Viruses

[ksdoglady]

I hope this is the right place for this discussion.  I have an HP desktop.  It is about 5 years old.  It runs XP and I have been using the AVG free edition antivirus and the browser I use is Firefox.  It has served me very well for 4 1/2 years.  However, I have gotten a virus or trojan 3 times since September.  I just got my computer back on Friday and because I was leaving town for the weekend, I didn't restart it until Sunday night.  I downloaded the latest AVG 9.0 free edition.  Tonight, right in the middle of an email I started getting pop--ups and notification that I had a virus again.  What am I doing wrong?

My husband's laptop is also an HP, running Windows Vista, and that is what I am typing on now.  He hasn't had any virus issues.  Both are connected to the same router.  Help?

I obviously need to change my antivirus software, but what else could be going on?  Any suggestions of where to take my computer for cleaning?  Obviously the place I have been using is not getting it taken care of.

Thanks for any advice or sympathy!

[ksdoglady]

And I forgot to mention, My husband also uses the AVG 9.0 free edition for his anti-virus.  He has never been infected.  Also, the last 3 weeks my computer was in the shop, I used his machine for all the things I normally do on mine.  No problems.

[Bucksboy]

Sympathize I can do. Advise I can not. I had a similar problem about a month ago with my Dell. I have had McAfee protection that I purchase annually. This had protected my computer very well until, like I say, perhaps a month ago.
I do not take my computer any where to repair it. I simply contact McAfee and they repair it on line as I watch, obviously with my permission. I had to do this twice, perhaps a week apart. I told them they must not have gotten the Trojan out the first time but it did me no good, I still had to pay the complete repair amount both times. I was not very happy about that, but I have not had any problems since! I continue to cross my fingers though!

[ksdoglady]

I am seriously considering a Mac.....about time to replace the old one anyway, but I wonder if all my backed up data will transfer to a new operating system...obviously I am not very well educated on how these things work!

[Lou]

A possible solution, DogLagy, would be to download some supposedly free software called Spyware Doctor:

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/

It's a legitimate site (PC Tools Magazine) that's safe.  It appears to be compatable with XP, Vista and Win 7.  I haven't downloaded it myself, but I know someone who has.  But don't be surprised to find that they'll want to sell you something in exchange for the free download.  Check all the fine print before you make the decision.  I think it'll remove most virus and trojan infections.  Hope this helps.  Best of luck with your current issue.

[Karl Peschel]

Spyware Doctor is free and they do have a paid version too. Fairly effective at removing malware and trojans. My fave is Malwarebytes AntiMalware. It is free, works well, but does not provide realtime protection. You have to force a scan weekly or whatever schedule you decide, or pay $25. Get it at the Malwarebytes website and run it now.

We use AVG at the Telegram and so far it's been great. I've been using Avast for the past 3 years and it's stopped a number of viruses/spyware in email attachments, etc. It's free also after you give your email address. They send you a code that's good for 14 months. Keep reregistering for free after that.

Moving to a Mac may solve the virus issues, but you'll spend twice as much for a mac vs pc, especially if you're looking at laptops. Plus, you'll need to purchase Mac versions of the software you normally use (MS Office, etc). Your files may or may not transfer smoothly. Depends on what they are. There are Windows specific file formats and some Windows programs don't have Mac equivalents.

If you've gotten a virus 3 times in the past few months I'd ask if someone else is using your computer. It sounds like you take precautions, don't visit "bad" websites, don't open emails from unknown senders. Someone else may not do the same. Got any kids or grandkids using your computer?

Update AVG (or move to Avast), get the latest virus definitions, install Malwarebytes or Spyware Doctor and update their definitions files, then unplug from the internet. Run a full scan of your hard drive with each (no other programs running) and allow them to fix any issues. Reboot and then plug back into your internet connection.

That should do it. If not, let me know.

-=[ Karl ]=-

[ksdoglady]

Malwarebytes is installed on my computer.  The PC guys I took it too installed it.  I didn't realize that you had to initiate a scan with it.  I took it back in yesterday and they moved me to the front of the line and scanned it yesterday afternoon.  Said they found a few viruses, but not as much as last time.  When I went to pick it up at six I asked them to check my Windows Firewall and it is turned on, but when he tried to do something else the computer wouldn't cooperate and he discovered that just sitting there the computer had another virus already!  or one they didn't find the first time it was scanned, so was going to scan it again overnight.  It looked to me that they were using that AntiMalware program, so maybe in the future I can figure out how to do that myself.

No, no kids or grandkids, and since I got back online on Sunday night there hasn't even been anyone else in the house!  Someone suggested that a neighbor might be using it somehow, but I don't have any close neighbors and they are professional/or old retired people like me so I don't see how that could be. 

[Karl Peschel]

When I went to pick it up at six I asked them to check my Windows Firewall and it is turned on, but when he tried to do something else the computer wouldn't cooperate and he discovered that just sitting there the computer had another virus already!  or one they didn't find the first time it was scanned, so was going to scan it again overnight.

Sounds like they are not completely removing all the infections. Running multiple antivirus and Antimalware apps may be the only solution. One will (potentially) catch the infections the other programs don't.

I have long relied on TechSupportAlert.com for info on the best tools. Visit their Security section to find links to great antivirus and antimalware apps.

And get those PC tech guys to do their job right the first time.

-=[ Karl ]=-

[ksdoglady]

I didn't make it back yesterday to check on my computer. I went in about 9:30 this morning and they were still scanning it and finding stuff.  They told me that they may have to back up everything and reload the OS.....Arrggghhh!   Someone has my number....