Virus Protection Help

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:34pm

My computer suddenly seems to be under attack, and I'm positive it's because of spyware/adware and some sort of virus. It installs programs on my desktop, and although I always track down and delete them, they come back. They are also causing other programs not to run correctly. I have three spyware programs on my computer but someone suggested they might be infested as well. I also have a virus protection program, but I'm not convinced that it's working 100% correctly.

So finally, can any of you suggest free programs I can download online? Both spyware and virus programs - anything will be helpful. I already have Microsoft AniSpyware, Adaware, Spy Assassin, and Yahoo sypware removal. I also have a firewall set up, and Avast! virus protection, but none of them seem to be working.

Any suggestions? New programs?

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:54pm

Bump.

I desperately need help.

[zepka102]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:55pm

i tried

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:56pm

I can't help you, but I'm in the same predicament. I'll now open up IE or MS-Word, minimize it, and suddenly there's literally 30+ MS-Word files with scrambly names on my Desktop.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:57pm

The first thing is to get rid of some of the spyware and firewalls. You only need one of each. More can destroy the computer.

Second, if you are using Windows XP, and another firewall, such as Symantic, turn off the windows firewall.

[NYBroadwayNY]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:57pm

Go to
www.trendmicro.com
It has free virus scan and they have a new thing that will scan for not only viruses, but adware too. Then it gives you recommendations of what to do with what they found. We use it in our office. Try it.
Updated On: 4/20/05 at 09:57 PM

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:58pm

Also, IE is causing trouble - causes me trouble.

The problem is, IE has become so overused that it can't protect itself much. I suggest downloading Mozilla and using it. Keep IE (because you need it for Windows AND some things do not work on Mozilla).

[IMsooHyprToday]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 9:59pm

press controll alt delete and see what stuff is running in the background, and close it down... that should be a temp fix!! if htere is anything you do not recognize, then find it with the search later and delete it.

good luck.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:00pm

NyBwayNY - I'm on that site now - what product do I want to choose? (I'm totally computer illiterate.)

[NYBroadwayNY]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:01pm

Look for "Free Online Scan"
Then it takes you to another page. You can choose the first one, or choose the second one that says NEW because it scans for adware too.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:06pm

Thanks! It's loading the doodad now.

[NYBroadwayNY]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:06pm

If you choose the NEW "beta" version, it opens a new window (you'll need to disable pop-up blocker if you have it on) and click on "Complete Scan" to scan for viruses AND adware and trojans and such...

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:08pm

What OS are you using - XP?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:08pm

Aie! I don't think that's the one I'm loading. Can you link me? To quote Liam, "I swair I'm not retarted!"

[NYBroadwayNY]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:08pm

You're welcome and I hope that finds everything.
I ran it last night. Just be aware that it could take a long time. Last night, it took about 35 minutes on mine, but it found nothing harmful.

I go there and run it about once a week. More if I think my computer's not running right.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:09pm

brdlwyr, who - me or Munk?

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:10pm

Is this right?

http://housecall60.trendmicro.com/en/start_corp.asp

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:10pm

Hi Tiff - I meant Monk.

[Thenardier]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:10pm

Also, go to Start --> Run --> msconfig

Then go to the startup tab and see what programs are starting when you load the computer...

[NYBroadwayNY]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:12pm

Yes, tiff, that's right.
Then click "Complete Scan"

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:13pm

Tiff - I did mean you. Sorry.......

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:16pm

Oh, good, NYBNY. It's downloading the Complete Scan right now.

No problem, brdlwyr.









What's an "OS"? I don't even know what a USB port is - talk to me like I'm slow.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:17pm

If you are at msconfig - I assume XP?

[NYBroadwayNY]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:18pm

OS= Operating System
ie Windows 98, Windows XP etc...

[Mythus]

Posted: 4/20/05 at 10:18pm

AVG. Not sure what the G stands for, but I'm pretty sure the AV stands for Anti-Virus. It runs really thorough scans, and you can set it up so it alerts you if something IE-related is being tampered with/changed, and a little thing will pop up when it finds a virus (I think). The scan is very long, but thorough.