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Yesterday after going to several sites I often visit, (no porn or other trash) I found I could not exit Windows and sign off normally.
All seemed to be OK while I was on line, but when I tried to shut my computer off I kept getting warnings in frames that looked very much like they were from Microsoft.. had the setup just like Microsoft, but they kept warning me I had several hundred corrupted files and needed to download from “Microsoft” an “exe" file that would cure the problems. I was suspicious, and I never download any "exe" files unless I have initiated the opportunity myself. The warnings said I had between 100 and 150 corrupted files, including some on my D drive. My D drive is supposed to be for backup files, but I have never set it up, so I couldn't see how corrupted files were there.

I tried several times to shut down but the insistant warnings kept reappearing and stopped me frrom leaving Windows. I finally shut my computer down via the "control - alt - delete" route.

After this happened I rebooted my computer and ran Norton 360 antivirus, and it found only 1 simple low level tracking cookie, which it removed. I then ran a full file scan with PCTools Spyware Doctor, which found nothing. My computer works fine, so I think I was dealing with some kind of virus or hacker.

I only report this here now because I just heard from someone else from another part of the US who had the same problem, as did his wife on another computer.

Be careful if you have the same experience.. It looks as if this is somehow making the rounds.

There is a new one called a worm I heard about.

Frank, and others too,

Every day the net gets new hackers, virus writers, and malicious security challenges. It's no longer just the snot nosed wizz kids looking for kicks. It involves highly sophisticated E-criminals and even countries and regimes that are hacking and infecting computers. All the way from your home PC, (and yes, even Mac/Apple can vulnerable), to business, governmental, defense, and Wall Street machines are be attacked at a nearly constant level.

The two "Biggie Virus Software Companies"; McAfee & Symantec/Norton, long both have been pieces of crap and do less to protect your computer and more to eat up CPU space and bog things down. They're both a waste of money and effort in my opinion.

I've been using Kaspersky Security Software for several years now and haven't had a single issue since the original installation. Hands down, Kaspersky is the best. It works within it's own environment, doesn't get in your face, functions seamlessly behind the lines and needs no other add on software, such as pop-up blockers or ad-ware killers. As a matter of fact, most of those additional programs just get in Kaspersky's way...

....Take the Kaspersky Free Virus Scan

Also check the comparrison graphs on the Free Scan page to see how Kaspersky knocks the socks off of the rest.

Br,

Patrick

I do not have any norton or other crap on mine either. I only use Superanti-spyware and Adaware. They are free downloads and have worked great for me. Run them a couple time per month and gets rid of all the bad stuff. i have not ried the one Pat is using but I just might get it.

Kevin,

You're running on luck... Superanti-spyware, Adaware and similar software do absolutely nothing to protect you from viruses. Most viruses are spread through email and these routines only operate through you browser. Ya' need a better rubber.

Br,

Patrick

Kevin- Kapersky is a good AV. In my opinion the best AV out there is AVG. It is also free. Just google AVG free and download/install. Excellent program.

You have good stuff for spyware, I would also recommend SpybotSD (Search and Destrtoy) and Malwarebytes anti malware, both also free.

I liked AVG, but it played havoc with my CAM program. My Computer guy reccomended VIPRE as an alternative. Like AVG it does not bog down the computer.

What I don't like is it seems to let the files in before it quarantines them and I have recieved several False Positives.

Kaspersky's, I'll look into that program soon as my subscriptions run out or I find issues.


IRGuy, I had that happen awhile ago. Like you I decided to shut the computer down, download antivirus updates and clean clean clean. Found nothing but it makes you wonder if your doing the right thing as the warnings pop up and direct you to follow thier instructions.

I just finished a trial with Kaspersky and while ive heard it was great i wasnt to impressed. It seemed to really slow down my computer and i had allot of false alarms. Im used to the normal allowing or denying certain programs access but even after allowing some still wouldnt work right. Checking e-mail was no longer a quick task either.

I am behind a hardware firewall but im sure thats old news in the hacker community. AVG and spybot worked ok for me but i didnt ever really have any poroblems so it made me wonder if i was just clean or was missing something. I had mine setup to automatically scan and update everyday. Until i can find something better that doesnt get in the way ill probably keep the AVG and Spybot. With that said im always looking for something better.

I did not know that those programs did nothing for viruses.

Well I did download that trial version of AVG. I took about 20 minutes to do the scan and came up with nothing. This computer is only about 3 or 4 months old though. I should probably do the same procedure on the antique that we still use. Learning something new every day.

I ran for years with Norton and Mcafree, they slowed up my computer so much it wasn't funny. Never realized til my IT guy told me to dump them and try AVG, if I didn't like I could go back. Aside from finding resident evil on my computer the thing ran so much better.

Anyway, the virus programs come in handy if something does rear it's ugly face.