Desktop has a Virus, what do I do?

[sfbloodbrother]

Okay, I am not completely sure if it's a virus, but it all started when I was using internet explorer, because I use that to upload videos to youtube so I don't have to sign out of my Google account on Chrome and into another account every time.

So while it was uploading, I visited some other sites, I went to Alienware.com or something, you know for those very expensive Dell gaming computers, then I don't know, pop ups started happening, and then


well as I was typing that on the desktop that had a virus it crashed and said that I needed to install drop out again. So I moved my phone and recklessly from saved everything that I was typing before.

I don't know what happened. So I don't know what to do. Should I install some security setting to wipe out viruses. I've never had a virus on my computer, because I've never went to websites or anything or even downloaded anything that was potentially malicious. So what can I possibly do to make my computer work again.

What I am always done in the past was I completely deleted the operating system and went to Lenox. But this is Windows 8 and I don't want to do that. Because I like playing Skyrim and stuff on my computer.

 

[jefboyardee]

I'd try Malwarebytes first.

 

[kate]

Windows 8 has a built in anti-virus, Windows Defender, but after installing and running Malwarebytes as jefboyardee recommended I'd install and run a free anti-virus program. Avast and AVG are two, not sure which is better.

 

[palmtree5]

Just as an FYI, you can be signed into multiple Google accounts simultaneously...

EDIT: There is also the option of using a Linux live CD and mounting your drives and scanning using ClamAV

 

[sfbloodbrother]

I have used kaspersky in the past and I will never use it again. They completely screwed up my computer last time.

I don't like switching between Google accounts, just a pet peeve of mine.

 

[sfbloodbrother]

Windows 8 has a built in anti-virus, Windows Defender, but after installing and running Malwarebytes as jefboyardee recommended I'd install and run a free anti-virus program. Avast and AVG are two, not sure which is better.

Yes, but Windows defender really sucks and doesn't provide any protection at all. I am now considering getting Norton security, and bitting the bullet and paying for that. I don't want to go for one of those free ones that provide half protection. This is my computer. I play games on here, and do a lot on here. I'm not to the point where android can replace everything I want to do, and android is not at that point where it can replace everything that I need to do. But until that point comes, I will have to use Windows.

 

[sfbloodbrother]

Okay, I just tried to install 2 different anti viruses, but every time I get to the download free trial thing, I get an enormous amount of pop ups telling me to update media players, update Java, flash blah blah blah. I know that none of them need any updating but they keep coming preventing me from installing anything. Is there a way that I can use another computer and install it to a thumb drive and install it like that? There's just no way that this computer will let me do that.

 

[Crashdamage]

Try AVG Free. Effective, virtually no nag screens, etc. Used it for years on workstations and servers. Norton is absolutely horrible.

 

[sfbloodbrother]

Try AVG Free. Effective, virtually no nag screens, etc. Used it for years on workstations and servers. Norton is absolutely horrible.

Is it really? It kinda cleaned up my sister's computer. I just don't want to be installing all this crap on the computer.

 

[jefboyardee]

For what it's worth, I use the free version of Panda Internet Security. It gives me no trouble.

 

[sfbloodbrother]

Okay, I have installed AVG and I hope it has done something for me. But after the scan and they said the removed everything bad or malicious on the computer I am still left with ads. I have a few screen shots.

My next step is to back up my Skyrim game, and completely re-install windows by deleting everything on the computer. Would that be a solution?

 

[mikedt]

Okay, I have installed AVG and I hope it has done something for me. But after the scan and they said the removed everything bad or malicious on the computer I am still left with ads. I have a few screen shots.

My next step is to back up my Skyrim game, and completely re-install windows by deleting everything on the computer. Would that be a solution?

I was thinking that, you might have to format and re-install the OS and your software. My father's Windows PC often got infected and that's what I'd do with it. In fact had a ghost image ready. But now I'm no longer there to clean and fix it, Geek Squad can be expensive and not satisfactory, so he uses a Samsung Galaxy Tab for all his on-line needs, and maybe a Chromebook for Christmas.

A virus or malware on a compromised/pwned system can try to prevent you from installing AV software. Have you tried something like Malware Bytes or C-Cleaner in safe mode?

 

[Davdi]

UK magazine 'Computer Active' has an Anti-Virus test, and found Avast 2015 free edition was the best free A/V software.
"In our latest tests, Avast blocked more treats than paid-for programs Trend Micro, McAfee and Bitdefender, and wiped the floor with the other free programs, AVG and Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE)." (Computer Active 26 Nov-9 Dec 2014- Dennis Publishing) Later in the article they say:
"AVG and MSE are worse than useless. If you have either of these products enabled and you try installing a better program such as Avast, they will conflict with each other and effectively leave you with no protection at all. Get rid of them and install an antivirus that works."