Computer Virus?? AVG scan didn't pick up anything...?

Question

some programs on my computer haven't been working lately..(interent explorer, aim, winwamp, GOM), they close soon after they open, with an error message (internet explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close). So i scanned my computer with AVG, and there were no infections...but there's obviously something wrong with my computer.. i don't know what to do, i can't afford to lose a computer especially now that school's starting soon. i've tried re-installing the programs, but that didn't work..and i've tried windows update but i can't do it from firefox... i don't know what to do. please help!!

thank you! :)

---I've tried to do system restore, but for some reason the error message pops up when i click it...

Answer 1

Well its probably not a virus... Your registry could be corrupted... Trying running CC Cleaner, or JV16 Powertools, and it might help you out.

Answer 2

AVG is not that good, in fact you should get Norton Security, There have been several reports lately reporting that quite a lot of people are having problems with viruses with using AVG software. There didn't find any virus like you. I recommend you change to Norton Security. You have to buy it Norton apparently but it will be worth it. I'm being truthful now. If AVG is free why is more people using Norton instead and you have to pay for AVG. I strongly recommend Norton. Norton can scan all viruses and tells you the risk of it infecting your computer. Oh yeah... by the way, If you have tracking cookies it will show up as as a risk. If you don't never mind that.

I forgot to mention that if you have downloaded anything lately it might be that because you allowed the download and the computer marks all the downloads that "you" allowed are safe! If you use Norton, you can scan before downloading and you won't need to worry about that!

Hope this Helpz!

Answer 3

Hello

your computer may be infected with the virus and Trojan

I suggest you use a comprehensive killing NOD

Then clean up your registry repair documents can be resolved

Please visit

  http://www.Fix-pc-Master.com

Answer 4

ok this is what you have to do!!!!

download this thing thing called spybot it is a good virsy protection and helps with torjans etc. and getting rid of them!!!

go here to download-- http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirro...

and now you have to get rid of internet explorer because it has horrible security and is slow , what you need to download is mozilla firefox! and know what some people say about it but its awesome, it has alot more security and doesnt let near as many virsu etc. through as internet explorer and is literally like 10 times faster...and its simple if you want to transer ur favourites over just before you uninstall internet explorer download firefox and it will ask you if you want to switch your favourites over and then once your done with that then just delete internet explorer! trust me its 110% better

go here to download it -- http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

ohh and both these programs are free

Answer 5

If AVG is not working then check out http://www.nicklockard.com for more help

Answer 6

Sounds almost exactly like the problems I just had, except that my programs just disappeared leaving little Icons. You might want to try Trend Micro Antivirus to scan your pc. It comes with a firewall and a 30 day trial. I love it. Also, try scanning your pc with Malwarebites' anti-malware. It's free and doesn't give you stupid prompts to buy or upgrade. If these don't work I think you may need to take your pc to have the hard drive checked out, 'cause that's what went on me when I started having problems. But don't panic. Someone may have an answer that will fix the problem and I could be totally wrong. But just prepare in case I'm not.

Answer 7

You need to make sure that you scan the computer during the boot process, before Windows has finished booting. If you don't, some viruses can hide themselves from virus scanners.

I never figured out how to do an "on-boot" scan with AVG, but I'm now using Avast! 4 Home Edition as virus scanner, and it has an option called "Schedule Boot-Time Scan" in its Tools menu.

I suggest you give Avast! a try. Download it, install it, and start it. Avast! should then ask you to update the virus database and the program. When it's done with that, click on "Tools" and "Schedule Boot-Time Scan". Then reboot your computer using Start, Shutdown, Restart.

This way, Avast! found a few viruses that AVG didn't find.

Good luck!

Answer 8

wow.... thats a huge problem... you definitely caught something.... is there a bestbuy around you? bring it too their geek squad; they should be able to help you out, what kind of AVG do you have the free version?  

Answer 9

First off STAY THE h**l AWAY FROM ANY AOL PRODUCTS. AIM is AOL Instant Messenger. AOL has eaten up more space and resource on computers than p**n. It infests your system and is a real pain to completely eliminate all the c**p it leaves behind. That being said, try downloading and running CCleaner and Easycleaner also PrivacyEraser. They are all free and work fantastic. NEXT Read this.

