My computer is infected with viruses! What do I do?

[FortheLegion]

Yea My other laptop just got infected today idk what from but...
I'll be reinstalling the operating system later.I can't imagine what i could possibly do that
Then after that i get to replace all my files updates reinstall all my games and whatnot.

 

[laserwulf]

You could make a LiveCD of Ubuntu or another Linux distro (or find a techie friend with one), start up Linux on the infected system. If the Linux OS doesn't have a virus-scan program, you could always use a web-based virus-scanner.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Call McAfee. They will help.

 

[Wadders]

Wipe that ************, and re-install windows.

It worked for me, the PC runs like a dream again, even though its like 3-4 years old.

 

[Hateren47]

If you still have your data, try getting a few programs before you "format c: /q". I suggest

Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
Malwarebytes Antimalware http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
and Spybot: Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

Step 1. Download all 3 to your desktop and unplug your netcable/turn off wifi.

Step 2. Uninstall your antivirus, reboot and install MSE. Update and complete scan.

Step 3. Install Malwarebytes Antimalware. Update and complete scan.

Step 4. Install Spybot. Don't bother with tea-timer and the other program it wants to install. Update, immunise and complete scan.

Now reboot and do step 2 and 3 again to see if you are still infected.

All the programs are free. Make sure your old AV is uninstalled and you reboot before installing MSE.

I hope it works.

Edit:
This should let you install/uninstall stuff in safe mode. http://www.windowsitpro.com/article/tips/jsi-tip-9233-safemsi-exe-freeware-starts-windows-installer-in-safe-mode-.aspx I haven't used it before but it might help you uninstalling your AV and installing the new stuff.

Edit2:

EDIT: my shitty anti-virus isn't working and I can't uninstall/install or access any program whatsoever

Your file associations might be screwed up. try the 2 files on http://www.technibble.com/xp_fileassoc-bat-xp_exe_fix-reg-repair-tool-of-the-week/ . THESE ARE FOR WINDOWS XP!! USE ON YOUR OWN RISK!! Although it can't get any worse

 

[thahat]

Long story short my brother is dumb and now my desktop PC is in trouble. I'm not sure what's going on because I'm not all that tech savvy, but I can't open up anything, access the internet, and pop-ups are everywhere telling me my computer is infected with all sorts of things like trojans, worms, adware, malware, etc. Is my computer completely fucked or is there hope?

I'm on my laptop right now fyi.

EDIT: my shitty anti-virus isn't working and I can't uninstall/install or access any program whatsoever

EDIT: As it turns out my brother turned on the computer and before it reached the desktop something popped up about having to restore my computer's files and fix/remove all problems. He asked me what to do while I was playing call of duty, so I wasn't paying any attention to him at all, and I said yea sure whatever. So essentially some random program "scanned" my computer and then a few hours later I turn my computer on to see that Pandora's Box had been opened and nothing was functioning. That's all I have to say about that...

step 1: restart the computer, hold/tap f8 repetedly to get it to start up in safe mode with network capabilities ( eg. safe mode plus internet )

now it will only load the most basic stuff, and NOT your virus crap.

step 2: download AVG free and spybot search and destroy.

install, and run both.

this should fix most problems, or in the worst case scenario, tell you the virus name.
in case you know the name, google for the solution.

happy fixing!

 

[thahat]

ps. why in the world do all these escapists want to wipe their damn drives?

is everyone this non-tech savvy or what XD? just kill the virus, not your damn drives! XD

 

[2fish]

Stop look at porn.

thats right i said it.

You...you.... Amish Computer virus to to you!

Peronally I prefer the microave to fix problems that annoy me, but if there are programs that you need to save and you don't feel safe enough to work on it yourself, tell your keepers(parent thingys) and then offer them you brother for the cost of the repairs. Those above me have the right idea.


EDIT:

ps. why in the world do all these escapists want to wipe their damn drives?

is everyone this non-tech savvy or what XD? just kill the virus, not your damn drives! XD

We just like to mass murder 1s and 0s?

EDIT:XIII I really need to sleep

 

[Hateren47]

ps. why in the world do all these escapists want to wipe their damn drives?

is everyone this non-tech savvy or what XD? just kill the virus, not your damn drives! XD

I don't know. Removing viruses is a lot more fun than reinstalling all your stuff.

 

[gabe12301]

If you can back up your data than you can just delete everything.

 

[blankedboy]

Honestly, if you're that tech-illiterate, take it to a PC repair place (NOT PC fecking WORLD) and get them to take a look. You'll save a lot of heartache for a reasonable cost.

Yeah, this guy's right. I know alot more about computers than your average peanut, but I still get repairers in on the offchance that I do get a virus.

(it's happened once)

 

[Thedayrecker]

Drop it from a tall building or try what anybody before me said.

 

[WorkerMurphey]

I had what sounds to me a similar virus problem this past week. I took it to a shop, 50 bucks and all is well. I'm computer competent but I was locked out of my taskbar and pretty much everything else. Maybe I could have done it for free but I got some piece of mind knowing it was done right.

 

[TheTim]

Stop looking at porn.

thats right i said it.

Dont, you might end up getting a virus.

Its called lackofpornocofoclous.
You get a constant boner and might rape the elderly.

Then porn it is!

 

[Jfswift]

Reinstalling would probably be your best option. And then hanging your little brother with a ethernet cable just to teach him a lesson.

I second that. Wipe the operating system and start over.

 

[thahat]

ps. why in the world do all these escapists want to wipe their damn drives?

is everyone this non-tech savvy or what XD? just kill the virus, not your damn drives! XD

I don't know. Removing viruses is a lot more fun than reinstalling all your stuff.

a lot less time consuming too, mostly their easy to remove XD most of the time, all you need is google, lol.