Spyware Help Please, Mcafee Disabled, Dell Computer!

[sweetpeakaris]

My Laptop is only 3mos old and this morning Dell told me my Software Support expired last month.

Mcafee & Java Script is disabled on my computer, and I didn't disable them. Dell told me I have Spyware virus & it would be $239 for them to remove it with there special tool.

Is there anything else that I can do besides paying them $239 to fix it? Any free removal site that work? Computer seems to be working fine, except I can't check my banking or private messages on another forum, & computer doesn't redirect pages. Before I logged off last night, everything worked great.

Please Help!

 

[Linda in sunny SC]

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

Hope this helps.

 

[seashoreCM]

Generally you should not run or even touch on-line tools that just pop up and offer to remove viruses from your computer.

Instead you should take the computer to a service bureau (such as the Geek Squad) or use brand name CD's with virus removers that you bought.

The best way to get rid of virus remover screens that pop up is a bit complicated.

(for Windows XP)
Do a Control-Alt-Del.
In the window (Windows Task Manager) that comes up click on "applications"
Select the entry that matches the top bar or title bar of the pop up ad or virus remover
Click the End Task button.
Click the upper right corner to close the Windows Task Manager

Do not click on words inside email messages except to confirm that you just registered for a web site or forum.

 

[Bella213]

I was going to suggest the same thing as Linda in sunny SC did! A friend of mine always gets infected and this has always cleaned up any malicious items detected.

Good luck!

 

[bartleby1]

Definitely try malwarebytes (the link another poster suggested). It is free and has cured many mishaps on my machines in the past. I keep it on all of our computers.

Sometimes viruses block you from downloading new virus software, but it is worth a try before spending $$.

If you must pay a professional to fix it, I'd try to find someone other than dell. I love dell computers but their support stinks.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Definitely try malwarebytes (the link another poster suggested). It is free and has cured many mishaps on my machines in the past. I keep it on all of our computers.

Sometimes viruses block you from downloading new virus software, but it is worth a try before spending $$.

If you must pay a professional to fix it, I'd try to find someone other than dell. I love dell computers but their support stinks.

It's Java script that's disabled too, and I cant enable it, therefor I can't do some free scans.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

My Laptop is only 3mos old and this morning Dell told me my Software Support expired last month.

Mcafee & Java Script is disabled on my computer, and I didn't disable them. Dell told me I have Spyware virus & it would be $239 for them to remove it with there special tool.

Is there anything else that I can do besides paying them $239 to fix it? Any free removal site that work? Computer seems to be working fine, except I can't check my banking or private messages on another forum, & computer doesn't redirect pages. Before I logged off last night, everything worked great.

Please Help!

It's Java script that's disabled too, and I cant enable it, therefor I can't do some free scans.

You probably have the FakeAlert Trojan. I just had that on my work computer. It blocks anti-spyware software so you can't take it off with McAfee, Norton, or Malwarebytes (although Malwarebytes will at least show you the name of the virus - mine did). It took the IT guy a few hours to get rid of it but there are instructions online. Google it for step-by-step instruction - there are files that the bug creates that will have to be deleted.

 

[lizabu]

Go to add remove programs and remove/unistall Mcafee then go to the AVG website and install AVG and run it. It should remove any virus. If you can't install a new antivirus from the web you can buy one on a disk in any computer store and nstall it from disk. $239 is ridiculous to remove a virus.

 

[lizabu]

You probably have the FakeAlert Trojan. I just had that on my work computer. It blocks anti-spyware software so you can't take it off with McAfee, Norton, or Malwarebytes (although Malwarebytes will at least show you the name of the virus - mine did). It took the IT guy a few hours to get rid of it but there are instructions online. Google it for step-by-step instruction - there are files that the bug creates that will have to be deleted.

I had this one too and I did the same thing. I was able to follow the instructions and remove it from my registry myself. It wasn't that hard.

 

[bartleby1]

It's Java script that's disabled too, and I cant enable it, therefor I can't do some free scans.

I had a trojan a while back and although my virus software wouldn't run and free online scans wouldn't run, I did finally get malwarebytes to run. However, double clicking on the malwarebytes icon wouldn't work. The trick I found online was to right click and pull down to "open" to run it. It worked perfectly. Just something else to try?

Even if you can use it just to identify the problem and then google for help removing it. I've removed and fixed many computer problems over the years by googling error messages and virus names and I don't have a clue what I'm doing, LOL!

