# Got a computer virus, have a question. **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [April 28, 2008, 1:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144 "2008-04-28T13:09:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ssdragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@ssdragon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ssdragon)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 1:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/1 "2008-04-28T13:09:12Z")
I have a virus that is the type that will keep popping open internet windows and they have notices that i have a virus. The windows are from some company called virus fire or something like that. I was using macafee for a while then it expired and i was ok for a year. Should I renew with mcafee or is there a better less expensive alternative? I couldnt figure out how to get rid of the virus on my own so i need a program that will clean it up for me. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Swarzkopf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@Swarzkopf](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Swarzkopf)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 1:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/2 "2008-04-28T13:15:51Z")
Google for and download AVG anti-virus. It’s free Update the program and scan your system. If that doesn’t fix it, report back. ---
**Author:** ![bics56](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@bics56](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bics56)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 1:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/3 "2008-04-28T13:16:21Z")
This could be a stupid/wrong answer but I would try resetting your computer to a date before you got the virus. Then add the free avg software.??? ---
**Author:** ![ssdragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@ssdragon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ssdragon)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 1:23pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/4 "2008-04-28T13:23:22Z")
Ok so I’ll look for the AVG program. I have no clue how to reset my computer back to a different date. How do I do that and If i do, what are the risks? Would I lose everything after that date? ---
**Author:** ![bics56](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@bics56](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bics56)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 1:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/5 "2008-04-28T13:29:47Z")
go to all programs click on accesories goto system tools click on system restore Everything you saved should be fine ---
**Author:** ![noahTHEpurdy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/87869e/32.png) [@noahTHEpurdy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/noahTHEpurdy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 4:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/6 "2008-04-28T16:41:03Z")
There’s a good chance the trojan is sitting in his system restore files (As most anti-virus software doesn’t check there.) AVG just came out with a new version. That’s your first bet: > **[AVG AntiVirus FREE](https://filehippo.com/download_avg-antivirus-free/)** > > AVG AntiVirus FREE ---
**Author:** ![Shaggy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shaggy/32/5945_2.png) [@Shaggy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shaggy)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/7 "2008-04-28T16:42:26Z")
avg ftw ---
**Author:** ![xlogic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/59ef9b/32.png) [@xlogic](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/xlogic)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/8 "2008-04-28T18:28:55Z")
> [@I bought a mac because...](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-bought-a-mac-because/36127/25): > > There’s a good chance the trojan is sitting in his system restore files (As most anti-virus software doesn’t check there.) Any real virus these days deletes restore points…and/or embeds itself in files that system restore usually won’t touch(Files critical for proper system operation), if this is so you may be looking at a reformat/reinstallation. But nobody can go any further with there assumptions until you report back so with that said…update us! ---
**Author:** ![Swarzkopf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@Swarzkopf](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Swarzkopf)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 6:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/9 "2008-04-29T06:15:22Z")
Yeah, a system restore, if I recall correctly, rolls back any changed registry settings and installed software without really effecting the kernel files…so, if the malware has infected kernel files (which good malware usually does), a system restore won’t do anything. So: > Google for and download AVG anti-virus. It’s free Update the program and scan your system. If that doesn’t fix it, report back. ---
**Author:** ![ssdragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@ssdragon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ssdragon)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 9:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/10 "2008-04-29T09:49:25Z")
Did the AVG thing and didnt do a system restore and things so far are back to normal. it found 21 virus files and deleted them. It took 2 and a half hours to scan then i clicked a few things and it seemed ok. I’ll see more tonight when i get home. Thanks guys. ---
**Author:** ![xlogic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/59ef9b/32.png) [@xlogic](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/xlogic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/11 "2008-04-29T10:04:00Z")
> [@FS: Borla catback exhaust Mustang 99-04 GT/Mach1](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-borla-catback-exhaust-mustang-99-04-gt-mach1/35012/22): > > Did the AVG thing and didnt do a system restore and things so far are back to normal. it found 21 virus files and deleted them. It took 2 and a half hours to scan then i clicked a few things and it seemed ok. I’ll see more tonight when i get home. Thanks guys. Good deal, keep an eye out…i’ve seen some viruses/spyware/malware that appeared to be gone but within a few hours resurfaced. ---
**Author:** ![8Grand](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/8grand/32/5940_2.png) [@8Grand](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/8Grand)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/12 "2008-04-29T10:19:35Z")
Push system updates as well, cant hurt. Update to IE 7 as well. I prefer it over IE6 anyday(except for my work machine which it refuses to install correctly) ---
**Author:** ![xlogic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/59ef9b/32.png) [@xlogic](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/xlogic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 11:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/13 "2008-04-29T11:07:04Z")
> [@FS: last of tires gotta go](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-last-of-tires-gotta-go/17246/15): > > Push system updates as well, cant hurt. Update to IE 7 as well. I prefer it over IE6 anyday(except for my work machine which it refuses to install correctly) Firefox\>IE6/7/8/9/10/11tybillion ---
**Author:** ![noahTHEpurdy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/87869e/32.png) [@noahTHEpurdy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/noahTHEpurdy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/14 "2008-04-29T11:48:46Z")
Also, on the maintenance side of things how often do you clean out your temp files, defrag, etc? ---
**Author:** ![Swarzkopf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@Swarzkopf](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Swarzkopf)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 12:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/15 "2008-04-29T12:02:22Z")
> Push system updates as well, cant hurt. Update to IE 7 as well. I prefer it over IE6 anyday(except for my work machine which it refuses to install correctly) Excellent advice. Install all available MS security updates…vulnerability driven viruses/worms can’t infect vulnerabilities that have been patched. Plus, the MS “Monthly Malware Removal Kit” actually does work for particular popular worms/DDoS clients/ect… ---
**Author:** ![pghdsm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pghdsm](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/pghdsm)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 1:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/16 "2008-04-29T13:00:43Z")
Sounds like you have spyware or malware. Webroot Spysweeper can be had for $19.99. Also use FireFox as your browser, you will never go back to IE. My $.02. - Brett ---
**Author:** ![noahTHEpurdy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/87869e/32.png) [@noahTHEpurdy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/noahTHEpurdy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/17 "2008-04-29T14:57:00Z")
> [@CRX vs Lambo Murci](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/crx-vs-lambo-murci/36156/10): > > Webroot Spysweeper can be had for $19.99. There are better, free alternatives. ---
**Author:** ![8Grand](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/8grand/32/5940_2.png) [@8Grand](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/8Grand)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 2:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/18 "2008-04-29T14:58:30Z")
> [@Skyline Setting its sights on....](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/skyline-setting-its-sights-on/35915/87): > > Firefox\>IE6/7/8/9/10/11tybillion stay on topic, i didnt come in here to start a browser war. ---
**Author:** ![xlogic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/59ef9b/32.png) [@xlogic](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/xlogic)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/19 "2008-04-29T16:34:41Z")
> [@8Grand"](#): > > stay on topic, i didnt come in here to start a browser war. That is on topic…half of the malware problem STARTS in IE…too many holes in security. ---
**Author:** ![noahTHEpurdy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/87869e/32.png) [@noahTHEpurdy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/noahTHEpurdy)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144/20 "2008-04-29T17:00:42Z")
> [@Laptop help needed ASAP !!!!!](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/laptop-help-needed-asap/36166/4): > > That is on topic…half of the malware problem STARTS in IE…too many holes in security. Actually IE7 isn’t all that bad, and recently hackers / etc have been targeting Firefox / Safari. In fact in the last month, no new security threats for IE7 have been reported however there have been for both Firefox and Safari. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/got-a-computer-virus-have-a-question/197144.md?page=2)