Malware infection

[Phoenix]

Just had this warning pop up on my laptop.

Dangerous malware infection was detected on you pc. The system will now download and install the most efficient antimalware program to prevent data loss and your private information theft.

Click here to protect your computer from the biggest malware threats.

I am running AVG, Spybot and Adaware but they make no difference.

If I click on the warning it takes me to Spyaxe.net and wants me to buy some more protection. Now there is no way I am going to give my details & cc number after receiving this warning, are they for real or is this just another scam?

Now I know nothing about computers so could someone give me some advice in very basic not techy language. Should I be doing more to protect my laptop? is there anything else I should be doing? I have never had anything like this before.


Thanks in advance

P

[hut49]

It's a scam to get you buy stuff you don't need. First try running spybot and adaware in Safe Mode. Try this first and let us know if it fixed it. Check your firewall settings too - what operating system are you using?

[petros]

Good download to try is Avast Anti Virus. It's free of charge and excellent. Peter

[Phoenix]

Thanks guys,

Just ran Adaware in safe mode and it's now sorted. Being a non techy person it scared the sh*t out of me when it came up on the screen. Hope it's just a scam to get me to part with money rather that obtaining info from my computer.

All security measures now double checked and fully updated.

Thanks

P

Oh, nearly forgot, Merry Christmas.

[roadsweeper]

Run the online Symantec security check. It may find the problem for you and if it does it generally recommends a special removal tool.

Oh, and as has already been said, don't buy the software the malware is recommending!

[Phoenix]

Oh nuts!!!

Thought it was all sorted. it's back again so I guess I didn't fix it yesterday. Everything checked out ok when I ran my antivirus (AVG) and ad blockers (SpyBot, AdAware, NoAdware). Ran the suggested online virus and security checks and they all looked good. Apart from my home page was still wrong.

Looks like another day sat in front of the pc instead of cycling in the Peaks
On second thoughts I will go out today and attack this tonight with a bottle of wine.

Any suggestions/help (with computer, not the wine) would be great.

Thanks

P

[Ace-T]

Google the name of the malware advert/software in google groups. There is bound to be advice on how to get rid.

Ace-T

[FLat in Fifth]

roadsweeper said:

Run the online Symantec security check. It may find the problem for you and if it does it generally recommends a special removal tool. Oh, and as has already been said, don't buy the software the malware is recommending!

Mind you symantec said I was not running any known form of anti-virus software. Recommended I buy Norton.....

Obviously they've never heard of Network Associates (McAfee) fully up to date and at Defcon5.

[davidn]

Just got rid of the Spyaxe thing, Google for it and look for SmitRem, run it and it's gone, or at least it went for me.
Good luck
David

[t1grm]

I've jst spent 2 hours claening my PC of this crap. Grrrr...

As has been said google for spyaxe, and then download and run smitrem. I also ran ewido and adaware afterwards as suggested. It also seems to have buggered up my instalation of MS Money so I'll have to dig out the CD and reinstall that later.