anti virus

blinky

It might be some files which it can't scan e.g. pagefile.sys which is normal (it's locked for only the OS kernel to access). You should be able to generate a report of what it couldn't scan.

Donnie

For pop up ads, you'll need a 'pop up stopper' of some kind.
If you use IE, the Google Toolbar has one. http://toolbar.google.com/

Other browsers have built in 'pop up blockers' http://www.opera.com/ and Firefox http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Downloading and utilising either of these will not interfere with the use of IE if you wish to contnue to use it on occasion.

Before you download and use either of these browsers, you should download, install and run; SpyBot; http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html and/or Adaware; http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

Those two programs, between them, will remove most if not all of the 'spyware' from your computer.

It is unlikely that you would need to do a full scan with Avast again, as it will likely pick up any viruses in real time, before they are installed.

Once you're up and running again with a cleaner computer, you can also use: SpyWareBlaster; http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

dobbiesloan

Have you tried Spyware Doctor? I use it and find easier to use than AVG..Read about it at
http://www.download.com/Spyware-Doctor/3000-8022_4-10293212.html#cnetreview

Browntoa

I would download the Microsoft Anti spyware if you have Xp

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

and run that in safe mode (thread here tells how to do that)

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam

it will clean any spyware on your PC and stop the pop ups, you could also run Avast in safe mode so it can clean properly

The pop ups may be coming from Windows Messenger (not MSN messenger, this is another program), make sure that you have Service Pack 2 installed by doing windows update as this turns it off or try this

http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/docs/messagepopup/

foreverskint

Can I just say thanks to the posters on this thread. Iv'e had all sorts of problems with my PC crashing and behaving badly recently, and Norton was telling me that there was no infected files. I downloaded Avast today and it found 70 files infected with various viruses, and trojan horses. Now my pc is running much better, even if it had taken the best part of my day to sort out. Mind you it wasn't helped by spilling a nice cup of sugary tea and killing my keyboard.:eek: Thankfully a friend came to the rescue and has lent me a spare until I can get a replacement.

mr_accountant

avast IS the best for finding rubbish on your comp, avg is ok but not as good IMHO.

Wombat

Hi Kimberley.

I don't know if you managed to do a complete scan yet or not. In case you didn't, then the following will get the job done:

Right click the Avast icon near the time, bottom right of screen.
Left click "Start avast! Antivirus".
It will then go through a check of your memory and Start Up items.
When the console appears left click the top right icon which looks like a square box. When you hover your mouse over it it should say "Local disks"
A box should pop up on the top of the console. Ensure that the box telling it to scan archived files is ticked (left click it if not).
Left click the large, round icon on the left with a right-pointing arrow on it to start the scan.

That should give you a complete scan of your PC.

boogiemaster

When you go to any web site? A cookie is placed on your computer.
Cookie stores information like passwords and such, they also store your passwords for this site so you don’t have to log in all the time.
You come to this site and you think how dose the web site know my passwords? It’s because the site looks for the cookie on your computer and if it finds the cookie? It reads the details from the cookie and then you don’t have to log in.

Different web sites put their own unique cookie on your computer with different information.
You can stop ads popping up by blocking the add address located in the cookie.
Go to my computer click on your c drive and look for documents and settings.
There should be two folders? All files then another folder with you name on?
Look in that second folder and you should see a folder called cookies?
Double click on the cookie and there will be some information on it like address and numbers.

One like this



One like this
PREF
ID=4ad1e597f78c9f6a:LD=en:TM=11216774835:LM=1145454835:S=X1D22Eh26jX4xkKR
google.co.uk/
1536
2618878336
321114434
2924563008
297678527
*
You will notice the address is google.co.uk?
Next time you get a pop up? Look for the cookie address and write it down.
Next on your web page go to Tool internet options privacy and click on sites.
Type in the web site address and click block.
The web site wont be able to load pop ups on your computer.

List of sites to block

https://www.doubleclick.net
https://www.downloads.180soultions.com This site downloads adware to your computer without telling you, it’s a pain in the !!!!!! big time.
It slows down your computer big time and uses your broadband connection to send adds to other computers and saving 180 solutions thousands of dollars.

https://www.fastadvert.com

When you get a pop up? Right click your mouse and choose properties and copy the web site address to the block page.
You will see less pop ups, pop up blokers just stop the cookies from downloading to your computer.

rabialiones

please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i have been trying to download avest
the window with the files flying into the folder dissappears but the download arrow still seems to be flashing. i do not understand what is happening.
this time the computer has been on from 11.00 p.m. last night but the problem still occurs. when i started it last night it stated that it would take about 2 hours so i left it on.
where am i going wrong??/
i have tried on a few occasions but the same thing happens.
i do not know if the download is in progress as the flashing arrow indicates, but the download window dissappears. or if it has stopped somewhere in between.

Donnie

Which download site are you using?

This link?; http://files.avast.com/iavs4pro/setupeng.exe

Even on dial up the 9MB file should take no more than 45 mins to download.