I have a brilliant Inspiron 1525 laptop and running Windows Vista.
Turning on laptop this morning there are three windows open called Computer, Network and Public panes. These windows I did not open myself when on the computer last night and they will not close, is it a virus? There are also some different bars for viewing stuff like dropdowns in the bottom toolbar (quicklaunch toolbar?) that I did not see like this before.
Last things I done the last few days:
1. Last night I downloaded two job documents from a NHS jobs website. Perhaps could i have got a virus from one of those downloaded file?
2. Recall I may have took advantage of a free virusscan with McAfee which popped up window yesterday. even though I already have a free a.v. program I am using for now. It makes me think could it have been a scam window?
Anyway I immediately did a system scan using my Avira antivirus. It did not detect anything but during the clean up a window flashed up saying "security options failed" with an ok box to click on which i did. Could I have been the victim of a hacker attack last night because I don't run full a.v. software with a complete firewall on (instead I opted to put the Windows standard firewall in place.) I realise McAfee is probably a good detector and a.v. software I downloaded from Dell Support centre and currently ran it through the C: and related - it says No Virus Threat present.
Over the last few days I have received prompts to update my Firefox browser software (3.0.15 currently) to 3.5 version. Says I may need to update the version for security reasons as well as others. I was going to do this but was aware there could be problems with extensions, So i waited to read up on this. Do you think it would be ok for me to upgrade my Moxilla after this is all remedied, or do you think I need to do it quickly as there has been a security hitch with current version?
I think it also prompted my Adobe flash needs attention, I not sure if I have upgraded this or not currently, and need to check..
The version of Internet explorer I am using is currently 8.
Please advise me immediately what do you think I should do next to limit further damage and fix this fault? I am not very techie but i do know how to download programs, move things around drives etc. Need some expert advice ASAP please.
Many thanks cc
(A normally cautious PC user.)
Hi, cosycarol:
Please post in the malware removal forum first. Make sure you read the instructions on what to post.
Good luck!
Please post back and let me know if you need more help. If my suggestions have helped you solve your problem, you can click Accepted Solution next to my post to tell other forum users where they can find help. Feel free to send me a PM if you like, but I will post suggestions in the forum, not by private message.
Osprey
CD/DVD FAQ
Hi, cosycarol
A virus from the NHS – that’s a good one
Anyway was just thinking about a reply then noticed osprey4 had posted, so here is my 2 cents
I may have misunderstood your setup, but you shouldn’t have more than one AV installed & enabled, otherwise they will cause system stability problems – if correct then only have one enabled
In fact you should remove any additional AV applications
Have you tried launching Task Manager & looking at the Applications tab to see what is running & if any of the three Windows are listed, try clicking on them one at a time & use End Task button to see if they Close?
If the problem was caused by system software changes then try using System Restore, select a date just before the problem started
But if it is indeed a Malware problem then System Restore probably won’t help
As already suggested by osprey4, if it is Malware related, try asking Malware Removal Forum experts for help
Before posting there, read the first thread by Bugbatter, click here
Hi Osprey - in a panic posted in wrong forum, what dumb blonde - so sorry! As I now solved this - wont be any need to go to malware on this topic thanks. Must have hit toolbars extra for more windows or something just before logging off last time, ran several a.v. programs but all say I am clear of any malware, trojans or viruses. Phew!!!!
Bellboy - really appreciate such a swift response - also, as in panic completely overlooked the fact i was saying I got virus from NHS site - ha ha!!! Need to lighten up!
AV - yeah you've misunderstood - I havent got more than one AV enabled. Yes I understand, thanks for advice. What I meant was that I didn't have full firewall running with the free Avira software I put on after McAfee expired, I planned to purchase it later though. So I put on the standard Windows Firewall setting for now.
Task Manager -of course tried that first but these windows would not close so then thought I had been infected with malware - no fears - I have now identified its not malware problem, many thanks, just last couple of weeks been getting warning notices Adobe Flash player should be updated for security reasons. Then strangely enough i think there was a key problem with BT homehub - flatmate coincidently had same problem, lost the internet hub connection for no apparent reason - his one week before mine started playing up (such are the intricacies of I.T.!) I think it was their problem as did not change anything with our set-ups. Now the woman's calmed down and took really logical steps yesterday a.m. she has found out from her Control Panel - Device activity manager what the critical areas have been with faults - Basically one was a critical boot failure earlier then an Adobe Flash saying player not working properly.
I surmised it was all because I needed to update Moxilla Firefox browser to V.3.5. I also did this yesterday (after i established no virus) and now I'm having some issues in relation to drivers so will post in appropriate forum. (Had a hunch may happen according to recent reports, guess I should have stuck with my previous 3.0.2 version but I was worried all these problems were somehow connected as something out of synch if I didn't update!) Wish I was techie and not paranoid LOL! Isn't it strange how everything so neatly fluidly connected but once you start tampering with upgrades somehow they omit to get interfaces right and then everything ceases talking to the previous friends. Guess that's why you gurus are here to help me. Thanks guys. Appreciate.
You’re welcome – good to hear you got it fixed
I don’t think anyone was suggesting you had posted in the wrong Forum, most newbies are expected to try the New to Community Forum as a first stop