Infected Computer; please advise, thanks very much

muirbabe

I have just come of the phone to my brother, he is getting messages on his computer screen from a programe calling itself 'Vistaantivirus' that his computer is infected and asking for $50 to sort it. He cant access the internet, the above programe is blocking him.

Neither of us is technically very savvy at all,but please could someone advise the best course of action.

His OS is Vista, its a Dell computer. Would Dell be able to sort this over the phone? at a price obviously.

Thanks very much indeed for any help anyone can offer
muirbabe

closed

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-win-7-antispyware-2012

wookie66

Hi

Relatively easy to sort out

All you need to do is a system restore to a point in time when the computer was working without any problem

Just go to Control Panel /System Security / System Properties and look for the System Restore button on one of the tabs

Then just follow the instructions which will ask you to chose a date in time to which you want your computer to be recovered to

If you cant find system restore just do a search under the Start Options

Any problems just post here again

Good luck

muirbabe

Hi,

Thank you very much Closed and wookie for your quick replies.

I will go over to my brothers in the morning and take it from there. Thanks again for your advice and information.
Muirbabe
ps my brother has something on tonite so we cant do anything till the morning.

muirbabe

Hi wookie66, closed and anyone else who is reading,

I wonder if someone would advise?


Is it possible to get rid off 'VistaAntiVirus' by simply using System Restore or do I have to actually 'kill' and remove the virus as described in Closed's link to BleepingComputer?

Thanks very much
muirbabe

RussJK

You can make it 'inactive' with System Restore, in that the old registry settings probably won't have the keys that automatically start it when you load Windows. Afterwards you'll still want to run a QUICK scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and double check the suggested folders from the link for any leftovers.

Good idea to uninstall Java unless you have a program that requires it. At worst, you can just reinstall Java.

I also suggest something like Temp File Cleaner or ATF, to clear temp files, Java cache, etc from all users, then restart:
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/

CCleaner offers similar functions but doesn't do it for all user profiles, so you'd have to log into each profile and run CCleaner.

muirbabe

Hi, Thanks again for your help and advice:j

We did a computer restore on my brothers computer successfully:cool:

We have ran Malware bites and deleted a couple of nasties, touch wood, everything seems fine.

Thanks again, best wishes,

Muirbabe

ps I have left my brother finishing off:)