I Need Some Computer Savvy Person To Assist Me!

[Chuckt]

I don't even know how to do any of that. I know nothing about anti virus software or how to install it. I just want my computer back!

Purchase a decent package to protect you from malware.

Pick one

Kaspersky Kaspersky Lab US | Antivirus & Internet Security Protection Software
AVG AVG | Virus and Malware Protection | Privacy Protection | PC TuneUp (A good free one)
ZoneAlarm Firewall Antivirus Software and Computer Security Suite by ZoneAlarm

I can't afford to pay for anything, so I choose the free ones. I have Avast which obviously isn't working, so I might try AVG and see if that works.
I wonder if I should uninstall Avast first...

There is a free version of Malwarebytes but it is reactive and not proactive.
The problem is that if it is virus related, you could be deleting the operating system so you really need someone more computer savvy to know what to look for and to do or else you will be reinstalling your operating system.

 

[Chuckt]

I don't even know how to do any of that. I know nothing about anti virus software or how to install it. I just want my computer back!

I think it is best to turn your computer off. You can start your computer from safe mode which means there is nothing bad in the computer's memory and you can use a disk to scan your computer for malware / viruses. When the computer is off, the malware or viruses can't run and continue to do damage to your machine.

I'd like to keep posting here, and how does one use safe mode to turn it on? I don't have any disks to scan with either!

Waiting to hear back from my sister. She's at work but she should be able to talk me through this, bit by bit. If not, she will be home in around 4 hours, so I will let her have a play around with it.
Its been infected for the last two weeks, so another few hours won't hurt. If I need to get a new computer, so be it. This one is around 2 years old anyway, lol.

You turn your computer off. Wait a few seconds and then turn it back on. I think you have to hold down one of the function keys. It is different for each computer depending on the operating system. You might have to google it because I don't know which operating system you are using. You probably won't have internet in safe mode.

 

[alan1]

I don't even know how to do any of that. I know nothing about anti virus software or how to install it. I just want my computer back!

Purchase a decent package to protect you from malware.

Pick one

Kaspersky Kaspersky Lab US | Antivirus & Internet Security Protection Software
AVG AVG | Virus and Malware Protection | Privacy Protection | PC TuneUp (A good free one)
ZoneAlarm Firewall Antivirus Software and Computer Security Suite by ZoneAlarm

I can't afford to pay for anything, so I choose the free ones. I have Avast which obviously isn't working, so I might try AVG and see if that works.
I wonder if I should uninstall Avast first...

Not being able to afford to protect your computer is a bit on the foolish side in my opinion. That's like saying I can't afford bank fees so I'll just leave my money on the porch and hope nobody steals it.

The free from AVG is pretty good for antivirus, but for firewall and malware protection you gotta pay them.

 

[Noomi]

I am trying to clear my cookies at the moment. I did not want to delete my login information but it did it for me anyway. I had to login to this site again, and my cookies are still 'clearing', at least, that is what it tells me. I have no idea how long it should take. Stupid fucking thing.

I am using Firefox, Chuck - does that help?

 

[Chuckt]

Firefox may have its own vulnerabilities. I don't believe there is a safe browser although some are better than others. Chrome might be pretty good but I just can't believe that anything is 100% safe even if they tell you because there is always someone wanting to break the security on it.

 

[Pogo]

I second Alan's citation of AVG - been using it for years, free.

And Noomi, when you get ahead of this, you don't need to pay for Microslush Office either. You can get the OpenOffice suite which does the same things. And it's free.

And before you download any of this be forewarned -- there are a lot of counterfeit sites posing as a page where you can download this or that but they're fake sites set up to lure you and send you a virus. To be safe I'd go to cnet.com, do a search for the program in question (which will also give you reviews about it) and use their download button. That way you know you're getting the legitimate program and not a virus.

 

[Noomi]

I second Alan's citation of AVG - been using it for years, free.

And Noomi, when you get ahead of this, you don't need to pay for Microslush Office either. You can get the OpenOffice suite which does the same things. And it's free.

And before you download any of this be forewarned -- there are a lot of counterfeit sites posing as a page where you can download this or that but they're fake sites set up to lure you and send you a virus. To be safe I'd go to cnet.com, do a search for the program in question (which will also give you reviews about it) and use their download button. That way you know you're getting the legitimate program and not a virus.

I might have to do that in future. I received a file and in order to read it, I had to download a program, so I did, and it installed itself and a heap of other stuff.
I assume the people who sent me the file had infected it, through no fault of their own.

Cookies are clear. Thank God. Managed to work that part out. Am not seeing many words underlined in posts anymore, but if I quote the post, the words are unlined in the post I quoted. Weird.
I think clearing the cookies helped a little, but I have given my sister my password and I am going to let her loose on it tonight.

I told her that she better not tell me I need a new computer!

 

[Quantum Windbag]

It sounds like you added a browser extension that flags key words to sell you stuff, use CTL-Shift-A to see what is installed and turn off everything you didn't install.

