I have a virus. :(

Discussion in 'Computers and Technology' started by iggypop, Mar 18, 2010.

  1. iggypop

    iggypop Level I

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    Hi.
    So, pretty much I'm like the most computer illiterate person you'll ever meet.
    I wanted to update my computer to a windows 7 thing. Before even checking if my computer would be compatible I started to erase everything on it. Turns out I can't install windows 7. So I installed firefox and just used this computer for simple internet browsing. Someone in my family got a virus on it (I uninstalled the antivirus I had).
    There is a random demo of an antivirus on my computer so I did a scan and I see words like Trojan, Adware, Worm, Key Logger, Stealth Email something something. Anyways, from the one computer class I have taken in high school, I'm pretty sure that this is bad.
    So can anyone tell me how I can fix this? Like, what program should I download? I do have an antivirus thingy that I uninstalled that I can redownload but doesn't a keylogger keep track of what you type?? or something like that?? COuld they steal it or something?
    Any help would be helpful :)

    (and if i'm not supposed to ask this stuff here, sorry)
     
  2. Stop

    Stop Level IV

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2008
    Messages:
    925
    Likes Received:
    34
    First of all, what is the demo? Some demo programs will say you have a virus, even if you don't, in order for you to buy their product, tricky I know, but if its something trustworthy like Norton or something like that then I'd say you do. Next question is what internet service provider do you have? I know some, like comcast, provide a free anti-virus program, that works nicely.
     
  3. iggypop

    iggypop Level I

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    The computer is shut off right now, but later, when I turn it on I'll check the name of the demo.
    I have cogeco. (pretty sure that's a canadian one, idk) I just checked, and the package I have doesn't have a free antivirus.
    I get pop-ups from my actual computer saying things like "(a file) tried to execute but it had a virus so we stopped it" or something like that. I tried to download something from the microsoft website called a malware remover. But after I downloaded it, when I tried to run it, that message comes up.
     
  4. domini212

    domini212 Level III

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2008
    Messages:
    454
    Likes Received:
    7
    try malwarebytes its free and will get rid of it especially if its a fake antivir program
     
  5. chauftws

    chauftws Level II

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    Messages:
    165
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    NYC
    Most demos are usually bs and used just to trick you into dling their software and thus getting the virus or purchasing their software. Try ESET NOD32 I've been using it for years and by far is the best Antivirus software I've used. Takes very minimal resources to run and doesn't slow down your computer significantly like others while running scans.
     
  6. iggypop

    iggypop Level I

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    Can I just download the free trial, remove the virus, and then uninstall?

    Also, I tried to open the Add/Remove Programs thing and it won't let me. It also won't let me open task manager. Something pops up and it says:

    "Application cannot be executed. The file searchprotocolhost.exe is infected. Do you want to activate your antivirus software now?"

    Arghh. this is frustrating.
     
  7. Junior

    Junior Administrator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2009
    Messages:
    3,350
    Likes Received:
    169
    Location:
    I come from a land down under! (Maaaate!)
    I think what they're trying to say is, the trial you originally downloaded was infact just a fake. It TELLS you you have a virus when in fact you may not.

    And, if you're using any programs from here they may tell you you've got suspicious activity.. I know mine does, but they're safe.

    Try downloading this:

    It is a free anti virus that from my experience works very well. However, it does block some programs here from running (I assume it blocks the ports they use to connect?)

    http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

    ALSO, if you want to try an online only virus scan, use this:

    http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp
     
  8. iggypop

    iggypop Level I

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    but how come it's not letting me use task manager?
    I don't even particularly care if its a virus, whatever it is, I've downloaded both Malwarebytes and ESET NOD32 and I haven't been able to run both.

    Also, it's not letting me use internet explorer. It keeps on leading me to the same weird website everytime, even when i just type in google.
     
  9. Junior

    Junior Administrator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2009
    Messages:
    3,350
    Likes Received:
    169
    Location:
    I come from a land down under! (Maaaate!)
    ...Maybe you do have a virus? Try a different browser :p

    Ha, I'd be reformatting. Best way to get rid of everything.

    No idea how someone manages to get a virus that bad though.

    http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/?q=node/366
    That's a guide on how to reformat windows 7.

    I'd try to help more but I'm heading out...
     
  10. iggypop

    iggypop Level I

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    Yeah, I'm using firefox right now but all the online scanners I've found need IE.
    Just my luck.
    Thing is, I'm on a computer that I'm not technically supposed to be using. It used to be my dad's computer from work so I would have to tell him to bring the reformat CD.
    Also, I'm using XP. So that article thing won't really apply.
    Thanks for your help though!
     
  11. Junior

    Junior Administrator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2009
    Messages:
    3,350
    Likes Received:
    169
    Location:
    I come from a land down under! (Maaaate!)
  12. iggypop

    iggypop Level I

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    I can't open anything I download.
     
  13. Junior

    Junior Administrator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2009
    Messages:
    3,350
    Likes Received:
    169
    Location:
    I come from a land down under! (Maaaate!)
    What virus/trojan/worm etc. did it tell you you had?

    I'll see what I can find out about that specific one... And see if I can find a solution, other than simply reformatting.
     
    iggypop likes this.
  14. iggypop

    iggypop Level I

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    What did what tell me I had? (if that makes sense)

    I listed the things the demo antivirus told me I supposedly had.
    This keeps on popping up: "Application cannot be executed. The file searchprotocolhost.exe is infected. Do you want to activate your antivirus software now?"

    Thanks so much for your help but I'm just gonna admit to my dad that I was using the computer and get him to take it to a tech support place to get it fixed without us doing anything. Or I'll just get him to reformat it.
     
  15. Junior

    Junior Administrator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2009
    Messages:
    3,350
    Likes Received:
    169
    Location:
    I come from a land down under! (Maaaate!)
    Out of curiosity.... Did you try removing the "trial" anti-virus?

    And okay, might be a good idea to just get it looked at.
     
  16. chauftws

    chauftws Level II

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    Messages:
    165
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    NYC
    you can uninstall afterwards if you like but I would suggest keeping the antivirus program :/
     
  17. Phee

    Phee Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2007
    Messages:
    6,206
    Likes Received:
    101
    The only virus you have is the FAKE antivirus "trial" program. Trust me on this. Also, what's the name of the "antivirus" program?

    To remove it you need to use malwarebytes. It might not let you open/download it; you just plain have to keep trying to and opening it. It might help if you do this:
    http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/a ... tware.html
     
  18. Shawn

    Shawn Level IV

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2009
    Messages:
    1,989
    Likes Received:
    76
    Location:
    Somewhere, lah.
    Phee is right.
    My mother managed to get one installed on our desktop.

    Although she is clueless about many computer things, she managed to remove it lol.
    malwarebytes is what she used i think
     
  19. iggypop

    iggypop Level I

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    I can't find it in the start menu thing and its not letting me open the add/remove programs and I also can't find it in the program files thing.
     
  20. chauftws

    chauftws Level II

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    Messages:
    165
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    NYC
    Why don't you just search for it, locate it and delete it from your comp and registry? Then try to running another scan >_>