Wierd Virus

[LivingInStereo]

So my good ol' father was browsing on the internet and, while I'm not sure of the catalyst, there is now a virus on his computer (I think). There is a window that pops up every few minutes that says the computer is at risk, and opening it brings us to Windows security which says there is a threat, clicking that brings us to a web site prompting us to purchase some third party virus protection, which we found suspicious. Additionally opening Windows security normally says there is no threat, and Norton can't seem to find anything either. Does anybody know what's going on or how to fix it?

 

[iJosh]

Format :C

 

[Destal]

If it's telling you to buy a specific anti virus that isn't like Mcafee or Symantec it's a virus telling you to download another virus.

 

[AkJay]

There are some virus' that will pop that window up, it's happened to me a few times, but only upon visiting certain obscure sites - NO! not those sites.

 

[DazZ.]

Google whatever "virus software" it's trying to make you download and add the word virus on the end.

Should come up with a fix.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Update and run your anti-virus, Block pop-ups on the internet(they could be those internet pop-ups that look like computer warnings), shut down and restart your computer, then

Google whatever "virus software" it's trying to make you download and add the word virus on the end.

Should come up with a fix.

That should do it.

 

[drakenabarion]

I had a virus once where it wouldn't let IE connect to any other page than a fake anti-virus software, It changed the desktop pic to a warning screen, and provided pop up messages saying that the computer is at risk (that part makes it a very Honest virus ). Also I couldn't change the desktop image etc.

The AV software couldn't detect any virus.

After some very annoying research online (pop ups are VERY annoying!!!), I found that software names something like "Superspywareremover" was able to get rid of it. Sounds like an awful and cheesy program, but it worked.

That Virus I had apparently tricked thousands of naive users into buying a product that doesn't work...

Anyway, that software should find it. It surprised me how good it was.

 

[superbleeder12]

sounds like a variant of personal AV. its pretty easy to get rid of.

run task manager, stop the personalAV process (or whatever variant name you have)

go into your program files directory, delete the PersonalAV directory and then restart, you shouldn't have any issue with it.

I work for a large multinational consumer pc repair company which is a subsidary of another company... I won't name any names.

 

[CuddlyCombine]

So my good ol' father was browsing on the internet and, while I'm not sure of the catalyst, there is now a virus on his computer (I think). There is a window that pops up every few minutes that says the computer is at risk, and opening it brings us to Windows security which says there is a threat, clicking that brings us to a web site prompting us to purchase some third party virus protection, which we found suspicious. Additionally opening Windows security normally says there is no threat, and Norton can't seem to find anything either. Does anybody know what's going on or how to fix it?

Sounds more like some pesky malware than an outright virus. Try Malwarebytes; it should be able to find anything that's out of the ordinary and fix it (and yes, it is very trustworthy). Hopefully that works!

 

[Odude]

A lot of anti-virus companies will write malware of their own that causes windows to pop up to get you to download their software. I've had this happen before too. If all else fails, you can call the company and they will tell you how to remove it. At least that's what I did.

 

[Zacharine]

Just plain AV is not enough to protect the computer, use anti-spyware/malware programs also.

Ad-Aware works perfectly for me, finds some of those pesky programs that do mora of the annoying sort than actual damage that my F-secure can't seem to detect.

Malwarebytes.org is also a good and trustworthy site.

If none of those work, try googling the site where it is redirecting you, with the keyword 'malware' or 'virus' attached. Once removed, run a full scan on the computer, just to be sure it left no nasty surprises behind.

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

Burn your computer!

It is the only cure.

Alternatively, scan the pc with this

If you have any viruses in memory, it'll nuke them and cure the pc.

anyone tested this? i dont DOUBT fluffy as such but....

 

[Marshmallow]

I got that sort of virus once. I simply restored my computer to a previous date and it seems to have gone away.