 

[hortysir]

Noomi,

I had the same problems. My search engines were changed, even, also.
Avast couldn't remove any of it so I went to their forums and an Admin a their site directed me here:
Junkware Removal Tool Download
Worked like a charm

Then he had me follow up with
ComboFix Download

Make sure to download both to your Desktop, THEN run it from there when it's done downloading

 

[Quantum Windbag]

If you really need help PM me and I can walk you through resetting Firefox.

 

[Noomi]

It sounds like you added a browser extension that flags key words to sell you stuff, use CTL-Shift-A to see what is installed and turn off everything you didn't install.

I am hoping Jess will be able to tell me what I did.
I might have her come onto this site later on, and check out a few threads, and see if she can see the underlining, so she knows what I mean.

 

[Pogo]

It sounds like you added a browser extension that flags key words to sell you stuff, use CTL-Shift-A to see what is installed and turn off everything you didn't install.

I like this analysis ^^.

Try using another browser to go to the same pages (you should have at least Internet Exploder already installed) and see if the effect goes away. If it does it's probably unwanted browser extensions.

Which reminds me -- when you get to the point of installing AVG it's going to give you a check-mark option of installing a toolbar too. You can uncheck it. It's a pain in the ass.

And also, when you get to the point of installing virus software, yes you do have to uninstall other virus programs, as they will conflict.

 

[Noomi]

It sounds like you added a browser extension that flags key words to sell you stuff, use CTL-Shift-A to see what is installed and turn off everything you didn't install.

I like this analysis ^^.

Try using another browser to go to the same pages (you should have at least Internet Exploder already installed) and see if the effect goes away. If it does it's probably unwanted browser extensions.

Which reminds me -- when you get to the point of installing AVG it's going to give you a check-mark option of installing a toolbar too. You can uncheck it. It's a pain in the ass.

And also, when you get to the point of installing virus software, yes you do have to uninstall other virus programs, as they will conflict.

I have Internet Explorer lol. I will see what happens when I click on that.

Oh fuck. I don't have any other browser except FF.

I did find that instead of google being my default homepage, which it was, it is now something called 'SearchGol', which I isn't anywhere on the computer, but is somehow still installed.

 

[Pop23]

I was going to post suggestions, but everyone else covered them.

It is so refreshing to be on a board where we can disagree with others, but still care enough for them to help when needed!

BTW, great advise was given you by these folks

 

[Noomi]

I was going to post suggestions, but everyone else covered them.

It is so refreshing to be on a board where we can disagree with others, but still care enough for them to help when needed!

BTW, great advise was given you by these folks

I agree. I have heaps of information, and so far, it seems to have worked. I just need to get rid of the multiple windows opening up and I should be fine.

 

[Pogo]

It sounds like you added a browser extension that flags key words to sell you stuff, use CTL-Shift-A to see what is installed and turn off everything you didn't install.

I like this analysis ^^.

Try using another browser to go to the same pages (you should have at least Internet Exploder already installed) and see if the effect goes away. If it does it's probably unwanted browser extensions.

Which reminds me -- when you get to the point of installing AVG it's going to give you a check-mark option of installing a toolbar too. You can uncheck it. It's a pain in the ass.

And also, when you get to the point of installing virus software, yes you do have to uninstall other virus programs, as they will conflict.

I have Internet Explorer lol. I will see what happens when I click on that.

Oh fuck. I don't have any other browser except FF.

I did find that instead of google being my default homepage, which it was, it is now something called 'SearchGol', which I isn't anywhere on the computer, but is somehow still installed.

Well your homepage being switched does indicate QuantumWindbag's analysis is on target and something infested your Firefox.

Indeed I just Googled searchgol :

>> Search Gol is a browser hijacker. It modifies the homepage/search engine of the browser and collects information about your browsing habits.

To get rid of Search Gol, first uninstall the related add-ons from your browsers:

Under Firefox: Click on the Firefox button > Tools > Manage Add-ons <<

There are some cleaners that page recommends for after you've done that. See the rest of the page here.

That should get you started. Careful with those downloads, good luck. Don't fret, if a browser hijacker is all you picked up it's not that big a deal, just annoying. But do those cleanups and scans and checks nonetheless.

Hope this helps

 

[Quantum Windbag]

It sounds like you added a browser extension that flags key words to sell you stuff, use CTL-Shift-A to see what is installed and turn off everything you didn't install.

I like this analysis ^^.

Try using another browser to go to the same pages (you should have at least Internet Exploder already installed) and see if the effect goes away. If it does it's probably unwanted browser extensions.

Which reminds me -- when you get to the point of installing AVG it's going to give you a check-mark option of installing a toolbar too. You can uncheck it. It's a pain in the ass.

And also, when you get to the point of installing virus software, yes you do have to uninstall other virus programs, as they will conflict.

I have Internet Explorer lol. I will see what happens when I click on that.

Oh fuck. I don't have any other browser except FF.

