O/T- Computer has a virus- HELP!!!

I've run AVG Anti-spy, AVG Anti-Virus(free edition), and Norton anti virus. These scans take hours(Norton took almost 24hrs) because the computer's running so slow and all these websites keep trying to pop up(even when disconnected from the internet, phone line unplugged). None of these scans has found any threats!

So...what do I do now? I gotta get that computer working again! Thanks!!!

If you are going to continue to trust Microsoft, look into a hardware firewall.

Something I've found is Microsoft, even though they offer security updates and the like on XP and even 98se operating systems, the crooks get through faster than they offer fixes.

And as time moves on, they just plain lag, if not drag their feet with keeping the older systems secure.

Many of these worms or trojans fly under the radar. And perhaps most every antivirus/ spyware program out there misses the "good" or "Baddest ones" anyway.

I found that there is a lot of bootleg software still floating around on used computers that has it's authorization check turned off, and hense all the security patches past a certian date don't get through at all.

If security is an issue, or things are just too screwy it's time for a new system that will support windows Vista.

The computer I'm on right now is 3ghz emachine p4 w/1gig ram and a large widescreen LCD and was only $599 at walmart They have a litte slower one for a couple hundred less that's just fine. The one at the other end of the room was $350 you can't build one for that. They have been trouble free.

On my last unit....

Even after reformatting and reinstalling XP sp2 and all the legitimate updates and protection software it was a couple days before the crooks got through and it started acting up.

Thanks,

Anthony

Went into it in the "safe mode"(didn"t know how to do that until I read it here!).....then went through all the files(most of "em anyway) and deleted anything that the properties said had been created in the last 3 days. Took awhile and I wasn"t sure I got "em all, but it seems to have cleared her up!

I know, it probably won"t work like a new one, but it didn"t before- kids had too many games and junk installed, and were always downloading crap from various game-oriented sites(hmmmm, think that might be a clue where this came from???)

But it"s up and running at least as good as before(maybe better, I removed a bunch of those stinkin" games!).

Thanks to all!

PS- when mom gets home from vacation I"m gonna STRONGLY suggest she get rid of Norton and replace it with something else....oh, also...when someone below mentioned not to have two anti-virus programs on at the same time because they"ll "fight each other", does that mean they won"t work or does it mean the computer will run slower, or???

both can be a nightmare to remove.

If you can, try to search google using the symptoms, and you may be able to find out the name of what you have, and you may find some removal tools, or other online help as well.

You never want more than one antivirus program running at one time - they can really cause a lot of trouble. AVG is fine, but it can be damaged by malware.

But your worse problem will be getting the malware off that is trying to scare you. There is a ton of that junk floating around and some of it is terribly noxious to get off. DON'T fall for any of the messages asking for $49.95 to cure your problem!

You can try booting in safe mode (hit F8 as your PC turns on) and sometimes delete the subdirectory(s) that the junk is hiding in, but sometimes finding it is half the battle.

While in safe mode, empty your recycle bin, delete all Internet explorer temporary files, and then go in to "msconfig" to remove entries in the startup list that shouldn't be there.

Or the other option would be back your files up to a USB key or whatever, and then reinstall Windows. Then be sure and service pack it all the way back to current and reinstall AVG...

Howard

If it were mine i would do as Allen said and totaly wipe the hard drive and do a fresh install.
After a while these computers get so much junk on them that you can not get rid of it,therfore they just start slowing down and acting up and eventualy get to the point that they just crash.
If you do a clean install your computer will be like new again, some recomend it once a year,if alot of different people are using it.

I make my living with computers.

First rule of thumb. Never, ever download anything that is "free" from the Internet. The effect is just like passing around a social disease. :>)

Second rule: Dump the silly Norton. It's nothing but a boon-doggle.

Okay, off my soapbox. :>)

If that unit were mine, I wouldn't even mess with it. Wipe that hard drive and start all over.

Allan

As for the "free AVG", I've only read good stuff about it up till now?

I'll try some of the other suggestions first, and keep going from there. Probably have to just start over with it from scratch.