Computer Virus

[billie1]

Hello

My laptop have caught a virus and wouldn't allow me to open any programmes. I was thinking of purchaing the Norton anti virus software, would this help solve the problem?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DesignerNick]

If you already have the Virus you might have issues installing the anti virus.

You could try using Malware Bytes and CC Cleaner in Safe Mode which will find a fair whack of the baddies but they are never 100%.

Also there is combofix that will remove other baddies but again it isn't 100%.

 

[mit74]

norton AV is probably the worst you can buy. Get either kaspersky or nod32. Also download malware bytes and scan in safe mode.

 

[RemoteTechs]

Hi Billie,

I would recommend AVG to protect you from Viruses ONCE the computer has been cleaned up and is running properly , however to remove the virus you will probably need to run a combination of anti virus and rootkit removal tools.
Unfortunately as viruses have become more advanced, gone are the days where you could run a simple scan and things are fixed in 10 minutes, most of the time viruses are very difficult to remove and require a degree of experience at doing it manually and knowing what should and shouldn't be running on your computer.
Also, as you are probably aware from this virus, you are not able to run or install programs as the virus seems to have blocked you from installing .exe or msi extensions, again this will mean just simply installing Norton and running a scan will not work. You can try in safe mode by pressing F8 during the boot sequence, but you will need to use "Safe mode with Networking" to enable you to update the anti virus definitions of the software you choose, other wise you will not be using the most up to date version.
I hope this helps.

 

[billie1]

Thanks for all your replies, will keep you updated.

 

[billie1]

How do I put laptop in safe mode, I've tried F8 and that doesn't work.

 

[DesignerNick]

When it is first booting up. Keep tapping f8 and it will give you a menu with some options.

Choose "Safe Mode with Networking"

 

[andrew.sanders]

Got to go with Mit74 here - either package is good. I know with Kaspersky you can cretae a boot disc - which you may well need to clear your viruses.

 

[leemason]

If you already have the Virus you might have issues installing the anti virus.

You could try using Malware Bytes and CC Cleaner in Safe Mode which will find a fair whack of the baddies but they are never 100%.

Also there is combofix that will remove other baddies but again it isn't 100%.

I've got to agree here. If you already have a virus then trying to install anti-virus software will almost certainly not work (assuming you have a virus of course). You need to clean the system of viruses before installing anything. Depending upon the type of virus safe mode may not work. You may end up having to re-install. Obviously if you do this make sure that you have a good backup of your data! If you don't have a good recent backup you may need to do this by putting the disk from your laptop into another PC to do the backup. Not idea but it may be your only option.

Remember when you have fixed this problem that a good backup system is as essential as good anti-virus protection.

 

[stefanraj]

Yes it will definitly help you,Right now in market there are lots of antivirus.If the virus is big then its better to format the system,Because no anti virus can remove all the virus.
Use some paid version of good anti virus.

 

[WebsiteTreasureHunt]

Yes definitely get your anti-virus software up to date!! Good luck!

 

[crumble]

As suggested - use Malware Bytes in safe mode

Then purchase an antivirus program - go for Kaspersky or NOD32 - avoid any of the free ones ideally, and I wouldn't bother paying for Norton, AVG, etc

 

[james.caple]

My two cents:

-Reinstall windows. It takes 2 hours, and you've got a clean hard drive, your computer will be fast as it was the day you bought it, you can use the opportunity to remove all the programs you don't want and santa claus will bring you a pony.

Just make sure you know where your data is! If it's on the hard drive and you have no backup, then you'd better not format the hard drive in the process (there's an option for this in the setup).