I did find that instead of google being my default homepage, which it was, it is now something called 'SearchGol', which I isn't anywhere on the computer, but is somehow still installed.

Definitely installed some crapware. You can at least clean up Firefox easily enough.

 

[Noomi]

I like this analysis ^^.

Try using another browser to go to the same pages (you should have at least Internet Exploder already installed) and see if the effect goes away. If it does it's probably unwanted browser extensions.

Which reminds me -- when you get to the point of installing AVG it's going to give you a check-mark option of installing a toolbar too. You can uncheck it. It's a pain in the ass.

And also, when you get to the point of installing virus software, yes you do have to uninstall other virus programs, as they will conflict.

I have Internet Explorer lol. I will see what happens when I click on that.

Oh fuck. I don't have any other browser except FF.

I did find that instead of google being my default homepage, which it was, it is now something called 'SearchGol', which I isn't anywhere on the computer, but is somehow still installed.

Well your homepage being switched does indicate QuantumWindbag's analysis is on target and something infested your Firefox.

Indeed I just Googled searchgol :

>> Search Gol is a browser hijacker. It modifies the homepage/search engine of the browser and collects information about your browsing habits.

To get rid of Search Gol, first uninstall the related add-ons from your browsers:

Under Firefox: Click on the Firefox button > Tools > Manage Add-ons <<

There are some cleaners that page recommends for after you've done that. See the rest of the page here.

That should get you started. Careful with those downloads, good luck. Don't fret, if a browser hijacker is all you picked up it's not that big a deal, just annoying. But do those cleanups and scans and checks nonetheless.

Hope this helps

I figured it had something to do with SearchGol. I have the Firefox button, and I clicked 'add ons' but all I can do is add more add ons, not delete them.
Lemme see if I can link to show what it says...

Nope. Umm, in the left hand side it has a list that says:

Get Add Ons
Extensions
Appearance
Plugins
Services

Then in the middle of the screen it shows a list of featured add ons.

 

[Flopper]

Can someone help me out here?

My computer seems to be full of spam and I don't know why. On this site, sometimes in posts, there are words that are underlined, and when I hover my mouse over the word, a window drops down and its a link to a site selling stuff.

Sometimes when I click the link to a thread here, another page opens up and it takes me to a spam site.
I have never have spam on this computer before - a few weeks ago I tried to download Microsoft Office 2010 or something, which I needed in order to view a file I had downloaded from my karate website. It seemed to have added other programs, and while I deleted it and the other programs, they still show up.

When I click on the Firefox button, two windows open up, instead of the one, and a window pops up in each one saying that an installation of something has finished, and I can't do anything until I click 'finish' and the window disappears, and only then can I visit this forum, or any other forum.

I know my computer obviously needs a clean out, but I have no idea how to do it - I want to keep all my passwords and bookmarked sites, including the sites I have in my drop down window at the top of the screen. How do I manage to get rid of this spam shit without getting rid of those?

Your computer is most likely infected. To eliminate the various types of malware, you will probably need to scan your computer with a number of programs. Malwarebytes is a good start but it won't catch everything. You can do this yourself if you have technical savvy, otherwise I would suggest you pay someone to do it. You can take the computer to Geek Squad. They are at Best Buy stores. They will scan your computer for all types malware using several programs, apply the latest updates to operating system and perform some routine maintenance. I think they charge around $60.

If the above does not fix your problem then a system restore would be your best bet. Again you can do this yourself or have it done.

Neither of the above should cause you to lose any data, however it's always a good idea to backup any of your important files, because any time you start doing this kind stuff unexpected things can happen.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

I have Internet Explorer lol. I will see what happens when I click on that.

Oh fuck. I don't have any other browser except FF.

I did find that instead of google being my default homepage, which it was, it is now something called 'SearchGol', which I isn't anywhere on the computer, but is somehow still installed.

Well your homepage being switched does indicate QuantumWindbag's analysis is on target and something infested your Firefox.

Indeed I just Googled searchgol :

>> Search Gol is a browser hijacker. It modifies the homepage/search engine of the browser and collects information about your browsing habits.

To get rid of Search Gol, first uninstall the related add-ons from your browsers:

Under Firefox: Click on the Firefox button > Tools > Manage Add-ons <<

There are some cleaners that page recommends for after you've done that. See the rest of the page here.

That should get you started. Careful with those downloads, good luck. Don't fret, if a browser hijacker is all you picked up it's not that big a deal, just annoying. But do those cleanups and scans and checks nonetheless.

Hope this helps

I figured it had something to do with SearchGol. I have the Firefox button, and I clicked 'add ons' but all I can do is add more add ons, not delete them.
Lemme see if I can link to show what it says...

Nope. Umm, in the left hand side it has a list that says:

Get Add Ons
Extensions
Appearance
Plugins
Services

Then in the middle of the screen it shows a list of featured add ons.

Click Extensions, and you should see the addons. If you can't uninstall it you should at least be able to disable it.