Can anyone help please

iris

My husband's laptop has today been infected with Personal Internet Security 2011.

He was running Microsoft Security Essentials, but it appears not to be there any more.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to get rid of this virus?

Many thanks Iris

Red_Rose_Exile

Follow the instructions on this site

The_Grandmaster

There may be other malware on the system so my advise would be to run malwarebytes: Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.50 - FileHippo.com and install. Go to UPDATE tab and click CHECK FOR UPDATES. Then run full scan, remove everything found and post log here.

(If problems connecting to internet, restart computer and start in safe mode - F10 I think when computer starts)

Then download and install hijackthis Download HijackThis 2.0.4 - FileHippo.com and run the programme - hit the top button. A log will be produced within seconds and post that here.

iris

Thanks to you both.

Another question, is this download software 'free', or shall I need my credit card?

Iris

aliEnRIK

Malwarebytes and hijack are free
Most things posted on this section are free

iris

An update on my husband's problem.

He has now done a full system restore to the day before the infection started and everything seems to be working ok even the malware has gone (fingers crossed). Not so drastic as going back to factory settings.

Again many thanks for your help.

JasX

Are/were his security patches kept automatically up to date using windows update? -thats as critical if not more critical than having good AV

iris

JasX wrote: »

Are/were his security patches kept automatically up to date using windows update? -thats as critical if not more critical than having good AV

Yes, in fact he had just done a full scan prior to the infection, plus Windows Intnernet Security was all up-to-date. Just don't know where this came from!!

Again thanks.

free4440273

What's your existing anti-virus install? In addition to MSE, I would install the brilliant Avast too -- never lets me down after over 6 yrs usage/

Paid for MBAM might be worth your while too -- minimal outlay and lifetime one-off payment ////////

JasX

iris wrote: »

Yes, in fact he had just done a full scan prior to the infection, plus Windows Intnernet Security was all up-to-date. Just don't know where this came from!!

Again thanks.

I'm talking specifically about "windows update" and making sure the operating system itself is patched with updates microsoft release regularly

Its very unusual to get a virus of any kind if you have reputable AV (up to date) AND also operating system security patching up to date. If one of those is wide open you are vulnerable to things comming along... however with both those in place you have to explicitly open a bad attachment in and email and conciously install it or have an infected USB stick/CD you choose to 'autorun' to get an infection

Its very confusing you talking about 'doing a full scan' or 'windows internet security' in your post as neither of them are anything to do with my question.

you can have the best most up to date anti virus program ever you scan with every day but if your security patches are not up to date you PC is still wide open to infection

JasX

free4440273 wrote: »

What's your existing anti-virus install? In addition to MSE, I would install the brilliant Avast too -- never lets me down after over 6 yrs usage/

Paid for MBAM might be worth your while too -- minimal outlay and lifetime one-off payment ////////

No you should only ever have ONE active anti virus engine running at once. two will conflict with each other