PC virus

Peter10d

Peter10d

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I suspect my daughters pc may have picked up some nasty virus.
Recently an icon appeared, that was badGe shapped, yellow background with two diagonal lines through (is this genuine?), which kept poping messages of windows alert, you have been infected (appeared to be spyware/malware). The icon was called ' Security Suite' and for a time the only web page that could be opened was their software centre. Most other pc applications would not open, however I managed to get AVG scanning and nothing was found. Anything that is internet based will not work. Question: is this a genuine virus, or could it be some spyware site that is trying to force a sale of their products?
Everytimr I reboot pc, it is now slower.
Pc is Vista, and to my knowledge all previous firewalls, windows updates and avg virus scans set to work automatically.
 
sounds like the old spoof anti-virus software trick..

get shot of AVG its about as much use as a choccy fireguard i found. avast or ms security essentials and spybot and do full scans and see how it goes
 
if you can restart to an earlier date do that, if not avira and as mentioned spybot, run these in safe mode preferably
 
A quick Google of 'Security Suite virus' says it is a virus and there are a number of sites giving guidance on how/tools to remove it.

I won't recommend any as I'm not an expert and wouldn't want to give bad advice.
 
Malwarebytes (free) gets rid of that one....

Try right-clicking the taskbar > Task Manager > Processes tab, and see if you can locate it in there first... probably called something daft like sguard.exe, pcguard.exe, ss.exe, or similar, and probably also using a bundle of memory... just highlight and 'End Process' on it to stop it running.
 
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2 posts deleted. No more stupid posts from Mac fan boys please :nono:
 
My Mrs had this on her laptop last week, do a search on youtube and watch the vid on how to clear it.
I'm no expert, it took me 10mins to sort out:thumbs:
 
DekHog said:
Malwarebytes (free) gets rid of that one....

Try right-clicking the taskbar > Task Manager > Processes tab, and see if you can locate it in there first... probably called something daft like sguard.exe, pcguard.exe, ss.exe, or similar, and probably also using a bundle of memory... just highlight and 'End Process' on it to stop it running.
Click to expand...


Well star with this, though I suspect it will have a more bland process name.
There some notes on the google on how to remove this, the trouble is picking the right one.
So check sites that are forum based as these are more likely to be people like your self.
I would recommend safe mode and MSCONFIG if you know how to use this service ! ?
Once you have stopped the programme from running then Anti Virus ( AV ) soft wares can detect it.
If the virus sits in the memory then it is difficult to detect by AV.

Any problems let me know
 
Tysonator said:
Well star with this, though I suspect it will have a more bland process name.
There some notes on the google on how to remove this, the trouble is picking the right one.
So check sites that are forum based as these are more likely to be people like your self.
I would recommend safe mode and MSCONFIG if you know how to use this service ! ?
Once you have stopped the programme from running then Anti Virus ( AV ) soft wares can detect it.
If the virus sits in the memory then it is difficult to detect by AV.

Any problems let me know
Click to expand...
I tried the task manager and it only opens for a split second then closes, however I could see the security suite was running.
I can't access the interent on her pc by any means to download any malware programs.
Could you please give me any advice on how to use the MSCONFIG way?
 
Doubt it'll be in MSCONFIG.... the smart ones never are.... but if you want to have a look just type 'msconfig' into the run menu, or the 'search programs and files' box in Vista/7, and press enter. Click the 'Startup' tab and just deselect everything and restart... if it's still there, you'll know it's not in the msconfig, so you can just enable everything again...

Have you tried safe mode? You could download malwarebytes on another PC and transfer it over and install in safe mode? You might have to use safe mode to get to msconfig anyway.... just keep pressing F8 on booting up and the menu will appear....
 
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hi
as some of the other posts have said malwarebytes will get rid of this you do need to do it in safe mode there is another programe (remove fake anti virus)again a free download when you have got rid of the virus i'd recomend microsoft fire wall and microsoft security essentials both free both very effective hope this helps
 
Thanks guys for all the advice, as I now appear to have my daughter's pc working again, after starting in safe mode and downloading malwarebytes.

