Virus help?

[Minstrels]

Seems strange asking for help regarding a computer... never normally need it. Anyway I've got a little pisser of a virus, one of those scam ones pretending I've got a load of virus's and asking me to pay money to 'fix' it. Had a Google and it's a popular one (Antiviru Solution Pro). I've followed the steps off Google and it gets rid of it for a few days and then it comes back... had it about four times now.

I don't know how I'm getting it, checked what ports are open on my computer etc (nothing strange). I only visit a number of known sites... don't download rubbish.

Anyone know how I can get rid of it permanently? Oh btw, it's gone now as I got rid, just wondering if there's a reason why it keeps coming back.

[Keri?!]

This happened to me, there's a programme spy catcher 4 (which I know thanks to Dean)
Which finds it and can delete it, I tried about 3 other virus scanners and they didn't even pick it up.

[xxMATTGxx]

The only real way of getting rid of viruses is by reformatting your machine. This means you will need to have some sort of Recovery which might be even a Windows OS disc. If you can't do such things then I suggest you try and scan the machine with various programs such as an Anti-Virus. Also download: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and do a scan with that.

[Apolva]

Either:

Reformat & re-install windows (recommended):

• Back up your files
• Insert Windows CD/DVD
• Restart (press any key when prompted)
• Delete current partition
• Re-install windows on empty space

Try to dis-infect your current installation:

• Download and install MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware and Kaspersky Anti-Virus Trial.
• Run a full scan using both (NOT at the same time though).
• Delete / dis-infect any threats found by either.

[peteyt]

Either:

Reformat & re-install windows (recommended):

• Back up your files
• Insert Windows CD/DVD
• Restart (press any key when prompted)
• Delete current partition
• Re-install windows on empty space

Try to dis-infect your current installation:

• Download and install MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware and Kaspersky Anti-Virus Trial.
• Run a full scan using both (NOT at the same time though).
• Delete / dis-infect any threats found by either.

Just thought I'd add something - if your going to do a scan you should run it in safe mode - just reboot computer - when all the jargon is coming up keep hitting F8 and choose either safe mode or safe mode with networking (allows you to be online) - one of the problems with a lot of these programs is that once they infect you they do as much as they can to stay on your PC - often they are able to connect to other stuff - so that when you try to remove them it fails - safe mode loads only the needed stuff so often this can be an advantage.

[Mark]

I recommend downloading Avast or AVG

[Pyroka]

What websites did you visit?

and yeah Malware Bytes is your best bet for this. You could even use HiJackThis which kills the process, since you'll know whether its still alive or not if you cant open the task manager. Using HiJackThis, you can kill the process and then use MalwareBytes to kill the virus, then restart and it should be perm gone...

[beth]

malwarebytes is what got rid of mine. or at least, i think it's all gone ;l.

[Hiro]

I recommend downloading Avast or AVG

LOL. No. Both of these are bad. If you want decent AV/IS software, go with Kaspersky. I have been using it for the last 2 years and have never, ever, had my PC infected with a trojan, worm or virus.

+ MalwareBytes is awesome

[Samantha.]

I recommend downloading Avast or AVG

AVG is crap! I got this virus yesterday and I have AVG didn't do anything. I had to take my laptop to PC world to get the virus removed and they put anti-malware on it and norton 360 and they said it shouldn't come back!