 

[Zacharine]

Also, remember in the future that pure Windows firewall is generally worth nothing and that connecting your computer to the internet (as in, plugging the cord) and leaving the computer running by itself (without actively opening any programs or web-browsers) without an active firewall, within 10 minutes the chances of getting infected with some kind of malware or virus is around 50 percent.

A constantly active firewall, with preferably real-time web-traffic scanning AV-software and some form of registry locking/surveillance (stops/detecs any changes to your computer registry) would be preferrable.

I've been saved several times from such pesky malware by the Ad-Aware Ad-Watch Live Registry Protection feature. It's nice to see a malware get blocked by a message of

"Warning! Registry change at MainUser/BLaaBlaaBlaa/Win32.hablaa detected. Action blocked. If you are installing a program from a trusted source, you can override this protection by..."

Or

"Warning! A suspicious software (MainUser/Hablaa/hablaa/currentUser/hablaa/win32keyHook.blaa) of Threat Action Index 3 or greater was detected on your computer. The program was blocked. Background scan has been activated. You may continue working normally and once the scan has completed you will be prompted for future action"

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

well i decided my comp couldnt get any worse (its been so fucked i decidd just to build a new one and burn this tower) so i went ahead and tried it anyway.

14 instances of trojan fakealert and i FINALLY got that jackass who's been backdooring my comp off of it.

use this software, guys.

do it nao. XD

 

[VincentX3]

Avast is you're friend.

Never failed me once so far.

 

[Scumpernickle]

Its just a pop-up, its normally caused by visiting a website that's infected with the virus. When you open the website it opens up the pop-up telling you that you have a virus and you need their software.

Most idiots would download it thinking that it would solve their problems, but it just makes everything worse. Just ignore it and do not download any "anti-virus" software from pop-ups.

 

[MajoraPersona]

There are some virus' that will pop that window up, it's happened to me a few times, but only upon visiting certain obscure sites - NO! not those sites.

If you, sir, are referring to the internet's true purpose (nude women, aka pornography), then I assure you no such sites are obscure.

 

[A Weary Exile]

So my good ol' father was browsing on the internet and, while I'm not sure of the catalyst, there is now a virus on his computer (I think). There is a window that pops up every few minutes that says the computer is at risk, and opening it brings us to Windows security which says there is a threat, clicking that brings us to a web site prompting us to purchase some third party virus protection, which we found suspicious. Additionally opening Windows security normally says there is no threat, and Norton can't seem to find anything either. Does anybody know what's going on or how to fix it?

I had the exact same thing and listen to me when I say DO NOT BUY THAT THING!!!!!

Look for a file called 'Personal Virus' Something or other (It has a yellow logo) that should be it you'll have to do a lot of tinkering to delete it because it has locks on it. It looks like a legitimate anti-virus software but it isn't so don't be fooled.

That's what I had at least, I don't know if you have the exact same thing.

 

[userwhoquitthesite]

well i decided my comp couldnt get any worse (its been so fucked i decidd just to build a new one and burn this tower) so i went ahead and tried it anyway.

14 instances of trojan fakealert and i FINALLY got that jackass who's been backdooring my comp off of it.

use this software, guys.

do it nao. XD

[sub]assuming your talking about what I recommended[/sub]

He he, glad it worked, Dr. web is where it's at. It's the first thing I use when I have to go fix someones comp that's been infected with a ton of viruses(You have no Idea how many times I've had to do this ^_^).

Also, instead of buying a whole new computer you can just re-install windows, that will make it good as new .

so yeah, um, downloaded the full version for trial... It killed my comp. There's some registry error that it conflicted with and now it cant finish booting. So me and a friend are gonna attach a temporary hard drive and fuck with it from there.

also, i know i can just reinstall windows, but i kind of just want to have a better pc XD.

I mean, the one i have/had is pretty hardcore, considering i paid less than around 300 for it AND the monitor, but i'd really just like to go ahead and build a powerhouse. rawr