Win 7 Home Security- help!

pacman_2

Got a new laptop a couple of weeks ago. Running ok until yesterday. getting a message that PC is infected and show 30 files that are dangerous. In order to clear them, I am advised to subscribe to Win 7 home Security for £60 a year. I've got MacFee AV software and looking at that there is no problem. I can't log onto internet now as it keeps telling me I need Win 7 Home Sec. Is this a scam to get me to fork out £60? How can I get onto internet to look at other (free) software that will solve the problem? Need your help and advice guys. Many thanks in advance.

m5rcc

Yes sadly this is a scam. Is your McAfee up-to-date?

I would recommend you download and run the following:

AdAware
If you have any Malware problems - a type of virus that is trying to sell you something, the free version of AdAware will help you find the problem.
Get AdAware Now
SpyBot
Another great scanner, labelled the best privacy software available.
Get SpyBot Now
MalwareBytes
While you should only ever use one anti-virus programs, you should try a few malware removers, to make sure you get rid of everything. This is another good one.
Get MalwareBytes

pacman_2

I'm at work so can't do anything now. Problem is I can't get onto internet. how do I get around this? Why didn't MacFeee stop this(it is up to date)? or should I have ahd additional AV software?

closed

2 weeks old, it's not worth trying to clean it up.

backup your data, and restore to factory settings using restore partition, then uninstall mcafee and install avast 6 free and malwarebytes free.

aerostar

Boot into safe mode with network, you must use a network cable connected to your modem/router for this as wireless drivers are not installed in this mode.

download malwarebytes http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Malwarebytes-AntiMalware/1186760019/1 run it and update it, then still in safemode do a FULL scan, will take a bit of time.

Google for Win 7 home Security lots of info.

Apples2

I stumbled around this a while ago.

The default account is goosed with this scam. Admin account was disabled.

I booted into Safe Mode, made a new User Account (Admin)

Booted to new account, ran combofix, rebooted, then malwarebytes

I also downloaded and ran Bitdefender Rescue CD Boot-time AV which scans prior to Windows opening. http://download.bitdefender.com/rescue_cd/ (always useful to have in the cupboard)

Once all the scans were done, the original account was clear.

pacman_2

As it's only a couple of weeks old, I ahven't saved any data. If I restored to factory settings, would it be like starting over again? I won't lose any pre loaded software? Also where do I find restore to factory settings option?

Richie-from-the-Boro

pacman wrote: »

As it's only a couple of weeks old, I haven't saved any data. If I restored to factory settings, would it be like starting over again? I won't lose any pre loaded software? Also where do I find restore to factory settings option?

Closed is correct, do a 1970 John Lennon is the best starting point.

The pre-loaded software is precisely that software that brought you machine to a standstill, its a dis-benefit that the pre-loaded software will return. See it as a negative not a positive.

When you have restored the machine to factory default and before you plug it into the internet come back here for advice on how to clean up the pre-installed carp, get rid of McAcrapp and get a decent virus checker on before you begin.

pacman_2

How do I get back to factory setting?

closed

The manual or manufacturers website should have instructions, it depends on the model, generally press a key combination at boot

jayme1

here is a very quick rundown on how to full restore your computer:

• copy everything off your computer to an external hard drive
• deactivate itunes or any other similar software.
• [STRIKE]find your system restore discs you either got with your computer or burnt yourself in the first start up (if not find the utility and burn them now[/STRIKE] - you should have done this already (the day you got your computer) and you will have to do it before you restorew you computer as ot may not let you burn them after you have reset) (burn them now before you reset)
• [STRIKE]start up the pc and place in the factory restore disc[/STRIKE]
• (in your case you should use the recovery partition of the computer ie tap F8 while the computer is starting (might be a different F key)
• [STRIKE]turn off the computer and restart it[/STRIKE]
• follow the onscreen prompts to begin the reinstalation of the OS
• wait for a while (have a cuppa) but be near because it may need you to swap discs ect.
• come back and you will be greated by the standard start up screens you got when you first got the computer. (you will not even have to activate the computer)
• after you can uninstall all the crapware that comes with new computers (start with macafee, then uninstall any toolbars, web browsers you dont use, free game demos, ect ect)
• install some antivirus such as the free microsoft security essentials (or avast)
  
• run windows update and let it get on with that
• then start installing your programs (windows live essentials, itunes, office ect.)
• copy all your data off the external hard drive to the relevent folders.
• keep an upto date copy of all your data on the external hard drive as a backup (common sense)