Question: I thought that having a router(netgear with firewall), avg virus scan, and windows updates set to automatic, I had enough protection - obviously not! Therefore is malwarebytes free version enough extra protection or should I be looking for any additional programs?

Also my daughter's pc still appears slightly slower than mine, but she does have a lot of teenage rubbish programs installed on it. Could there be anything else left requiring removed after the security suite virus?
 
Do yourself a favour go to AriaPC and get Norton Internet Security 2010 @£14.09. I have had loads of people with Avast, AVG and have brought their machines to me with problems and when I have checked their machines and tell them they have a virus, I get "thats impossible I've got virus protection" and my answer is NO you haven't, because if you had protection you wouldn't have a virus on your machine. Norton has found virus's that AVG and Avast say does not exist, and I am not the only one who has had virus infested PC's brought to them because they cant be bothered to spend a little bit of cash.
 
AFC said:
Do yourself a favour go to AriaPC and get Norton Internet Security 2010 @£14.09. I have had loads of people with Avast, AVG and have brought their machines to me with problems and when I have checked their machines and tell them they have a virus, I get "thats impossible I've got virus protection" and my answer is NO you haven't, because if you had protection you wouldn't have a virus on your machine. Norton has found virus's that AVG and Avast say does not exist, and I am not the only one who has had virus infested PC's brought to them because they cant be bothered to spend a little bit of cash.
Click to expand...

I have had Norton in the past and McAfee, and I can't remember which one, but one of them had some sort of issue with a date appearing in the program that caused some type of issue, although can't remember exact details. Think it was something to do with the registry key? It was then that others directed me to avg.
I don't have an issue paying these types of fees, if I can get the best protection.
 
Yeah I understand Peter, but I get so frustrated, I know its me....LOL.
But I have been using Norton for years and I also order my copies from Aria......http://www.aria.co.uk/ and I usually end up ordering around 6 copies for other people as well. One of my friends had an email from Norton saying they wanted £39.99 to renew her copy of N.I Security and when I told her I can get her a copy for around £14 she didn't believe me and when I produced a copy and showed her the receipt she told me that in future I was to order her one when I get mine.
 
If it's that slow it's probably got loads of junk running in the background, right click on the tool bar and click on task manager then cick on show all processes from all users to see whats running and to turn off unwanted stuff.
If it's that full of crap you might want to consider saving what you want to an external hard drive and taking it back to a clear set up using recovery disc etc.
 
You could also use 'msconfig' and click on the 'startup' tab, and uncheck all the programmes you don't need at start-up (be careful to leave the required programmes), a lot of junk and unwanted programmes are deposited here, running in the background, taking up needed resources, and slowing things down.
 
Malware Bytes definately gets rid of it. I've used it to clean several of my clients PC's that had the Security Virus on. AVG doesn't find it, but if you use the two, AVG and Malware Bytes you won't have a problem. Mac owners don't think that Macs don't get viruses. It's a misconception, they do.
 
The problem with things like Norton, AVG, etc, is that they try to be a jack of all trades.... firewall, antivirus, spam filter, etc - maybe you should consider registering Malwarebytes for the pro version and it will then give you real-time protection, rather than having to run it manually? 99.9% of malware/virus problems come off the Internet these days anyway, and MB is undoubtedly brilliant at this side of things.....
 
a few viruses get round your security as they disguise themselves, say for example you click *close* on a pop up box/advert, what you actually do is give the virus permission to set itself up on your pc, if in doubt about a pop up etc, unplug your broadband cable from the pc, then click close on suspicious pop ups, run scans in safe mode and reboot :)
 
I got rid of AVG, Nortons, malwarebytes, lavasoft, avira etc and just run Microsoft Security Essentials.
Not normally a Microsoft fan, I use OpenOffice for example, but MSE certainly works and is light on resources.
 
