Virus on my computer. How do I save my files?

Question

I have really weird things happening to my laptop. Like it just randomly turns off by itself and messages keep popping up that its infected.... things like that. Its pretty old so I'm not too concerned about fixing it. I just wanted to know what is the safest way i can save my important files and photos in to a usb port or cd, so it won't infect a new laptop when I get it.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Put the files that you want to save into a new folder, scan the folder with an antivirus, also download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:

http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Ant...

Download, install, update and select Full Scan.

Remove all infections that it finds after scan.

Spybot S&D:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/downl...

Download, install, update and Immunize, turn off Tea Timer then click 'Check for problems' then when complete select all and then 'Fix Checked'

Then burn your files to CD, before installing them onto a new machine again ensure that you have antivirus and antispyware programs to scan the CD before transferring the files.

Answer 2

I would recommend using a CD to save your files. However, if you save your files without getting rid of the virus, they'll still be there forever, even after backing them up. It seems that your have a Spyware. One that infects your computer and then appears on the screen and tells you that your computer is infected, and asks to buy some kind of a fake software to fix it. I would suggest to Back Up your files to a USB Flash Memory and then check it with an antivirus into another computer. However, you'll still be at risk of infecting the computer. After you clean the infected files back them up in a DVD or CD. So in conclusion I guess the best option is to find what kind of spyware you got and get rid of it before backing up anyfiles. Backing up the files won't save them of any infection.

Answer 3

To clean up that laptop, download, install and run CCleaner  to clean up old temp files.

http://www.ccleaner.com   [Free]

Restart your PC in safe mode with networking

http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.s...

Download, install and run a full scan with Malwarebytes

http://www.malwarebytes.org

Run a full scan with Micro Trend House Call

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

After the scans, restart the PC and update your anti-virus, remember to only have one anti-virus installed on your PC

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-...  [Free, if you do not have one]