Laptop

[rogervansteeden]

When buying a laptop do they come with windows and antivirus discs and can you load a different internet security software

[Boris]

They will usually come with XP/Vista pre-installed - but you normally only get either a recovery disk or a recovery partion to take you back to the original installed version (not a "proper" Windows disk).

Most also come with a trial (30/60 day) version of anti-virus software (usually Norton or McAfee).

However, both McAffee and Norton provide downloadable tools to fully remove their products. You can then install whatever security you want.

[Belatucadrus]

In most cases the time limited AV trial is a pre-installation package that needs to be activated to be of any use. I don't bother with them as the freebies do the job just as well and frequently much better.

Some useful downloads are :-

PCDecrapifier Great for removing short term sponsored junkware.

Comodo Internet Security

avast!

Rising

AVG

Antivir

Only one AV at a time.

[rogervansteeden]

How can i delete old A/V before installing new one as there is nothing in Add/Remove programmes,there are 29 viruses/spyware on their laptop

[Belatucadrus]

What Anti Virus is it and how do you know there are 29 viruses/spyware on their laptop ? It'd be interesting to know what it is and why it can't deal with what it reports.

[rogervansteeden]

Because the free period ended many months ago(norton Spyguard i think)we ran a viruscan and it reported 29 viruses/spyware then i tried to remove all and it would only remove them if we paid a further year subscription,however we cant purchase it as we cannot access the internet due to the viruses it wont allow us on?

[Belatucadrus]

OK several steps to try here:-

1) Download and run DrWeb CureIT it doesn't have an installation routine so shouldn't be blocked by malware. If this doesn't work try

2) Download and run Norman Malware cleaner

Hopefully between the two of them they should clean the laptop for you.

When it's clean you can download a replacement AV package then to get rid of Norton after this,

3) Download and run their Removal tool

Finally install the replacement AV package, make sure it's updated and run a full system scan with it.

[rogervansteeden]

Sorry i may seem a bit dim here not knowing how to sort out these problems but because of the viruses wont allow me on the net how do i download these items you mentioned i think they call this a catch 22 position?

[Belatucadrus]

Use whatever computer you're using at the moment to access the forum, download the files, then burn copies to CD or put them on a USB memory stick and transfer them to the affected laptop, then run.

[Boris]

(norton Spyguard i think)

As far as I know, there is no Norton product called Spyguard.

However there is a nasty called called Spyware.Spy-Guard.

This is a spyware program that logs keystrokes and monitors user activity, such as Web sites visited.

It can also block specific sites.

[Boris]

Does your malicious items report look anything like this ? :-

[rogervansteeden]

Thankyou Belatucadrus for all your help where can i find out all these solutions are they in the windows for dummies books as that would fit my description lol?

[rogervansteeden]

Yes Boris it is very similar to that one ,i think her anti-virus is long past its re-newal date so tomorrow im off to Pc world to buy Kaspersky internet suite then i will use the tools downloaded as Belatucudrus mentioned and clear all those viruses and remove Norton before loading Kaspersky,thankyou very much.

Ps im currently still trying to solve her fathers wont load problems but i got into safe mode and running a full Mcafee scan its gonna run all night to finish,ive defragmented his hard drive and im also deleting temporary files

[Boris]

Yes Boris it is very similar to that one

It looks like it is a rogue one then. :(

[Belatucadrus]

Well if it is a Rogue malware cleaner on the plus side the list of "29 viruses/spyware" may be entirely bogus, on the downside it looks as if it's a Smitfraud variant which is pretty near as nasty in its own right. I'm hoping that DrWeb and/or Norman should shift it, but if they don't there are a couple of more specialised tools available here and here that may prise it off the laptop.

If all this fails we may have to pass you on to one of the more specialised forums who will be able to walk you through the laborious process of shifting it by hand.

As to where to find these solutions ? I did it the hard way,A-level, HNC & HND in computing combined with time and an interest in free software that does what it says rather than attempting to coerce you into paying for it.

[Belatucadrus]

Oops duplicated a link there, comes of staying up too long. Second link should have pointed to Malwarebytes rogue remover at Click Here.