Novatech do an OEM Kaspersky IE10 for £15.99 inclusive of VAT. Very good level of protection and not as resource hungry as Norton or McAfee.
 
I use Bitdefender which is £20 for 3 computers. Got no issues with it seems to work great and doesnt slow system down.
 
Bitdefender is very good and a bargain price to boot.... strangely, my £15 3-PC licence has actually done the whole extended family! :D :exit:
 
Question: I thought that having a router(netgear with firewall), avg virus scan, and windows updates set to automatic, I had enough protection - obviously not! Therefore is malwarebytes free version enough extra protection or should I be looking for any additional programs?
Click to expand...

Just put my 2 pence worth in...

The router and its firewall will protect your PC from intrusion attaches by others out there in the internet. It kind of locks your windows and doors if you like.

Anti-virus software will scan programs that you install/download on your computer (if running in real time mode) to ensure that you do not install any software that contains a virus on your computer. If you like a bit like someone checking the post that comes through your front door, or any boxes ets you bring home with you to ensure they are safe.

Windows update is essesntial and must be turned on. It makes sure your computer has the latest updates from Microsoft, plus any security fixes that microsoft have done to keep your computer safe.

Malware can come from infected web pages that you visit, you see a popup window appear saying "you have a virus, click here to scan your computer", the act of clicking on the link can infect your computer with malware/spyware.

malware/spyware is not generally picked up by antivrus software, hense why malwarebytes is a great tool and works very well.

So I hope this little explaination help to answer your question.

Cheers
 
the way to test how badly the infection is is to try and start the computer in safemode , if it wont then you may have to reinstall windows, this is the last resort. also check the if you can restore to an earlier date.
thes virus is a pain to get rid of

Hope this works

where are you in scotland, me and the wife will be up there 18th to the 25th sept .

Cheers Steve
 
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Suvv said:
I got rid of AVG, Nortons, malwarebytes, lavasoft, avira etc and just run Microsoft Security Essentials.
Not normally a Microsoft fan, I use OpenOffice for example, but MSE certainly works and is light on resources.
Click to expand...

:plusone: mse works a treat
 
I don't see anything wrong with AVG, had it for years without any issues. I think its "horses for courses", everyone has their favourite. As long as you as a user are careful and scan what you download for example, or ensure you only download software for well known sites etc you are halfway there.

I've read reviews where Norton did not do well compared to the likes of AVG, and Kaspersky.

However saying that no antivirus gives 100% protection. Have a read of this article, PC Pro - AVG 9.0 AVG as you see is a perfectly good piece of anti-virus software.

The main thing is to ensure you get whatever anti-virus you have to fully scan your computer regularly.
 
Is the free version of Malwarebytes good enough for "most" people?

Pete
 
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Nortons is a pile of poo. Avast is a good AV and Malwarebytes is a great program if you can run it with said virus on.

Last resort may have to be a format of the PC!
 
Airscene said:
Novatech do an OEM Kaspersky IE10 for £15.99 inclusive of VAT. Very good level of protection and not as resource hungry as Norton or McAfee.
Click to expand...

If you bank with Barclays you can get Kaspersky for free.
 
I've never had any problems with AVG, and I've seen many viruses infect PC's running Norton. No antivirus can ever guarantee 100% protection.

The type of virus you have can be a bit tricky to remove.
Try booting into safe mode (F8) and running Malware bytes.
On some machines a format and reinstall of Windows might be the best option.

Once you think you have removed the virus try running "netstat -a" in a cmd window to see if the virus is still trying to call home.
 
Pete Gl said:
Is the free version of Malwarebytes good enough for "most" people?

Pete
Click to expand...

If you don't download programs, or take a lot of files from other people through USB, CD's etc, then it probably is, as long as you run it regularly, or pay for the Pro version to give real-time protection - most nuisance stuff comes from the Internet/Websites/Emails these days anyway, and this is what it's best at - you could run one of the free AV programs like AVG or Avira alongside it to deal with file viruses....
 
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