Topic: "Anti Virus Software" on my computer - Real or not??

[ManonPiws]

Ok so here's what's happened...

My computer has aquired some anti-virus software called "Security Tool".
I didn't install it.
I can't uninstall it.
It tells me I have LOADS of viruses (ed Trojians) which I know I don't becuase my McAfee anti virus tells me I don't.
What I think it is is a Virus disguised as an anti-virus programme.
After about 1 minute of having my computer on, the screen goes blue and the comp switches off.
Any advice tech guys?

[JimmyTheHoover]

Sounds like this may be useful Manon :-

http://remove-malware.net/how-to-remove-security-tool-rogue-anti-spyware/

Jim

[jonsey]

sounds nasty :I( my first advise (and im sure many will rush in to disagree with me) is to get rid of mcaffe, i despice that programme, it slows down your machine and fails to pick up some viruses - i originaly ran mcaffe and got fed up of it and installed AVG free version - AVG picked up 2 viruses on my machine within 60 seconds mcaffe had missed!!!!!!!

best thing to try and install for your problem (which will be difficult if your BSOD - may try it in safe mode see if that helps) is BO Cleaner - its a active malware scanner made by comodo that may pick up what you have on there, then i would further that up with installing AVG Free (pay version is better - but free is very good) and comodo firewall with Adaware anti spyware - runnin that combo i have never had a problem in the past 4 yeards that includes downloading stuff of dodgy sites such as limewire and pirate bay.

if you put in at least the 3 scanning programmes i mentioned above it may hopefuly get rid of whats on your pc........though the problem may be unrelated to that software

[Huw]

Unless you play PC games or have some piece of software you desperately need I'd suggest you try changing your operating system. (At his request) I just converted Glynllifon's caretakers laptop from the hated Vista to Ubuntu 9.10. He reckons it's ace. All the crap about Anti-Virus and trojans etc. has now disappeared - he can just get on with using his laptop without any hassle. If all you need is T'Internet, Skype, Instant Messenger, MS compatible Office etc. then Ubuntu will do it just fine.

BTW if you really want to stay with Microsoft Jonsey is right. McAffee is pants! AVG is good but eats your memory like there's no tomorrow. Avast (also free) seems to be OK - detects most of everything, doesn't take over your PC and is cheap or free.

Out of interest Manon do you use MSN? I've fixed dozens of PC's for people over the years and pretty much everybody who uses the MSN Messenger software has been infected with viruses. Trillian or some other such messenger software could well help stop you becoming infected again.







BTW, I know I'm not the only one here which fixes other peoples PC's etc. Anyone noticed that Vista seems to trash it's hard disk? I've had three Vista laptops in recently and ALL of them have had serious hard disk issues - i.e. thousands of bad sectors etc. In years of fixing XP stuff I never saw anything like this!

[JimmyTheHoover]

BTW, I know I'm not the only one here which fixes other peoples PC's etc. Anyone noticed that Vista seems to trash it's hard disk? I've had three Vista laptops in recently and ALL of them have had serious hard disk issues - i.e. thousands of bad sectors etc. In years of fixing XP stuff I never saw anything like this!

Can't say I've seen it on either of the two home laptops running vista (yeuch!) - or had any reports from the Works Vista mob - now in cluding myself as of last week....

Were these newish laptops Huw or older ones upgraded to Vista ?

Jim

[Huw]

Vista came pre-installed on both. I use a Linux boot disk to delete the various partitions you get on new PC's these days (even when reinstalling Windows) and it had a fit when it examined the hard disks. Of the most recent, one had over 1500 bad sectors and the other was well over 15,000! Both of the users didn't know enough to switch off the various Vista 'services' which hammer the hard disk. Co-incidence ?

[JimmyTheHoover]

Dunno really - the two home lappies are pretty much a standar Home Ultimate installation - nothing really turned off.... don't most HD's actually have quite a few "manufacturing defect sectors" that get mapped out as part of the initial factory format? - perhaps your Linux low level reformat is picking up the existing bad sectors map ?

Jim

[Huw]

Don't think so.  It had thresholds for various disk defects and the disks were well beyond acceptable levels on several indicators. The software was reporting that both disks should be replaced immediately as they could fail at any point.

I'm just curious if anyone else has come across anything like this.

[JimmyTheHoover]

Could be coincidence I suppose - what percentage of the disk space did the 1500 sectors amount to ?

Jim

[Huw]

Can't remember TBH. That hard disk had Ubuntu installed onto it and is still working ish. The one with 15,000 bad sectors was binned!!

I also though co-incidence, but when I had three in a row it got me thinking that maybe all the hard disk thrashing Vista does was actually doing some damage.

[JimmyTheHoover]

Could be related I suppose - don't suppose the disks were all from the same manufacturer ?

Jim

[ManonPiws]

Weeeeeeell I took my laptop in to the SU tech guys and I had to join and PAY £100 FOR THE PRIVALIGE.

I get unlimited repairs now until August though.

So maybe then I'll change to the Ususuanshd thing

Thanks for your help!

[JimmyTheHoover]

Weeeeeeell I took my laptop in to the SU tech guys and I had to join and PAY £100 FOR THE PRIVALIGE.

I get unlimited repairs now until August though.

So maybe then I'll change to the Ususuanshd thing

Thanks for your help!

Doesn't sound "too bad" a deal if you have any issues - did they say what they "found" or "did" to sort it out Manon ?

JIm

[ManonPiws]

I don't knwo what they found or anything because I've been in Wales (for the WTKF Christmas party!!) since Wednesday.
Going back to Leeds today though and will find everything out tomorrow!
Thanks for your help!

[JimmyTheHoover]

Thanks Manon - hope you had a great Party 

Jim