I’m hoping there is someone on GS who is an IT whizz and can help with a problem with my home PC.
Usually it’s just me and hubby who use the PC and we have ma’shallah had no problems/issues in the 3 years since we have had this one.
Recently though, my SIL and her son have been using the PC when they come round whilst we are at work as their PC has died (with the same problem I am going to describe below!)…and now our PC doesn’t work.
I am gutted as there’s a lot on there that I just can’t lose!
The problem is this:
The PC is slow to open the first internet browser and then when you do manage to open a website and try to navigate to another website, nothing happens but multiple web browsers start opening - many with totally inappropriate content.
I have done a full Virus scan (McAfee) and there was nothing found
A dialogue box opens saying it’s a Windows Security alert, lists 3 different virus’ and shows threat status - one is critical and 2 are high.
I don’t know if this is a legitimate security alert as when I click remove it asks me to download something.
What could this be?
Please can anyone help!
I am so angry!
I was thinking of putting a Password on the log on, but knowing them, they will try various different passwords and lock the system!
I wish I could do a screen print to explain the problem - but I can’t even get the PC to function for that!
Then go into msconfig (in Run, type msconfig) a window will popup, click the ‘startup’ tab, tick off anything that looks abnormal to you (there are descriptions so read them first)…
Then go into add/remove programs in Control Panel and remove anything that you have never seen before or which looks suspicious…
After that, download The home of Spybot-S&D! spybot search and destroy, install it, update, scan for problems..
let it run..
then if you still experience problems, run this utility: SmitFraudFix smitFraudFix, make sure to follow the instructions on that webpage..
first of all, upgrade internet explorer. or start using firefox.
then use spybot search and destroy, install it, update it and scan your system.
then install some antivirus, you already have mcafee.
dont click on any dialog box that you are not sure of, many web sites do this and if you click on it, they install more bad software on pc.
also make sure windows firewall is on.
you should also install and run ad-aware. again update and then do a complete scan.
after you have done that, remove adaware and spybot
and put some restrictions on your user account, make sure it doesnt run with administrator priviliges, just password protect your system
Your machine is infected with Spyware/Adaware/Trojan/Worms and bla blah and blah. Cause someone probably the kid visited some sites and clicked a few ads.
Result of using Internet Explorer, as one of my colleagues used to call “Keeroon ka gateway”. Its spyware. Please use SpyBOT Search & Destroy … or/and .. AdAware. Make sure u update them after installing them. Run them both to clean the system.
Second suggestion: Please use Firefox & restrict access to IE for Admin Account only.
Some spyware make their home in windows registry, and in windows system folder. It becomes very difficult to identify and clean them. Novice or less experienced people cannot get rid of them. Find a geek in your friends , family or neighborhood to help you out. If you can afford to loose your data then just use the restore disk to restore the computer to the original state. If you cannot afford to loose the data and you cannot find an expert to help you out , and if you live in US use Geek Squad.
P.S. someone told me Apple computer is free of virus troubles. No experience myself.
i us windows without any anti virus or spy ware protection
and ie is my fav browser and i never had any problem.yes i am behind a NAT and its a very simple conf.
if ppl do stupid things then only they are to be blamed, problem in layer 8
Maybe she just decided to trash her computer? lol. In any case Spybot will do the trick. You all made great suggestions on how to resolve the issue. I have the same issue of redirecting on my MAC Book running OSX tiger. There are not spyware programs available for MAC's so I have tried to figure this out my self but have had no luck. Basically it redirects me every once in a while to an innaproporiate site or a site that has nothing to do with what I was looking for. Some times when I don't type in www in safari or firefox (going to a legit website), it redirects me to a different website.
