Computer help from someone that can dumb it down for me

[mj4cy]

Been having trouble with possible viruses and definite spyware issues.


Lately, I've been getting more pop ups and programs downloading themselves pretending to be spyware protection (such as spyware project 2009) and then trying to get info from my computer. I know enough to not let those programs run on my machine, but I want to get rid of them and make sure my anti virus is up and running correctly.

I was told by our IT guy here to install and run adaware as it's free and pretty straightforward. He said that should take care of spyware issues.

Does this make sense to any other comptuer wizzes out there? Also, if someone could direct me on how to update and make sure my virus scan is working.

Thanks in advance. Also, please remember to dumb it down as I'm not computer savvy.

 

[cstrunk]

Ad-aware is pretty good. I instlaled it the other day after my computer was running dog-**** slow and some text was typing backwords... yes backwords... I also did a system restore to a point where it had been working fine a few days prior... after doing the restore and running the ad-aware scan, my computer was back to normal.

Sorry for the spelling eerrors I'm still drunk. Daytona Rocks.

 

[Wesley]

Not too well known, but many ads funnel revenue into Microsoft.

 

[kilgore_trout]

You, my friend, need this...

PC Repair with Advanced SystemCare Free | System Care, Windows Care, Free Download

I found it via Lifehacker recently. It's really a great all-in-one tool. Plus it's FREE!

 

[tman24]

Adaware and spybot search and destroy is what I used and I recommend to people. They are both free and many times i run both because what adaware doesnt get usually spybot will get.

 

[mj4cy]

Adaware and spybot search and destroy is what I used and I recommend to people. They are both free and many times i run both because what adaware doesnt get usually spybot will get.

I have spy bot currently, but was told Adaware would be a good addition since you can do a whole scan. Spybot sometimes confused me because it asks me about changes in which I have no clue what the hell it is talking about.

 

[cmoneyr]

Malwarebyte's is a good one as well, and is free and pretty compact. I spent the better part of a day last week fighting with the Trojans here at work, some are really tough to get rid of.

Malwarebytes.org

One thing that helps sometimes is to run the scans in Safe Mode. While your computer is starting up press F8 repeatedly until you get a menu and select Safe Mode, or Safe Mode with Networking, then run your scan. This, in theory, will keep the spyware or virus from loading on start up so you can remove it. More and more of them are hiding themselves from scans though, making it a real ***** to deal with.

 

[TykeClone]

Malwarebytes.org - I've recently been using this one and it seems to do the trick rather well.

 

[mj4cy]

Malwarebyte's is a good one as well, and is free and pretty compact. I spent the better part of a day last week fighting with the Trojans here at work, some are really tough to get rid of.

Malwarebytes.org

One thing that helps sometimes is to run the scans in Safe Mode. While your computer is starting up press F8 repeatedly until you get a menu and select Safe Mode, or Safe Mode with Networking, then run your scan. This, in theory, will keep the spyware or virus from loading on start up so you can remove it. More and more of them are hiding themselves from scans though, making it a real ***** to deal with.

Thanks! you always were good with computers. I can run programs and do what I need to do for work, but when it comes to computer maintenance ect. I'm clueless.

 

[Cyclonick182]

Malwarebytes is what Ive been using with lots of good results.

 

[jumbopackage]

MalwareBytes and Spybot are the two best ones, IMO.

Adaware is next to useless these days.

Depending on what you've got, though, even those two aren't going to cut it, and you'll need to try something a little "stronger" like SDFix in safemode.

Also, make sure that you've got all the latest windows updates installed. MS pushes out quite a few malware removal tools in their updates, not to mention the patches to keep you from getting infected in the first place.

 

[Bader]

I just use Windows Defender and McAfee on my machine. Never had any problems with viruses

I used to use Spybot but got tired of the poor update interface

 

[mj4cy]

Thanks for the help. I have virus scan and want to know about how to make sure I have the most updated version and that it's done a recent scan. Any help?

 

[TykeClone]

Thanks for the help. I have virus scan and want to know about how to make sure I have the most updated version and that it's done a recent scan. Any help?

McAffee?

 

[Cyberclone]

The thing to remember , if you have a virus, is to turn off your system restore function before you run a virus scan. After you machine is clean of all infections, you can then turn System restore back on.

Malwarebytes, is a very good malware eliminator.

 

[RotatingColumn]

I'll dumb it down as much as possible. Quit buying disposable computers. Buy a Macintosh. Plug it in and use it for 8 years. Then pass it down to your kids to use for another 2-4. Never get a virus and never reload Windoze. Never fragment your disk, whatever that is. Oh, and the stuff you view won't look like it was done on an etch-a-sketch. The G4 I got in '99 runs a little slow but still very usable. It has outlasted 3 of my wife's PCs.

 

[Cyberclone]

I'll dumb it down as much as possible. Quit buying disposable computers. Buy a Macintosh. Plug it in and use it for 8 years. Then pass it down to your kids to use for another 2-4. Never get a virus and never reload Windoze. Never fragment your disk, whatever that is. Oh, and the stuff you view won't look like it was done on an etch-a-sketch. The G4 I got in '99 runs a little slow but still very usable. It has outlasted 3 of my wife's PCs.

I've seen an awful lot of macs that have been disposed of. The whole "macs never break down" thing is a myth. They are a decent computer but don't warrant the money they charge for them.

 

[jumbopackage]

I'll dumb it down as much as possible. Quit buying disposable computers. Buy a Macintosh. Plug it in and use it for 8 years. Then pass it down to your kids to use for another 2-4. Never get a virus and never reload Windoze. Never fragment your disk, whatever that is. Oh, and the stuff you view won't look like it was done on an etch-a-sketch. The G4 I got in '99 runs a little slow but still very usable. It has outlasted 3 of my wife's PCs.

I've got a 7 year old PC that still works great too. What's more, it's never had a virus or any significant malware (the odd cookie or two here or there).

I paid 300 dollars for it then. And, if I was so inclined, I could pay another 300 dollars and get a new one.

You're throwing your money down the Apple marketing toilet if you buy a Mac, IMO. Yeah the hardware is great, but it costs literally twice as much as a similar PC for essentially the same product.

You're far better off learning how to be safe on the internet and then you don't have to worry about it in the first place.

 

[mj4cy]

So go to Mcafee's website and look for the newest?

 

[mj4cy]

I would like some help on the virus scan stuff because some of the products seem to just find viruses and you have to pay to remove them. I want to know how to find and remove them.