Can you help with my computer virus problem?

Question

Okay, well I know I have several computer viruses. I believe I have Spyware and Adclicker.
I just need to get rid of them!
When I turn on my computer, it comes up with errors and booting it up takes a ridiculous amount of time. Then when I click onto internet explorer, it works for less than 30 seconds and then another window pops up saying "invalid syntax error" and they just keep popping up more and more where is at the point where I can no longer get to the website I was at. Then I have to do CTRL+ ALT+ DLTE to close internet explorer. Then sometimes when I'm on AIM it freezes up. PLEASE HELP. Any information that you can provide will be much appreciated.

Answer 1

The best thing you can do is invest in a proper security suite for your computer that includes all of the basics: antivirus, firewall, antispyware, etc.. and one that is from a reliable vendor (mcafee, norton, ms onecare, etc)... that you ensure is properly configured and kept completely up to date.

This will protect you and will in most cases remove existing malware.



Depending on the malware you are infected with you may not be able to simply run a scan... you may be faced with some manual removal steps (such as manually going to the temporary internet files folder and deleting those files) or as drastic as reformatting your system and reinstalling eveything from scratch... you won't know this until you begin to properly troubleshoot the problem with proper tools... and if you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself then you should stop now and seek a reliable and qualified technician's assistance before you lose everything.



Most likely those temp files your current software cannot delete are in the folder mentioned above.. and the reason they cannot be removed by the scanner is because they are in use by your web browser. So if you close out of the browser you should be able to go there via windows explorer and delete them...



I would then suggest that if you have a security suite from a reliable vendor as mentioned above you update the software and then run a complete scan. If it's not from a reliable vendor then go get a proper suite and get rid of the crapware you're using.



I would also suggest you try running a web based scan from http://housecall65.trendmicro.com which will attempt to scan for and remove malware. You can try this in normal mode after deleting those temporary internet files or you in safe mode after deleting the temp files. You can also clear the cache by right-clicking on IE > properties > delete temp files... etc... or tools > internet options >> etc..



Good Luck

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

I have used AVG Anti Virus, Zone Alarm Firewall, Spy-bot Search and Destroy and Ad Aware both spyware killers for years. They are all free for personal use and I have had no trouble with Viruses Trojans etc. AVG does not slow the system down as much as some other products and Zone Alarm allows a lot of personal configuration unlike the Windows Firewall. They can all be downloaded from the following linkhttp://www.computeractive.co.uk/. On the home page select downloads and then the appropriate category.I also use Windows Defender from the Microsoft site. It is safe to use two anti-spy products but never use more than one A/V as it can cause conflicts. You should run A/V and anti spy weekly. Hope this helps

Answer 4

Run your anti-spyware in Safe Mode.If you dont have an excellent anti-spyware or your current anti-spyware can't prevent spyware from Invading you computer,download a better one.

There are top 5 anti-spywares reviews,comparisons and download links on



http://www.anti-spyware-center.com



You can download and scan your computer for free.



As the computer is booting press your "F8 Key" repeatly which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" . Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe Mode" and press your Enter key.



After into safe mode,run an anti-spyware to remove the spyware and adware on you computer.



Make sure you have 1 or 2 antispyware on your computer and 1 antivirus and also 1 firewall.



GOOD LUCK!

Answer 5

Ad Aware, Spy bot - search and destroy,Spy ware Doctor are some good spy ware removers. AVG Anti virus and McAfee virus scan Plus 2007 are also supposed to help a lot.check out http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-sAFtLsc8erIoh.ENhksr2KyG for more details.

Answer 6

You can free download antispyware 2008

http://www.antispyware2008.info which is an essential tool to keep your system free of dangerous spywares, protecting your privacy and your PC. It is a cutting-edge anti-spyware solution. This revolutionary anti-spyware program was created by the industry's top spyware experts in order to protect your computer and your privacy, while ensuring optimal system performance. With the ability to locate, eliminate and prevent the widest range of spyware threats, it is able to offer its users a safe, spyware-free computing experience; and with it's convenient automatic update feature, It ensures continuous up-to-date protection.

It also works very well for me

http://www.antispyware2008.info

Answer 7

You should invest on a proper anti-virus package or even internet security suite, e.g. McAfee, Norton or Kaspersky.



If you can't afford for various reasons, you should go to http://free.grisoft.com to download the nati-virus and anti-spyware by AVG.



or go to http://www.kaspersky.com to do a on-line scanning.



Using Anti-virus and anti-spyware is the own way for protecting your machine at this moment.



You may learn about some basic protection from http://www.cert.org

Answer 8

Run the scan in safe mode. When you boot in safe mode, not all files are loaded, hence the lil buggers are now vulnerable to being found.

Here is how, print and use if you want.



*Download, install and the get the updates for the following, but DO NOT RUN A SCAN YET:



Adware

http://www.download.com/3001-8022_4-1073...



SuperAntispyware

http://www.superantispyware.com/download...



*Then, DISCONNECT from the internet. UNPLUG IT



*Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Internet Options and delete all browsing history (cookies, temporary internet files etc). Check the box, Also delete files and settings stored by add-ons.



*Make sure your folder settings allow you to see the ALL your folders, Go to My Computer>Folder Options>View. CHeck all the show files boxes and UNCHECK all the Hide boxes. Click apply and ok.



*Go to C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings \temp

Delete all files. (for each user)



*Delete all in recycle bin



*Next, boot up in safe mode (Tap the F8 key every few seconds as the system boots up until the screen Saying Safe Mode option appears).



*Now run the above spyware programs.



I would also download and install Firefox, its less vulnerable than IE.

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

(Then configure it for pop-ups and other things, like Clearing everything when you exit. tools>options>privacy tab to clear everything)

Answer 9

its very simple you can help yourself with one simple action. Windows is the reason for the problem get rid of windows get rid of viruses. this leaves you 2 good options expensive macs or free linux (tough choice)

sure you can try all the other advice the other guys will give install XXXXXX AV and WWWWW firwall. Guess what its gonna all come back every time. Hay if money is no problem you can afford an expert to secure that windows box for you but how often is that the case these days.

Answer 10

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

Answer 11

Try running free Superantispyware and A_Squared Free 3.1.



You may have to download and use these in safe mode.