O.K. Here we go. First of all this is meant to answer the most commonly asked questions. Such as. 1) Why is my computer acting funny and what is malware,spyware,trojans,etc?  2)How can I tell if I am really infected? 3)How do I fix the problem? 4)Are there free utilities that I can use and if so which ones are best? 5)What is the best security software.

Your computer is most likely to act up as a result of MALWARE.  Malware, also known as Malicious Software, is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, most rootkits, spyware, dishonest adware, and other malicious and unwanted software.

There are a couple of good Free online scans to verify the presence of an intrusion. Trend micro Housecall and Kaspersky. Housecall will also remove malware while Kaspersky offers a Free 30day FULL VERSION TRIAL.

Fixing the problem is only half the equasion. First is to attempt to prevent this from happening in the first place. To do this you must employ several tools together. A firewall. An anti-spyware utility. An anti-virus utility. And in some cases a popup blocker. Next is to remove any intrusions that happen to get through.*Note* The stronger your utilities and the more often they update their detection protocols the less likely something will get through.

The proper way to remove malware is to turn off your system restore. (malware hides a copy of itself there quite often) Then re boot into safe mode. (keep pressing f8 when you power up and select safe mode) Then run your anti virus / anti spyware-trojan utilities. Then re-boot with your internet connection disabled and re-run your scans. then turn your restore back on and set a new restore point.

Lets face it. You usually get what you pay for.There are some rather fine Freeware utilities out there but none of them are as strong as the ones you pay for. Of the pay ones Norton / Symantec is almost as big a joke as McAffee.Which is just marginally better than the c**p that microsoft packs with windows. Google the anti virus certifying bodies that rate these companies. Use what the pros use. Of the freeware out there my personal preferences are: For Anti-Virus) Avira Antivir, AVG, Avast, Cyber Defender.

For Anti-Spyware) Ad Aware, Panda, SpywareTerminator, SuperAntiSpyware, Spybot S&D.  Firewalls) Agnitum outpost, **COMODO PRO**, ZoneAlarm.

As for the paid for utilities There is something that needs saying. Running seperate utilities is more resource intensive on a system. It will use more of your processor as well as more of your RAM. Most GOOD security utilities are Suites which not only use less system resource but include such things as firewall, privacy protection, file anti-vir, mail anti-vir, web anti-vir, Anti-spam, parental control, and a little thing called a "Proactive defense" which monitors your computer for ANY unauthorized changes to its configuration. By the way I am a typical guy and surf p**n like the rest of you. (DON'T FRONT) I also operate and download in hostile environments. The reason I'm saying this is to tell you that a GOOD QUALITY SUITE (like Kaspersky or TrendMicro) is capable of really protecting the average user.

Here are some download links for the above mentioned software. And finally. Here is a review by PC Authority magazine of 47 products rated by price, performance,ease of use, etc.

http://www.pcauthority.com.au/Search/Def...

http://www.free-av.com/

http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_fr...

http://www.spywareterminator.com/

http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostf...

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

http://usa.kaspersky.com/trials/home-use...

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Answer 10

You most likely havent updated AVG. Go to Download.com (CNET Site) and Install AVG 8. You most likely have AVG 7.5

Try scanning again

Answer 11

k, google (sorry yahoo) malwarebytes. Its sleek lil anti malware program that picks up just about everything. Its free to try and ive had great sucess with it. Heres the twist tho. Once you download it, pull out your ethernet cable (take your puter offline) before you run the scan. See what it picks up.

Futhering that scan, if your machine still has problems try registry mechanic. If that doesnt help its time to nuke windows and start over.

Btw, AVG sucks the giant pooper. Get yourself a copy of Symantec Corporate 10. Best antivirus ever created. Just dont confuse it with Norton, which is made by the same company but again sucks the pooper.

Answer 12

ok go to www.comodo.com unistall your firewall and antivirus download theirs, install, and scan it

you need windows xp service pack 2 to install it

Answer 13

Your best start is to read to this forum -

http://www.castlecops.com/HijackThis.htm...

Which will walk you thru the tools listed -

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Remov...

Definitely do a TrendMicro HouseCalls scan!

One important thing is the fact that you should completely update the Operating System and ALL of the patches.  If your machine is patched for the vulnerability on the HD, then YOU cannot get infected.  It is the more proactive approach (patching your machine, keeping your software updated, using the most current firmware and drivers).  AV is ALWAYS reactive!

If you need any help (especially if the forum is slow), please let me know!

EDIT - btw... i have NO faith in ANY free AV!