? about a pop up I keep getting

[Horseshoes]

ON occasion, I get a pop up from Microsoft that says I have some sort of error and I should install "winfixer".

Is this something legitimate or is it some sort of virus.

Thanks

 

[Serena]

Probably a scam.

 

[eclectics]

It's a spam pop up made to look like it's from Microsoft. Don't open it!

 

[Horseshoes]

It's a spam pop up made to look like it's from Microsoft. Don't open it!

Thank you, I keep clicking cancel and it opens up to the next step to install. I just keep clicking cancel or the X.

 

[Towncrier]

Here's what Symantec has to say about winfixer:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/winfixer.html

 

[eclectics]

Thank you, I keep clicking cancel and it opens up to the next step to install. I just keep clicking cancel or the X.

Try clicking folder and then closing it out. A good firewall will eliminate these annoyances.

 

[Aux2534]

I had this very same problem. I kept closing it and it would keep opening. Found out it was already installed in a hidden file I knew nothing about. I finally got rid of it by doing a virus scan in safe mode. If your not sure how to do that you shut off the computer and restart while hitting the F8 key. My virus program found it there and deleted it. It is downloaded with another program you downloaded so you won't know it is there. Hope this helps.

 

[Cindyluwho]

The problem with Winfixer is that it hides in your computer under different names, so it keeps coming back. Yesterday our tech guy spent 4 hours trying to find all it's hidden names in one of our office computers. It's finally out of there but what a pain! It took Lavasoft Adaware (free download), Spybot (free download) and microsoft Spyware remover. Sheesh!!

 

[oogieboogie]

Winfixer is one of the worst mal-ware out there right now. It's just absolutely annoying to get rid off. It took Ewido security http://www.filehippo.com/download_ewido/ and a slew of other cleaners before I finally totally got rid of winfixer.

Good luck.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My DS unleashed winfixer and spyaxe last week. I had 3 spy programs working for me in addition to McAfee. I actuallly surrendered and took it to a computer shop for the day. He was able to remove winfixer and all the "ghosts" it created. He said Spyaxe was in mine on 3 occasions and was difficult to get rid of. I think ewido worked in 2 instances. They come back and change to different names or something. He said there are some spyware that can get past everything, all it took was my DS not clicking out of something. Computer guy said he actually unleashed winfixer on his own computer in a moment of stupidity!

He removed McAfee and put Panda Platinum on my computer. He put SIX spyware/adware programs on here, in a folder. Plus he put Mozilla Firefox on here as my browser. I really like it! Seems like I have a new computer now. Had never had to get help before, but glad I did. I had a corrupted window too.

Good luck!

 

[SplshMtn99]

I've had it too for about a week. Its VERY annoying. DH tried everything to get rid of it before he had to catch a flight. Last night I couldn't stand it anymore, & found these directions on how to get rid of it. IT WORKED!!!

http://www.bullguard.com/forum/10/I-hate-WINFIXER_19004.html

Only thing I had to do different was: Since my firewall hadn't let it install all the way, I DID have to let winfixer install. Then followed the directions in post #2 & #3....and it was gone. Very simple.

Good luck!!!

I would LOVE to know where I got it from however.

Oh, and for anyone who things you can do a system restore....you can't. It doesn't give you any prior dates to restore too.

ETA: When DH gets back, he's still planning on looking at machine to make sure it's all gone. Time for a clean up in it anyway.

 

[beattyfamily]

To close it safely...right click on it BUT on the bottom tool bar, not on the pop up itself and then pick CLOSE.

That's the safest way to close any pop ups.

 

[SplshMtn99]

These are not just pop-ups. They are persistant pop-ups from "you know where". It's repeated constant tries to get thru firewall. Then pop-ups to install or run Winfixer....or no matter how you click out of it, it takes you to their website. There is not getting away from it. You can't even use computer, because you are forced to keep closing things.

 

[Horseshoes]

WOW--I didnt realize it was that much of a problem.

My Mcaffe catches it as a PUP, so next time that happens I will block it.

So far it doesnt appear to have done anything to my computer