do i need this?

homealone_2

for the last few days whenever i log on a programme called "WINFIXER2005" starts downloading. i have a norton security programme already on my system and no noting about this new one. is it connected to norton or is it just one of those annoying popups that have gone further than just popping up. should i remove it and how? or is it something i should load? sorry, if seems daft but not very experienced on computer

Rex_Mundi

This is spyware/adware. Norton will not flag this because it is not classed as a virus. You need to remove it. I've heard a few people say that Microsoft spyware remover will get rid of this.

If you have W2000/XP you can download this for free. Have a look at the microsoft site for the download.

This seems to be getting more common. A couple of people in here have had this recently.

alanrowell

Do you have a proper firewall like zonealarm (not the one way thing Microshaft provides) and do you have any spyware removers like adaware. If not you really really should install them.

shazrazmataz

I've also been getting this for a few weeks now & my pc has the microsoft spyware remover & it's not removing it !

mdb99jh

I use a combination of "microsoft antispyware", "adaware SE" and "spybot search + destroy", and STILL I'm not 100% sure I've got them all. They all seem to pick up things the others didn't.

arealhighlander

Microsoft Antispyware should get rid of it.

Otherwise you could also try
http://www.spyware-removal-guideline.com/winfixer-removal

homealone_2

is there anything free that i can download? if so could someone post the address and easy to use instructions. i am totally useless at this and somehow have now fot it on my desktop in five places!

mcwarre

Just go here http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx and keep clicking and reading; it's that simple!!

cloud_dog

Install Spywareguard this will help prevent malware getting installed. As ever with any of these products they are only as good as the last updated list, so you need to remember to d othis regularly, or pay for one/two of the products and you can then schedule the d/loads.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html

cloud_dog

btw, I have this running as well as Ad-Aware

Debt_Free_Chick

homealone wrote:

is there anything free that i can download? if so could someone post the address and easy to use instructions. i am totally useless at this and somehow have now fot it on my desktop in five places!

There seems to be no easy fix for Winfixer2005 - see here for full removal instructions, though you will need to edit the registry and it seems like you might not be confident doing that.

Pest Patrol claims to remove it, but that will cost you £18 as does Spysweeper at $29.95, which is about the same price.

Is your operating system fully patched i.e. have you downloaded and installed all service packs and patches? Which OS are you using?

Winfixer seems to be a nagging pop-up asking you to buy some software - you may well have downloaded a so-called free trial, which had Winfixer bundled into it. It just keeps asking you to buy the full priced version of the trial. A right scam :mad:

homealone_2

mcwarre wrote:

Just go here http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx and keep clicking and reading; it's that simple!!

have done as you suggested but have now reached a page where it is asking me am i sure i want to run this as it may cause me harm as it is not from a known publisher????? now what? and is this free? have not been asked for payment yet? hope it is free