My computer has been working fine up until a couple of days ago. While i was browsing the internet my computer was infectected by some sort of virus. One of the main things that popped up was a “spyware” program called antivirus system pro. I removed it by logging in in safe mode and downloading a program called Malwarebytes Anti-malware and ran it. I thought this solved the problem but now when i do a google search it looks like only ads pop up in the results. All the websites appear to be random search sites that just incorporate my search into the heading. (Sites like mycoupon.com and similarfind.com.) How can i fix this?
ps i have no tech knowledge or experience
You can find several other on-line anti-virus scanners, as well as anti-spyware/anti-trojan type products in the following list.
Tools with links – recommended by the community
Try several products and repeat each one until that specific product gives clean results. Sometimes, clearing one thing out of the way opens the path for the same product (or another one) to detect and remove another troublemaker that is lurking.
Be sure to use updated versions of your operating system, browser, anti-virus and other applications (especially Java, Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash, Quicktime, RealPlayer etc). Many are recommending that you disable javascript in Adobe Reader. Outdated, unpatched software applications leave your system vulnerable to various exploits.
Consider using a non-administrator account on your PC for daily work and only use the Administrator account when necessary.
Thanks for such a quick response. I looked at the list but do not know which to choose. Would the problems i am having be considered malware, spyware, or a virus. I truly mean 0 knowledge. When i pick one do i have to run it in safemode or did i just have to do that because the problem was so bad at the time? I also turned off system restore, is this a necessary step every time i run a scan? my computer works fine for my daily work or if i type in an address it opens the page.
I am currently running malwares full scan and my symantec endpoint has sent me over 30 notifications of dangerous programs. Symantec endpoint is obviously controlled by my network administrator for work. It flags stuff but won’t let me run a scan myself. Should this program fix my problems or is it just notifying admin that i have a problem on my computer?
I appreciate any info. I am sure i could call admin but i am trying to learn myself.
I think it’s wonderful that you are trying to learn to deal with these things yourself. Absorb what you can, but still consider involving your network administrator. They may have a preference for products to use, or they may be able to restore a prior image of your computer.
I am not familiar with Symantec Endpoint, so I can’t answer any questions related to that. Perhaps someone else will stop in who can.
I’m also not sure about when it is best to turn off system restore and when it isn’t. There again, maybe someone else can fill in the blanks.
Everyone has a different opinion about the circumstances under which you need to run these things in Safe Mode or not run them in Safe Mode. It’s kind of a “it depends on the circumstances” type thing and is a judgment call. You are in trial and error territory here.
I don’t think it is terribly important to be able to identify whether the problem is malware, spyware or virus. The boundaries are beginning to blur between the threats and the products that detect and remove them.
It is not unusual to be able to directly access the sites through the browser address bar or from favorites/bookmarks. The malware is often tied to the search results.
It is generally best to run anti-malware products in Safe Mode whenever you have reason to believe that an infection may be lurking. This is because malware is less likely to run in Safe Mode, so it’s less likely to be able to fight off the anti-malware detection.
As for system restore, each time it takes a snapshot of your system while your machine is infected, it risks storing the malware in the saved snapshot. And anti-malware products are unable to delete or clean files in saved snapshots. By disabling system restore, you delete all your saved snapshots, ensuring that any old copies of the malware are gone. Once your machine is working properly, you can re-enable system restore.
