Computer virus or something else?

[HauntedMansionGeek]

A friend of mine is having some trouble with his computer.

When he goes online, he gets error messages and the computer shuts down. If he manages to stay connected, he's unable to open any windows.

He was able to get into Yahoo chat but that was a bit wiggy for him too.

He said they've checked for viruses and all that but it sure sounds like he's still got one.
I've tried googling to see if I can at least get an idea of what it might be, but haven't found much about viruses that shut your 'puter down...maybe I'm not googling correctly. LOL

Anyone have any ideas or informational websites they can share?

 

[Rutt and Tuke]

There's a virus that pops up and says "NT authority is shutting down your computer". Does he get a message like that? If he does, then you might try googling under "NT authority".

Hope this helps.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Nice moose!

Thanks for the info.

 

[Pooh67_68]

Husband says that yes it is a virus. Your friend might want to take it to a computer store that has experience with viruses.
He had to take a friends computer somewhere to get the same virus out. Good luck

 

[adamak]

Definitely a virus. Go to Microsoft sites & get all the critical download. Just the antivirus definition files may not be enough. You should have the windows updates.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Wow, thankyou...I hadn't realized that could be part of his problem. He deals with this all the time and maybe he just needs what? Would those be patches or is it listed as "critical downloads"??


Yeah, I know, that might have been a real stupid question just now. LOL Oh well!

 

[KathyTX]

To be protected, your friend (and any computer user who connects to a network or the internet) must:

1) Have a current and completely up-to-date virus scanning software. McAfee and Norton are two very widely available programs for this. Once you purchase and install the software, you MUST keep it updated with the features that will check with the software companies for current virus signature files. New viruses are released all the time, and the virus companies release updated signature files *weekly*. If you're scanning with October's signature files, your software won't be able to detect and clean virus that weren't discovered until November...

Set your software to scan incoming and outgoing files automatically, as well as scheduling complete scans of your entire PC regularly (I do mine nightly.)

2) If you are using any version of Microsoft Windows, you must keep your operating system updated with any applicable "critical updates." Microsoft is now releasing these monthly. I recommend applying both the "critical updates" and any other recommended patches.

These two steps- virus scanning and operating system updates- are the bare minimum to protect yourself and computer these days. Pop-up blockers and spyware scanners are also very valuable tools to keep the junk that will slow your system down at bay.

Good luck!