Computer advice needed, virus protection.

[bry]

More T.LC maybe..

[supergnome]

Quite right TtT2.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windo...ofsupport.aspx
IE is stuck at IE7 or 8. I would use the Fox or Chrome
W7 is a much better OS to use and safer. Ipad is good for browsing. There are millions of people out there trying to nick your data or use you as a zombie, you need to be as secure as possible. Which usually means be upto date.
It can be for free.
David.

[rustic]

Originally Posted by bry

If you have the same problem on both machines.The you have either visited the same sites with both machines and got a virus/trojan/rootkit.(Even legitimate sites can have them)

Or it is a cross infection,ie installed something from one machine to the other.I would suggest trying another browser.But since your infection has turned off your protection,and stopping you from downloading your software,then this would most likely be pointless.

Once Trojans.Viruses etc,get rooted into your System.And disable your protection,most often they stop any further Antivirus software from working.(You could try Spybot and Malaware bytes,CC Cleaner etc but maybe too late for them also).
Microsoft essentials may work.You could,since you are using Mcafee try this.It may work for you.
http://www.mcafee.com/uk/downloads/f...itremover.aspx.
If you do a restore.make sure it is a virus free(Obviously)Failing that back up any unsaved data(Reinstall after virus checked)And do a reformat.And a clean install of your operating system.Just one point.I never name my current drive C:\ Viruses trojans etc always search for this drive letter,then install their poison accordingly.
If none of this works re post(If you can) .

Hi Bry, thanks for the link, the root kit remover found no issues, but great to know. thanks.

Rustic

[rustic]

Originally Posted by clivvy

you can try Microsoft Security Essentials http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...tials-download
but you can also try a system restore if it is running on your pc
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

Hi Clivvy, loaded this and ran it, it has done quite a few updates, and the computer is running well, but I have not attempted to upload McAfee YET...

So if I don't upload McAfee, is microsoft essentials adequate as virus protection on it's own, or do I need other protection?

Since I am on BT and McAfee is free... it seems the cheapest choice, BUT do I need it?

Thanks for your help,
best regards,
Rustic

[rustic]

Originally Posted by Peasgood1

AVG was very good for a long time but MS Security Essentials is my current favourite.
No problems here and I do visit some dodgy sites, not just this one.

Only have one in there though, delete McAfee

Thanks Peasgood1, as per my earlier post, do I need more than just MS Security Essentials?

Thanks again,
Rustic

[Peasgood1]

That is all that is on mine.

[rustic]

Originally Posted by Peasgood1

That is all that is on mine.

If this is what others think too, I will remove the McAfee from my Acer netbook, as it slows it down...

Thanks for reassurance.

Typed on my main computer as all seems to be well without McAfee

I like this club...

Rustic

[trophymick]

Google McAfee removal tool, this sh1t is deep in the computer.
Don't just use add remove programmes as it leaves most of it still there.

I use MS security essentials too.

I used Linux (Zorin) up to a few weeks ago when I got a new desktop computer, it was/is streets better than windoze 7!

[clivvy]

Originally Posted by rustic

Hi Clivvy, loaded this and ran it, it has done quite a few updates, and the computer is running well, but I have not attempted to upload McAfee YET...

So if I don't upload McAfee, is microsoft essentials adequate as virus protection on it's own, or do I need other protection?

Since I am on BT and McAfee is free... it seems the cheapest choice, BUT do I need it?

Thanks for your help,
best regards,
Rustic

remove McAfee asap, as TrophyMick has said, the software gets quiet deep into yoru system so a removal tool is the best course of action. McAfee does work, it is legitimate, but to do its job it has a method that frankly is no good for modern PCs. Security Essentials, AVG whatever will be way better, and free. MCAfee comes free, but is paid for via your BT charges!

[bry]

Also only run one security program at a time.Otherwise you may well end up with conflicts.I used to use MCAfee some years ago.But lke others have said it gets deep rooted in your PC,and takes up too much resources.Nowadays i use Nod32 By Eset.It is a paid version.But i have used it for sometime,and happy with it.Updates often and unobtrusive and not power hungry.

[arcascomp]

I need to add that Microsoft Security Essentials used to be very good, but is now no longer even classed as a suitable AV product by independent comparisons as it misses way, way too many attacks. Microsoft used to have a partnership deal with major AV companies to help maintain the AV engine in MSE but that has ceased and the quality of the product has drastically reduced because of this.

Bull Guard is supposed to be quite good, no experience of it myself, have to put up with Trend at work - not the nicest to use either! Get McAffe off your PC and don't venture ANYWHERE near Norton as it's even worse! I've had AVG free on before and it seems okay, but I no longer have my own XP machine to worry about.

As said, use the removal tool to completely strip the stuff off or it'll cause issues much later on.

[Peasgood1]

Having read arcascomp's post i had a quick Google of "best free antivirus" and it appears MSE isn't as highly rated as it was.
Looks like Avast is the one to have now.

I do only use MSE myself and haven't had any problems (as far as i know). Once or twice Chrome has told me "don't go there", so maybe your browser choice is important too.

Your own common sense and avoiding dodgy links is probably one of the best things to use. Unfortunately this option isn't available to everyone

[Banshee]

Ah must have missed this one, even if I a a bit late I'll give you my 2p worth given that I'm a 2nd Line Support I.T Technician by trade if any of you didn't know already.

Rustic, your machine sounds like it could do with updating to be fair, XP and IE7/8 are very outdated now and have gone end of life meaning Microsoft will no longer plug security vulnerabilities for them. XP is a nice solid system but just too insecure now. Get yourself an upgrade to Windows 7 and IE10 if you favour the Microsoft browsers, if you don't mind a 3rd party browser, it's Chrome all the way for me but this is personal preference of course.

If you do decide to go down the upgrade route, don't bother worrying about the Virus as long as you've backed your files up, the format of the Hard Drive will wipe the viruses with it.
However, if you do opt to keep XP and want to repair it, I'd suggest downloading and installing the latest version of Malwarebytes;
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Install, Update and do a Full System Scan, once it's done leave it installed, this can be run alongside your Anti Virus program whatever you choose to go with. From that point of view I would recommend either Sophos, Bullguard or Microsoft Security Essentials in that order

Hope you get it fixed mate and feel free to drop me a PM if you get stuck

[arcascomp]

Agree with Banshee's comment regarding malwarebytes but steer clear of MS Security Essentials, AVTEST is the people to look at when choosing an AV product as they do regular certification tests and MSE has failed more than once. It does score highly for not impacting your machine/browsing experience, probably because it ignores most potential risks!

Look at the results page for XP here: http://www.av-test.org/en/tests/home...p/marapr-2013/