-malware or anti-virus programs.
anonymous
2013-12-17 16:15:24 UTC
Try this. All this software is free and from safe sources.

Download and install Malwarebytes. Be sure to update before you run the scan.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/

Next, do the same with Microsoft Security Essentials.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download

Finally install and run Advanced System Care to clean and speed up your computer.

http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare/3000-2086_4-10407614.html?part=dl-6271865&subj=dl&tag=button

Hope it works!
Sarah D
2013-12-17 19:36:14 UTC
It sounds like you might not be attached too much to your files. You could reinstall windows or try to install the anti-virus programs like mentioned before or you could hire someone to do it for you.



http://www.applepopsupport.com/portland-virus-removal.html


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...