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Thanks running AVG scan now, Praying it works.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Oddly AVG & the Malware sites scans came up with nothing, no viruses. Now, I'm really lost!

 

[bartleby1]

Oddly AVG & the Malware sites scans came up with nothing, no viruses. Now, I'm really lost!

Hmmm... So, maybe this is a stupid question, but what happens when you try to enable javascript? Does it just not let you?

 

[Order66]

Run the windows restore. Set it back to a date the computer was fine.

My husband clicked one of those fake virus alerts and it opens a malicious program that won't let you run anything. Restore is the cure.

regards

 

[cm8]

Run the windows restore. Set it back to a date the computer was fine.

My husband clicked one of those fake virus alerts and it opens a malicious program that won't let you run anything. Restore is the cure.

regards

Just don't do the factory restore that will erase everything

 

[dawson5]

OP have you opened the task manager to see exactly what you have? My guess is that you are trying to remove spyware with anti-virus. If it is spyware and you look at the task manager to find out exactly what it is, you can google and come up with specific instructions on removal.

Personally, if it's something nasty, I would back up everything to disc and just reformat. Sometimes you can get rid of the problem, but it will leave all kinds of things in its wake that cause different problems.

 

[mrodgers]

You probably have the FakeAlert Trojan. I just had that on my work computer. It blocks anti-spyware software so you can't take it off with McAfee, Norton, or Malwarebytes (although Malwarebytes will at least show you the name of the virus - mine did). It took the IT guy a few hours to get rid of it but there are instructions online. Google it for step-by-step instruction - there are files that the bug creates that will have to be deleted.

Oddly AVG & the Malware sites scans came up with nothing, no viruses. Now, I'm really lost!

On these two points....

First off, yes the fake antivirus alerts can and often do disable software and the internet. You should always run something like Malwarebytes in safe mode. Rebooting in safemode only loads the absolute necessary processes, thus won't load the virus. You can boot in safemode with networking so that you can be sure to update Malwarebytes (or whatever else you are going to use.)

Second, I have often had this fake antivirus alert pop up as just that and that only, a pop up from whatever site happened to be infected that I visited. Nothing was installed on my computer, it was merely a browser window pop up, thus Malwarebytes or any other wouldn't detect it.

 

[crazelion]

On these two points....

First off, yes the fake antivirus alerts can and often do disable software and the internet. You should always run something like Malwarebytes in safe mode. Rebooting in safemode only loads the absolute necessary processes, thus won't load the virus. You can boot in safemode with networking so that you can be sure to update Malwarebytes (or whatever else you are going to use.)

Second, I have often had this fake antivirus alert pop up as just that and that only, a pop up from whatever site happened to be infected that I visited. Nothing was installed on my computer, it was merely a browser window pop up, thus Malwarebytes or any other wouldn't detect it.

What he said. Also you use a program call t rkill and hijackthis. Repeat I would not use those if don't know what doing.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Update:

So after trying everything with no luck, I ended up paying Dell $95 for a one time fix. I didn't have a virus, but somehow Javascript got disabled when Windows failed to update it properly.

My computer is working great, but I'm not happy that everything looks different, like my toolbar & color. The Rep claimed he reinstalled & updated internet exploxer & that fixed the issue, I could have done that!

 

[sam_gordon]

Generally you should not run or even touch on-line tools that just pop up and offer to remove viruses from your computer.

Agreed.

Instead you should take the computer to a service bureau (such as the Geek Squad) or use brand name CD's with virus removers that you bought.

Disagree. Especially with this being the budget board, MANY trojans, spywares, malwares, etc can be eliminated without spending anything but time. Malware bytes does very well well as does AVG, along with Avast! (all free). If I tried all those and still had problems (note: may have to run these in safe mode), I'd do a 'System Restore' a couple times (once going back a week and another going back a month).

The best way to get rid of virus remover screens that pop up is a bit complicated.

(for Windows XP)
Do a Control-Alt-Del.
In the window (Windows Task Manager) that comes up click on "applications"
Select the entry that matches the top bar or title bar of the pop up ad or virus remover
Click the End Task button.
Click the upper right corner to close the Windows Task Manager

Of course, this only temporarily solves the problem. The next time someone logs in (or the computer is booted), the offending process will be back.

Do not click on words inside email messages except to confirm that you just registered for a web site or forum.

While this is true in the extreme, there are other precautions you can take. If a friend sends you an email with a link, contact them before clicking on it to make sure they did send it.