Is it Adware or Malware that I have?

[WarPony]

This morning I got a popup for something that I hadn't seen before. It was a warning that my computer was infected with various worms/spyware/malware and needed fixed by this company with a nice add and some more popups and some icons that are now loaded up on my task bar to the lower right of my computer screen. I turned off my modem to see if I could erase the problem but they still pop up. Has anybody ran into this before? I don't want to subscribe to the company because I'm sure they are the ones who put this crap on my computer and will be a slave to them in the future.

Like I've said in the past, "If you have a drug problem, don't go see a drug dealer.".

Jeff

[Miriam C.]

I will try to remember this right---I went into the "add remove programs" on the control panel and removed the company selling the cure............ Had help but I think that is what it amounted to.......

[Alfred]

Usually, those type of ads tell everyone they 'may' be infected, whether or not they are, just to get you to buy their software. I wouldn't buy from them either.

Check to see that your Windows Explorer pop-up blocker is on. Also, I believe you can edit the lower right icons out of your start-menu folder.

Ad-Aware is a good mal-ware sweep that you can download and use for free:
http://downloads.zdnet.com/abstract.asp ... ntent;col1

I haven't used the newer version, but I previously used the older version and it seemed to work well.

Also - You can scan your computer free from the Norton website here:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home ... RZDUUTVJHL

Hope this helps.

AL in Asheville

[hugh]

I think that is what is commonly called malware, it takes a couple of minutes but just keep deleting it. I run AVG free protection and after checking out one site I got the same message so I ran a scan with the AVG and no problems even though the pop up said my computer was infected. Prob just another scam to pry money out of you.

[starleen2]

Jeff - i had problems like that before and spy-bot didn't detect it - however

Malwarebytes anti spy and virus did the job - it's all that i use now - and it's free
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

[caseydog]

Jeff - i had problems like that before and spy-bot didn't detect it - however

Malwarebytes anti spy and virus did the job - it's all that i use now - and it's free
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Adware? Malware? What is this that you speak of?

CD

[Alan Wood]

This morning I got a popup for something that I hadn't seen before. It was a warning that my computer was infected with various worms/spyware/malware and needed fixed by this company with a nice add and some more popups and some icons that are now loaded up on my task bar to the lower right of my computer screen. I turned off my modem to see if I could erase the problem but they still pop up. Has anybody ran into this before? I don't want to subscribe to the company because I'm sure they are the ones who put this crap on my computer and will be a slave to them in the future.

Like I've said in the past, "If you have a drug problem, don't go see a drug dealer.".

Jeff

That is the correct answer about this issue. Have you tried rebooting the computer. Most of the spyware/malware that does this is very stuborn to get rid of. However if you did not click on it you might not be infected. Rebooting the compter will tell the tail.

[Micro469]

Go to google and type in "How to remove (name of Product) adware." You should get tons of help, plus a listing of which files to remove, or even directions to a free program to remove it for you.

[Corwin C]

+1 on the malwarebytes.org (free download)

It wouldn't hurt to also run the free version of superantispyware.com

Between these two they fixed a severe problem that my kids picked up recently.

Good Luck

[WarPony]

Thanks for all the tips, guys. This thing is pretty well socked in because even with the modem turned off and no webpage up it's trying to get me to register......

Jeff

[toypusher]

Is it Antivirus 2010 by chance? If it is you need to google how to remove it because it is very hard to get rid of. Once rid of it, you need a better antivirus program like AVG or some other good program.

[Arne]

I use Avast free virus protection and Superantispyware (free, but I got the upgrade)...

Every so often even one of my groups gets a message and when I click on the link, a big message pops up warning me it is spyware...

The last virus I got was in 1999, sent from a friend as it was 'cute'... that was the last one I got.. and it was easy to get rid of...

Do a search on 'best free antivirus' and 'best free spyware protection' and you can get some good products..

Avast and AVG are two of the best free antivirus ones... and Avast updates automatically every day.

[Kurt (Indiana)]

I use Avast free virus protection and Superantispyware (free, but I got the upgrade)...

Every so often even one of my groups gets a message and when I click on the link, a big message pops up warning me it is spyware...

The last virus I got was in 1999, sent from a friend as it was 'cute'... that was the last one I got.. and it was easy to get rid of...

Do a search on 'best free antivirus' and 'best free spyware protection' and you can get some good products..

Avast and AVG are two of the best free antivirus ones... and Avast updates automatically every day.

Arne, I agree totally. Those anti-virus programs are the best ones I've found.

[WarPony]

BINGO!! The Malwarebytes download got rid of it!! I had a bunch of "fake trojans" that were in my computer, which I'm sure is where all the pop ups were coming from.

I'll keep all the other suggestions for later reference if I have any more problems.

Google shmoogle........ THIS forum has all the answers!!

Jeff

[48Rob]

I used the free Avast program for a couple years, it did okay, but did not catch "everything".

I finally decided to get real protection.
I bought Kaspersky and haven't been bothered since...
I get a pop up screen a couple times a week from Kaspersy telling me it blocked access from a trojan or virus...

Worry free browsing, no matter what "site" you end up on.

http://www.kaspersky.com/

Rob