Security Shield Issues

[Chap7 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Chap7]

Hi, Can someone please help me. I have a new laptop and I keep getting a security shield pop up stating I have threats on a laptop. It is constantly showing pop ups, wanting me to register and pay $79.95 to remove the threats to the laptop. I installed microsoft essentials after the pop ups began and that can't get rid of it. I did run a full scan and it says I am fully protected. I am trying to install adaware and the security shield keeps blocking the install. How do I fix this problem? Can anyone help please?

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

That is a serious virus called Smitfraud - do not pay or it gets worse. You need a serious cleanup and may even require reformatting to rid your pc of it completely. There are other threads about how to try to get rid of it. It's not easy.

[Chap7 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Chap7]

Thanks John. At least I know what I'm dealing with now. My 11 year-old son just got the laptop for Christmas so there really isn't anything on there that I'd be afraid of losing. I just hope that this hasn't caused too much damage.

[billymach4 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close billymach4]

Craig,

There are so many $@#$@# virus issues out there. Really a royal PAIN!

If I take a look at the machine then I can help.

If you are not worried about any data on the machine the reformat the drive.
Should you reformat the machine and reinstall the OS, install antivirus software. Install the antivirus software before you connect to the net.

If you do maintain valuable data then you must backup the data like religion!

[gophish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close gophish]

Everyone is right, this is a nasty virus.
There are a couple of antivirus progs that have some success dealing with these.
Two of them are Malewarebytes Anti-maleware and Super Anti-Spyware.
Either of them could get rid of it tho you might have to run them in safe mode to accomplish this,
You can also reformat and reload the OS but then you also have to reload all your software and then you data, but it is a safe approach.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I'll fully agree with the Malware. The DW got it, I had to back the computer up to a restore point a day or two before the problem showed up, download some malware repair and cleanup programs and tell her not to do it again. She loves to play these stupid mind wasteing games online and then I am the one who has to spend hours fixing the problems.

[itchyfeet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close itchyfeet]

I had this nasty also. Could not get anything to come up. There is a website that gives you directions how to get rid of it. I found it thru an alternate computer but never got around to taking the time to work with it. The nasty disappeared after I hadn't used the computer for about three months. Havn't had a problem with it since.