URGENT COMP HELP PLEASE!

Type in whatever is popping up into google and you'll get a solution. I have had one of these before where a fake security alert popped up and told me to download their software, just googled their software with the word 'virus' added and there were pages of results telling you how to clear it.

Whilst RttF's advice is top notch, it can often lead a user into reading pages of info on how to remove the virus which they simply don't understand.

My advice to a user with very limited technical skills would be to try the 'System Restore' route first.
This doesn't clear all problems but it clears a high enough percentage ( especially with the symptoms described in this case ) and is a relatively simple enough procedure for a non technically minded person to be able to understand and implement.


A system restore takes the computer back to a the state it was in at a previous point in time. The idea is that you revert the PC to a time when the problem was not occuring.


1) Shut the computer down and restart it in 'SAFE MODE'
To start in Safe Mode, tap the F8 key whilst the computer is starting up.
If this is done to early on some PC's it can give a message keyboard error, or put you into the BIOS set up, just try restarting again but don't tap the F8 key until 5 or 10 seconds later.

2) Once in SAFE MODE, selcect 'Start Menu->Accessories->System Tools->System Restore' from the start menu.

This will start the System Restore program.
IMPORTANT: On some versions of windows, this program takes so long for the user interface to appear ( 30 - 60 seconds ) that
it leaves the user with the impression that the program has not
started at all. BE PATIENT, wait a minute or so until the program pops up.


when the System Restore does eventually decide to let the user know its alive, It will pop up with a 'reccomended restore:' and a date. Do not use this option

3) Select the 'Choose a different restore point' option and click 'Next'.

4) A list of available restore points pops up, select one with a date of at least a week or two before your problem appeared.

5) Click Next and take it from there.

6) this whole process will take between 5 and 30 nminutes, do not fiddle with the PC or keyboard whilst this is in motion.

7) at the end of the restore the PC will probably restart in SAFE MODE, leave it for a further 5 minutes after you think it has restarted then shut down and restart the PC in Normal Mode


Hopefully this will then cure the problem. However it may leave the infected files on your PC, So following Rttf's advice at this point is a prudent step.


Hope this helps.
Good luck with it.

Thank you very much for your help, but it has suddenly disappeared!!! I did try Googling and everything was so complex that i gave up, especially as i was getting in a state of panic as gambling time approached!  I did try to restore as well but it would not let me do it.  I did not try the way your suggested however Escapee, and i shall file tnhat away for another time should it happen again.  Very strange tho how it has gone away tho without so much as a farewell!

Thanks again...much appreciated.

There are two chances that this virus has gone away of its own accord, and I can tell you that slim is out of town right now.

There are some variants of this virus that come with a package of additional trojans and keyloggers.

Despite its apparent non existance, my advice would be to still undergo the system restore as per my description in my previous post.

Its a hassle I know, but it can be alot less hassle than some of the possible consequences of not doing it.


Feel free to ignore my advice, it might have gone away of its own accord.

Good luck.

I would back Escapee's comments 100%.

You are better safe than sorry.

it wont just have dissapeared and it will probably have disabled the restore function,  most of the nasty ones  do

i had trojans and  a key logger on my PC last year and only way i could get rid of it was using kapersky  antivirus you get a free 30 day trial with it

http://www.kaspersky.co.uk/trials


free trial button is on the left

I have just done a Malwarebytes scan and it found one Rogue Security tool. MWB has successfully cleared it out.  I will however do a restore tomorrow to be on the safe side. It is now 1.30am where i live so i am not up to doing it now!  Thanks yet again.  Your replies have given me faith in this Forum after all.

Beware using System Restore as many malware writers put the bug into that as well. Every time you use it you install another copy.

The simple way is to backup an image (Acronis etc) of a drive when it is clean. If attacked then reload image and you are clean again.