Laptop Virus Ridden.

rediguana

Hi everyone. I read the stickies, but nothing jumped out at me.

My two-year old laptop (HP Celeron) has slowed to almost a standstill. I keep getting pop-ups, some of which I can't get rid of. Internet Explorer keeps closing down. Sometimes I'm redirected to a site I didn't want to go to. Etc etc.

I'm no computer whizz but I'm assuming it's all viruses causing the problems. I think my protective software might've expired.

What's the best way to remedy the problem? Can anyone on Boards do it for me (obviously for a fee) and install some anti-virus software? Or should I just go to a professional? Any recommendations? I live on the N11 not far from Stillorgan.

Cheers.

Trampas

AVG Free. Google it

Download it and run it over your machine.

TerrorFirmer

Also spybot, google that too. It's probably spyware more so then viruses that are causing the slowdown and they are definately what's causing the pop-ups and redirections.

Install and run both AVG and Spybot, that should clear everything up.

netwhizkid

See Aidan Walshe's Signature. It has the links to what you need to sort out the mess. I recommend AVG, Spybot and Adaware download them and update their definitions bank and run the scans and they will quickly clear out whatever nasties is affecting your laptop.

Also I see you are using Internet Explorer, Did you it is one of the worst tech products of all time? It is no wonder your PC is infected using IE, I'd recommend you use Firefox Instead. But there is a multitude of other browsers available, Firefox is the most popular Browser alternative to Internet Explorer but whichever you choose anything is better than IE.

rediguana

Thanks everyone. Very helpful advice. Grazie! I got a few PM's too.

thebman

Avast is another good free anti-virus download. I found it nicer to use than AVG but thats just me.

On top of Spybot and Adaware, you (at least used to be able to) get windows defender from Ms which also helps block spyware but it should be used with Spybot.

Some of them detect things the others won't although I had a beta of Windows Defender and it never detected a bloody thing in 6 months! Spybot is probably the best if you activate teatimer so you can track registry changes (unexpected registry changes are bad). You can also try defragmenting your HDD after you've run all these tools if you've had your machine a while. Its built into windows system tools section.

killbillvol2

Personal opinion, but one based on experience, Kaspersky Antivirus will clean your system better than any other. Run the online scan and then take the 30 day trial. www.kaspersky.com

I like AVG but it won't clean everything.