Spyware/Full Computer Reset

[HamaTime™]

Ok for some reason I have no idea how this has happened, I know how to work computers but the moment they start acting up, I'm out of my comfort and skills zone. So anyone who's a big computer nerd/skilled I'm calling out to you guys!

Ok so my laptop is loaaaded with spyware, trojans, viruses...you name it. It's gotten to the point where the desktop has been replaced with a screen that says 'warning your computer is loaded with spyware' - I can't open any programs, and the whole computer wants me to buy a program called 'Total security' which has found like 80 viruses/trojans/worms whatever...lol. it costs $80

I don't really want to spend $80 on software I don't know is going to fix my problem, I'd rather just wipe the computer and save my files and reinstall windows...(Is that the best recommendation?)

or...I have a second option, the laptop is an ex high school laptop, I could possibly get it taken back there and reimaged...and start again.

So the options are:

1. Buy a new laptop (last resort)
2. School reimage
3. Self windows reset

What is the best recommendation from you guys?

[STEALTHY™]

Stop downloading porn would be my first advice.


You can do the system restore yourself if you have the disc, although since its an ex school comp, i doubt they would have given it to you.

[GetToDaChopa]

If you have an XP/Vista product key on your laptop then yes wipe your drive and start again, it's the cheapest way. After dealing with this crap for so many years, trust me just wipe it. Save your self big hassle trying to remove it.

[Bax]

Don't buy that program at all, that program is more then likely the virus that's causing half the problems.

Download some free virus scanning/ spyware scanning. Trend Micro have a website called housecall, online scanning. It may find some things for you, I'm not sure if it cleans/deletes though. Download avg or kapersky, then find some freeware spyware removal, or something with a 30 day trial.

If you can't do anything at all, and you don't mind losing anything, chuck in a windows cd and format fresh install.

[Bax]

How do I remove Total Security Virus? - Yahoo! Answers

Go there, that tells you about Total Security.

Generally if you google most of your virus/spyware problems you'll find a removal tool.

[holdensupporter2005]

I removed this from a PC today.

The Total Security is a virus itself. It looks like a antivirus software that does a fake scan and shows fake results. DO NOT PAY FOR IT.

You have to download a program called combofix
A guide and tutorial on using ComboFix

Let it do it's job and it will be gone after that.

After you have used combofix, download Windows Cleanup and run it.
Once you have done that. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software.
If you don't have any antivirus I suggest you download AVG Free.

Let me know how you go.

[STEALTHY™]

I forgot to mention in my post what the above 2 just said, Total is clearly a virus itself, so don't touch it.

[HamaTime™]

Thanks for your prompt replies guys!

Ok cool, I had my doubts about Total Security. However, there is a slight problem, I can't open any program, not even the internet browser, certain folders (like add remove programs) or literally anything, it will close them all down before you can use it, even Task Manager. So I don't know how I can install software and then delete the virus...sooo a system restore might be the best option?

However, I'm not sure how to do that so does any one have any pointers? any system restore guides on google?

[GetToDaChopa]

Thanks for your prompt replies guys!

Ok cool, I had my doubts about Total Security. However, there is a slight problem, I can't open any program, not even the internet browser, certain folders (like add remove programs) or literally anything, it will close them all down before you can use it, even Task Manager. So I don't know how I can install software and then delete the virus...sooo a system restore might be the best option?

However, I'm not sure how to do that so does any one have any pointers? any system restore guides on google?

The virus disables system restore (and deletes restore points from your computer), as i said save yourself some time and do a reformat.

[HamaTime™]

ok! Reformat it is then!

[BrAdAsS]

then invest in something like Acronis True Image so that should "this" happen again it will take 15mins to reimage the drive. (not reinstall windows and programs.....)

[Bax]

rebooting in safe mode would disable total security?

[GetToDaChopa]

rebooting in safe mode would disable total security?

Nope..........

[coolvxss]

hey i was just about to start a similar thread but might aswell write it in here. My computer must be full of viruses because i cant get into msn, or install programs. and it no longer lets me do i system restore. I am going to do a full restart thing, so my computer is back to the state when i bought it.

My question is, whats a good anti virus program to buy. im sick of this crap with viruses and adware all over my computer. I have trend micro at moment, but its 2006 model. and have tried some other free anti virus programs before, but havnt had much luck. So this time im thinking of just buying a anti virus program.

I went to some stores but there are so many different ones and didnt know what one to get. All i want it to do, is stop viruses and adware stuff, and make my computer more secure so i can start using ebay and stuff without being scared of someone hacking my account.

Thanks guys

[Bax]

avg or kapersky.

To be honest though I don't use any antivirus software and I've been fine for years. When I did have av it was avg - I've never liked Norton or McAfee.

http://www.kaspersky.com/downloads
http://free.avg.com/download

[omaz78]

Dont use avg i reckon its one of the worst you could use even the one you pay for i use eset smart security antivirus-antispyware and a firewall ive never had a problem in 5-6 years and i use malwarebytes and sunbelt counterspy dont have any problems with anything and use iobit advanced system care pro for cleaning and optimizing and jv16 powertools for the registry and ultimate defrag 2008 for defraging to keep thing going pretty quick.

[holdensupporter2005]

AVG ftw

[stocky]

Dont use avg i reckon its one of the worst you could use even the one you pay for i use eset smart security antivirus-antispyware and a firewall ive never had a problem in 5-6 years and i use malwarebytes and sunbelt counterspy dont have any problems with anything and use iobit advanced system care pro for cleaning and optimizing and jv16 powertools for the registry and ultimate defrag 2008 for defraging to keep thing going pretty quick.

and why is that? never had a problem with AVG before

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

There is a program called Malwarebytes' AntiMailware, one of the best removal tools you can get, just download that and run it. Another one is SUPERAntiSpyware.

[alien]

HamaTime, being an ex school laptop it will be really easy to re-image at the school. Most schools have all the IBM images on DVD sent out to them. You purchased it for them they'll be able to do it for you, i suggest taking in some spirits/bourban/scotch/whiskey for the tech who does it for you :P

[Junny]

sent you a pm

[Junny]

spybot search and destroy + kaspersky =]

[coolvxss]

How does norton 2010 go?

[GetToDaChopa]

Burn Norton, burn it!! burn!!!

I can't believe there are people who still get Norton. Don't get it.

[coolvxss]

what bad about it? Im so confused with all this stuff. all i want is to go down the shops and buy a program that can do it all haha