Annoying Pop Up (malware infection?)

popmuze

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Today I started receiving an annoying pop up that advertises itself as a virus prevention site. It keeps popping up every two minutes or so. It's actually a site that costs $60 bucks to install and I don't trust it. But now I get notes from fear-stoking official looking sites asking me to download it.

How do I get rid of this thing.
 

Yeshanu

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You probably need to download and run a reputable virus scan program. I'd recommend Spybot and AVG--they're both free. There are some programs that advertise themselves as being anti-virus and anti-spyware when they are in fact viruses or spyware or malware themselves, and it looks like you've been infected with one of those. Good luck!
 

Clair Dickson

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AHHHH!

If you keep getting this pop-up regardless of what site you are on, your computer is infected with malware. If it's Antivirus 360 or Antivirus 2009, then it's a really nasty one to get rid of (and often brings in some vile Trojans.)

First, get a good virus scanner, such as AVG. (I use Avira, both are free.)

If you do indeed have Antivirus 360o r2009, then you will need to get Malware Bytes. I have never successfully removed AV360/2009 without Malware Bytes. Luckily Malware Bytes is free and easy to use.

Right click on the little shield by your clock. If it includes the option to "Exit" do so.
Scan with AVG or Avira.
Scan with Malware Bytes.
Scan again with virus scanner.

MacAfee, Symantec, and Norton are no good against Antivirus 360/2009.
 

popmuze

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It is indeed Antivirus 360!

Wish me luck.
 

Clair Dickson

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Then you will need Malware Bytes. You might be best unplugging from the internet while you scan. Help limit the number of virii invited in.

Good luck. With MB and a good AV scanner, you should recover from this.

But a sacrifice to the technology gods never hurts.
 

dpaterso

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I looked for a Tech Help forum sticky thread on antivirus and anti-malware protection... if there is one, it's hiding itself.

These two seem to do the biz for me:

http://free.avg.com/download - AVG free for personal use, download and install

http://pack.google.com - download and install Spyware Doctor

...tho' I'm using Vista which also has its own defender software running.

-Derek