Computer advice needed, virus protection.

[rustic]

I wonder if any of you guys can advise.
My main computer runs Internet explorer, and microsoft XP and I have a BT internet account and have their free inclusive McAfee virus protection.

The computer wouldn't access my emails this morning, and after investigating, the McAfee virus protection has been removed from the computer, and when I try to up load the software from the BT site, the computer will not allow the page to be loaded, it just starts, then remains blank, so clearly some... nasty has got onto the system.

Later on I started up the acer netbook on Windows 7 starter, again internet explorer, with the intention of running the McAfee scan for viruses, well this got about 37% through, then stopped and locked up, so I would guess the same virus has attacked this too.

So is there a good free virus software that I can upload, to help get rid of this problem.

Just over 3 years ago, the main computer picked up a Trojan, and I took it into PC World, and they removed the malware, and I then uploaded McAfee and it has been ok since.

The internet connection works, and I can get onto websites BUT it will not allow me to get my software.

This post was sent from my Ipad, so I hope this doesn't suffer the same problem, as they will all be in the skip tomorrow...:doh

Hope you can help,

best regards,

Rustic

 

[clivvy]

you can try Microsoft Security Essentials http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download

but you can also try a system restore if it is running on your pc

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

:thumbs

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Where I used to work, we had a lot of issues with McAffie, so had to find an alternative.

One of the problem with going for the "Big" guys, is they are also the ones hackers deliberately set out to get round, so after a lot of searching I went down the BullGuard Route

Had it for about 8 years now, and love it.

They do a Free trial, so go and have a look.

 

[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. :naughty

Only have one in there though, delete McAfee

 

[Terranical]

Where I used to work, we had a lot of issues with McAffie, so had to find an alternative.

One of the problem with going for the "Big" guys, is they are also the ones hackers deliberately set out to get round, so after a lot of searching I went down the BullGuard Route

Had it for about 8 years now, and love it.

They do a Free trial, so go and have a look.

Bullguard comes highly recommended by Which magazine.

 

[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/free-tools/rootkitremover.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) .

 

[stevo]

disconnect from the internet. Immediately.

Your ipad will be safe - totally different operating systems

Any anti virus softwareyou download needs to be on another computer, and saved to a memory stick then installed from there.

Spybot is good! finds trackers and all sorts. AVG free, PC Firewall too

 

[rustic]

There are some interesting points there, thanks all for your input.

Last week, before all this happened, I was deleting a lot of cr4p from my emails on the main computer, the emails are of course common to both machines.

What I will do is have a look after the weekend as we have a busy day or two, the netbook I managed to force it to shut down, and it is now doing a new scan, and it has got further than last time, however as it is slow, it takes several hours :doh:doh Still going..............

Interesting point re the attacks on well known companies, stands to reason, as they are more popular, and they are more of a challenge, and have a greater impact.

I just wish those people creating these things can get a real job, makes you think if there are people out there who create real viruses because they can...

Thanks for your help so far, any further assistance will be appreciated, and I will post the outcome next week.:thumb2


No need to remind me, why I don't do internet banking...:doh
Thank goodness...

Rustic

 

[kitchenman]

Avg free

I can vouch for AVG, I have uses it for years, it caught viruses sent to me in email from persons with paid for virus software.
Make a point of setting your virus software to update every day or every time you switch it on, both is better

 

[bry]

Or you could inform BT. That their antivirus software sucks..

 

[jims-terrano]

Rustic look at it another way. If it wasn't for people creating these virus's then there would be no need for Anti Virus companies???????

I with the others about Microsoft Security Essentials but you find people have a favourite AV simply because that's what they've used.

You'll find a lot of AV companies also provide a downloadable scanner that you simply run rather than installing, Sophos do a good scanning tool but you'll get a lot of people that poo poo Sophos too.

Malware Bytes is a good scanning tool too but this is an install which may not work because of that.

 

[bry]

Rustic look at it another way. If it wasn't for people creating these virus's then there would be no need for Anti Virus companies???????

I with the others about Microsoft Security Essentials but you find people have a favourite AV simply because that's what they've used.

You'll find a lot of AV companies also provide a downloadable scanner that you simply run rather than installing, Sophos do a good scanning tool but you'll get a lot of people that poo poo Sophos too.

Malware Bytes is a good scanning tool too but this is an install which may not work because of that.

Like i said.
http://www.mcafee.com/uk/downloads/f...itremover.aspx.:clap

 

[supergnome]

The above replies while helpful will not get you away from the major fault that you have.
XP and Internet explorer. Neither are updatable on your system.
Change operating systems to one which is upto date. For you it will be W7. or you could try a linux based one for free. A brutal solution but probably the long term one for old hardware. Best of luck. David,

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

my oldest pc a tower with xp gets regular updates.

all my machines and phones run avast

 

[rustic]

The above replies while helpful will not get you away from the major fault that you have.
XP and Internet explorer. Neither are updatable on your system.
Change operating systems to one which is upto date. For you it will be W7. or you could try a linux based one for free. A brutal solution but probably the long term one for old hardware. Best of luck. David,

Well the main computer has all the hardware belts and whistles, even digital TV, but it is old technology now, 90 % of my computer time is web searching and forums like this, and they tend to be on the Ipad, main computer mainly used for word, printing, photos, so it might be worth considering making it off line if all else fails, provided that I can download attachments direct from the ipad to the computer, without opening them as the Ipad can't do a lot with power point etc.

Why can't computers last as long as my Mav...:doh :lol:lol:lol

 

[bry]

More T.LC maybe..

 

[supergnome]

Quite right TtT2.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/endofsupport.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]

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/free-tools/rootkitremover.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.:thumb2

Rustic

 

[rustic]

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

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...:nenau

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]

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. :naughty

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