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Technical Help & Discussion => Self Building, Upgrading & General Hardware Help => Topic started by: sharon159 on March 10, 2008, 16:48

Title: infected?
Post by: sharon159 on March 10, 2008, 16:48

Last night I went into a blog, and right away a window popped up saying a virus detected. I did spybot, restore. On the taskbar is a red circle with an X in it. A window constantly pops up from it say my computer is infected. What can I do now to get rid of that. Help...

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Clive on March 10, 2008, 18:04

Which antivirus software do you use Sharon? 

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sharon159 on March 10, 2008, 18:16

Avast..

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Simon on March 10, 2008, 19:01

Is it definitely Avast telling you there's a virus?  If so, turn OFF System Restore, then hopefully Avast will clear the virus for you.  It may be reappearing because System Restore is actually storing the virus as well.

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sharon159 on March 10, 2008, 23:16

Ok...I did what you suggested, turned off the system restore, and ran the avg anti virus again..I still have the red circle on the task bar.  The constant reminder that my computer is infected, any other ideas?

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sam on March 10, 2008, 23:20

what program is telling you this - i.e. what is the program in the task bar?

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Simon on March 11, 2008, 00:31

Yes, is it AVG or Avast, Sharon, as you have mentioned both.  I'm just wondering if it's neither of these programs in the task bar, but instead, you have picked up some nasty spyware.  Nothing is asking you to pay to have it removed, is it?

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Baz on March 11, 2008, 11:51

two anti virus progs running together....wont they clash

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Simon on March 11, 2008, 12:11

It's not generally a good idea, Baz, which is why we are trying to establish what Sharon is actually using, and what exactly is producing the alerts and task bar warning.

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sharon159 on March 12, 2008, 02:57

I still have the problem, even with trying different things todays. It doesn't really say what it is, no one is trying to sell anything. Just a red circle with an X in the middle of it. And...a window opens abover it every 30-40 secs tellling me my computer is infected.
I will try to work on it in the morning again..

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Simon on March 12, 2008, 08:05

I don't know Avast or AVG, but I would have thought if it was an official program telling you this, it would be obvious what the program is.  Can you post a screenshot of the 'virus' window, so we can see it?

My only other suggestion at the moment is to switch off system restore, then go into Safe Mode and run your virus / spyware scanners, and see if they can remove it that way.

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Clive on March 12, 2008, 09:20

Yes, it definitely seems like spyware to me.  AVG warnings are very clear and you will be left in no doubt where the alert is coming from.   I would certainly download Ad-Aware which can be downloaded HERE (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php) for free.  Follow Simon's advice and run them in safe mode.  I also think you should decide which antivirus you want to use and delete the other.  Both AVG and Avast have a good reputation so it's not an easy decision. 

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sam on March 12, 2008, 10:35

yep it does sound like spyware - no official program would act in this manner.

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Simon on March 12, 2008, 11:08

Also, it may be worth checking in your Add / Remove Programs list, just in case there's something there you don't recognise.  It's doubtful, but if you're very lucky, it might just uninstall by the usual method. 

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sharon159 on March 12, 2008, 19:10

Ok...I am still here with the problem..
So...after looking in my programs Add/delete, there is no Avast. I do have AVG in my taskbar, also the red circle with the X in it, I am more confused now :dunno:
I will try to do the quick fix protocol on it, appreciate the help.

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sharon159 on March 12, 2008, 21:05

I tried downloading adaware, when I click run, nothing happens..

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Clive on March 12, 2008, 21:15

Best to click "save" rather than "run".  That way it gets installed on your hard drive and stays there for future use.

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Simon on March 12, 2008, 21:53

Sharon, try Super AntiSpyware (http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html) as well - the free edition is the one you want.  I'm not sure that Ad Aware is all that wonderful any more, Clive.   :-\

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sharon159 on March 13, 2008, 12:07

Simon..you are a life saver, I downloaded the Super Anti Spyware as you recommended as a last resort, as I was going to send computer to my brother in N.J. to fix it. And it worked, got up at 3:15 am to check on it , finished out the process and when computer rebooted, it was fixed. I thank you so much. You guys on this site have helped me several times in  the past with good results..thanks again

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: Simon on March 13, 2008, 12:34

Glad it's sorted, Sharon.  Bet you won't go to that blog again!
 
What's slightly disappointing is that AVG didn't block the spyware in the first place.

Title: Re: infected?
Post by: sam on March 13, 2008, 15:32

but you can get avg without the spyware addon.. so maybe you aren't running that?

Also its worth running a few scans with every scanner you have just to make sure you have gotten rid of it.