What on Earth is Antivirus XP 2008 and why is it on my computer?

Question

A few minutes ago, a program called Antivirus XP 2008 popped up on my laptop screen and I don't remember even registering for it. The icon for Antivirus is now alongside my desktop icons and it keeps sending me little messages and pop-ups called Resident Shields claiming that I have 2951 viruses on my laptop and they are all harmful and do I want to disinfect them. My father recently installed and updated my antivirus software called AVG protection or something and I am unable to differentiate between the protection messages coming from Antivirus XP 2008 and my own AVG 8.0 protection? How did I obtain this so-called Antivirus XP 2008, why did I obtain it and how can I destroy it? I did a little research before asking this question and some people claimed that it is actually a virus itself, claiming to be a virus healer. I'm so worried because I have hundreds of passwords and credit card details (belonging to my parents, from sites such as eBay) on this laptop and if something starts going wrong I'll have no idea what to do, and I'll get the blame!

Every few minutes, windows keep popping up saying that a harmful virus has been detected and do I want to ignore it, send it to a vault, heal it, heal it as a Power User (?) or do I need help. I'm completely useless with all of this computer and virus stuff and need some expert help. Does anybody know what on earth this is all about? Please help!

Answer 1

you may have accidentally downloaded it by clicking on a link or from limewire etc; first thing to do is not sign up to it as it is a rogue antimalware product giving you false alerts.

To get rid of it, download malwarebytes antimalware tool - free for home use and run a scan

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Hopefully that should remove it; to be safe, my advice is also to download Superantispyware - free here

http://www.filehippo.com/download_supera...

get the updates and then run a FULL scan - it can take ages but is well worth doing; you may well be infected with something else

make sure your Windows Updates are current; make sure your firewall is turned on; consider using Firefox if you are using Internet Explorer.

Answer 2

This is a very NASTY and destructive virus.  Do not click on it any more.  I had it on my machine.  Do not believe any of the numbers involved with the virus.  I had to wipe my computer clean to get rid of it.  I went to the following site and followed step-by-step instructions. It did help, but I had clicked on it too many times, and it had infected my browser so I could not get rid of it all.  

  One thing you can try to do on your own, is to go to the control panel, add/remove programs, and remove the program.  I was not able to do this because the virus locked down my control panel and did not permit me to do this.  I know that you want step by step directions, but seriously, you are better off following this link if you are still able to and or take it to one of the computer stores and pay to have it cleaned.  I spent over a week trying to get it fixed by myself, and realized I would have been better off having someone with expertise repair it.  It is a HORRID virus.  

Good luck.

Answer 3

here is a video that shows how to remove antivirus xp 2008

Answer 4

You can install CLAMWIN, which will not conflict with existing anti-virus.

ClamWin is a Free Antivirus for Microsoft Windows

that uses the GNU General Public License by the Free Software

Foundation and is free (as in freedom) software.

There is a portable version of ClamWin where it can be install into an USB pendrive as small as 64 MB.

First use another PC to download Clamwin portable anti-virus

and install Clamwin portable on a USB thumb drive.

http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/c...

Update the latest anti-virus definition files.

Set the preferences to delete or move virus to a quarantine folder.

How to configure ClamWin

http://support.real-time.com/open-source...

When the USB pendrive is ready.

Boot up the infected PC in safe mode.

If possible, disable system restore on the infected PC.

Run the Clamwin Anti-virus that is installed on the USB drive to scan the infected PC.

Scan all hard drives for viruses.

Answer 5

go to control panel--->add or remove programs---->try to find Antivirus XP 2008 in the list and immediately uninstall

if you can't find it, try ending the process by either right clicking the icon in the process tray and finding an option "exit" or similar, or pressing control alt delete and finding it under the task manager processes.

If you can get the program uninstalled or at least stopped running, immediately update and run AVG to insure your computer is not infected (which it most likely is)

Answer 6

Go with zoomjets answer.

Antivirus XP 2008 is a rogue software program which will inform you that you have XXXX viruses, malware etc on your machine, when in fact, the real problem is Antivirus 2008 and its variations.  Apart from that you probably have a clean machine.

It is NOT a virus healer, it's a parasite and a dangerous one that antivirus programs do NOT remove as it contains malicious codecs.

The links provided by zoomjet are the best removal tools, which is why they are there.....to point you in the right direction to remove this pest.

These have worked in thousands of instances of this scumware, and it is one that we find ourselves constantly dealing with.

Because of the variations that Antivirus 2008 is coming up with, sometimes other tools are needed too, but they are all free.  We are simply trying to pass our knowledge of removing this to those that are infected.

Removal is simple, by downloading Malwarebytes AntiMalware.

Couple this with Spybot S&D and Spyware Doctor it should clear it completely off your machine.

Spybot S&D:

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

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

Spyware Doctor Free Basic Edition - Realtime monitoring:

http://pack.google.com/intl/en/pack_inst...

Its free with Google pack, untick all boxes except Spyware Doctor. Download install, update and run.

If your desktop has changed or icons are missing also use:

Wallpaper Hijacker Removal Tool:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Wallpaper_Hija...

Note: You should hit all "Repair" buttons even though it may not say "Found!" This will fix a wallpaper hijack everytime if all repair buttons are pressed.

EDIT:

You can use these programs which need to be downloaded, but you can also uninstall them after cleaning your machine.

AVG is no good at this sort of thing and is also a resource hog.

@NormanF - You are directing people to an unsafe site which is involved in the distribution of "rogue" security or other such applications.

http://hosts-file.net/?s=pcthreat.com

http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/www.pc...

Answer 7

I had the same problem the other day. Except it was called Antivirus 2009. It just suddenly started popping up. I knew it was a virus and not something from Microsoft, because we went to programs and it was not listed. So, I simply turned off the internet to stop receiving "updates" and then clicked it off (by deleting through branching). It worked, but I'm still going to see a computer dude to get some help with it.

Answer 8

orry but you do need a link. It is a rogue programme and is difficult to remove. The instructions are to be found here. Go to this link for instructions. http://www.xp-vista.com/spyware-removal/... Good luck.

Answer 9

I have just reloaded myself due to over 1.000 bugs which Im not so sure about except the computer was gettng very very slow.

i know microsoft do a update behind the scenes then ask you if you want to install them,then that leads to your computer neding to reboot really annoying some times.

I have a favourite site I go to to  check out virus's and trojan's

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/current-issue...

It really coprehensive and I have been stunned to see that I have had many of the email type ones mentioned.

It will show you whats what and whats not.

I also have Avast it does pick up virus's as they arrive its pretty good for  freebie.

Answer 10

Antivirus XP 2008 (or AntivirusXP2008, AntiVirXP08, AntivirusXP 2008) is a rogue antispyware program. This program is a clone of Xp Antivirus, XPAntivirus2008, Antivirus2008, Antivirus 2008. Or you can say that Antivirus XP 2008 is just XPAntivirus2008 by another name. Just like Xp Antivirus, Antivirus XP 2008 ..

delete listed files:

http://www.pcthreat.com/parasitebyid-695...