Have computer virus - can anyone help ?

[Mikey]

Hi guys, I have a computer virus but I don't know what to do.

It keeps taking me to a site called Antimalware Go

I also get fake pop-ups pretending to be my spyware and other stuff ... I think they're fake.

I'm writing this post from my back-up computer.

Can anyone give any info how to get rid of it ?

My avast doesn't seem to work

My computer is a Dell.

Please remember, i'm not good at this kind of stuff so I need to be lead around by the hand.

Thanks

[Mr.Krusher]

I'll TRY man...

We had a similar problem. What we had to do is re-start the system in "SAFE MODE", this is done by pressing Fsomething as the system is starting. (F10 is it? Help me out..) While in SAFE mode, you can download Windows Security for free...thats what we have and its great for us, it 'updates' itself and all..
(The virus we had behaved the same way, only it PREVENTED us from downloading ANYTHING, instead showing a "action not allowed" message or some similar crap..)

This is about all the help I can offer sir, I'm sure someone here know FAR more...

[WannabeMego]

Quick Search came up with this: Remove AntiMalware Go (Uninstall Guide)

I recommend MalwareBytes: Malwarebytes

...and usually F8 (repeatedly) when you start the machine will get you to the Safe Mode Screen...if you can, Select Safe Mode with Networking so you can still access the Internet (maybe)...

Hope this Helps.

[Random Axe]

I had a similar issue a couple of months ago. I was instructed to go into safe mode and then find a restore point from a couple weeks prior. I don't know how far back your restore goes, but it worked pretty darn fast without having to worry about downloading new software.

You won't lose any files or documents you've added in that time period, just programs, which you can choose to re-load. However one of those may be the cause of the virus. Be careful doing that.

If you are unsure about safe mode or restore points, I'm sure someone here can walk you through it. I can't remember how I did it. It worked perfectly, though.

Scott

[Mikey]

Thanks guys

I couldn't do anything with it.

I had my nephew come over ... after 2 hours of swearing at the computer and giving it "the finger" I think he got it ... at least so far so good.

Thanks for the advice and the link ... which he used and downloaded.

[jimsmegos]

Quick Search came up with this: Remove AntiMalware Go (Uninstall Guide)

I recommend MalwareBytes: Malwarebytes

...and usually F8 (repeatedly) when you start the machine will get you to the Safe Mode Screen...if you can, Select Safe Mode with Networking so you can still access the Internet (maybe)...

Hope this Helps.

MalwareBytes = GREATEST SOFTWARE EVER!

If you don't have it I highly recommend it. I even have the program saved on a couple flash drivers just in case.

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

Mike there is a good free virus program which I really like called Avast. You might like to check it out...easy to install.

[Mikey]

Mike there is a good free virus program which I really like called Avast. You might like to check it out...easy to install.

I have Avast,

The "virus" or whatever it was got by it and even turned it off so I couldn't run it.

Be careful with Avast, in this case it was a total failure.

Perhaps because this was malware and not an actual virus ?

[jacoblb]

I always load any of my PCs with: Spybot, AVG (my preferred anti-virus) but Avast and Avira are all fine too, Ccleaner, and Spyblaster. And then I use the Avast virus removal tool as a precaution. I used to use Ad-Aware too, but I found it to hoard memory and back when I was using it the program didn't really find much else than Spybot besides cookies. Since you've fixed it already, I do recommend weekly or monthly preventative maintenance depending on how much online usage you do. Back everything up of course regularly. I run Spybot in safemode and always run Ccleaner in that mode too. Also, I typically have found if you turn off, at least temporarily, system restore that flushes out most Trojans and things--but I have to stress that you have your data backed up first.

[jacoblb]

I have some family members that neglect to patch their protective programs and then take the time to run that. I know it's a drag to make time for it, but if you're using Windows that's how it is. I've been able to get some of those family members onto Macs and after the learning curve it's worked out for them.

[domino]

I had this happen to me yesterday as well, it got past AVG. I went and did a system restore and that seemed to do the trick. I have now switched to Microsoft Security Essentials in hopes that it will work better than AVG.

[MegomanJess]

1st thing you should try is deleteing your computer's history and cookies and then restarting your computer.

If the problem is still there try looking online for a program named CCleaner. There is a option to see what programs start when you startup your computer. See if anything starts that doesn't look normal and disable it.

[Mikey]

I have a question .....

I got rid of Avast and installed Microsoft Security Essentials

I also now have MalwareBytes and Spybot

Question I have, since I installed Microsoft Security Essentials about a week ago --- sometimes when I go on youtube and click on a video the whole computer will just shut down and reboot.

This doesn't happen all the time, but sometimes ... like maybe once a day.

Is Microsoft Security Essentials doing this ? ... perhaps wrongly thinking the video link is a hazard ?

[Brad]

It's never done that for me Mike??


I have been running Essential ever since my "pay for" anti virus software failed to catch a nasty virus that my son accidentally let infect both my PC and my laptop.


I run that and MalwareBytes. With the way my Firefox browser is set up (add ons) this is all the protection that is needed. A good friend of mine runs the IT department at a local defense contractors manufacturing facility and those are the two he uses. He is a great friend to have as I always get the latest copies of Office and other programs from him. The company he works for buys multi license software since they have tons of computers so not only do I get them for free but they are fully legit too!

[Mikey]

Thanks for the info Brad