needing help with virus scanners

[99shill]

Hi guys, i have a problem, im pretty sure i have avirus on the comp, and i have spybot search and destroy, which keeps on pickingup addware grrrr but everytime it says its fixed the problem i scan again and they show up again........ why isnt it getting rid of them?

also what is the best free virus scanner ? i have used avg free but im not sure as to how good that is....

any advice is welcome

thanks Steve

[whitetimer]

Hi Steve

Have you tried booting windows into safemode first and then run spybot ?  Not sure about anti-virus as i'm a Ubuntu used, so no need for antivirus or spyware protection sorry.

Julian

[Alex H]

If you think you have a current infection, then download and run MalwareBytes from - http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Follow that up by installing AVG anti virus free from - http://free.avg.com/gb-en/homepage.

For an anti spyware protection, download the latest version of either Spybot or Adaware.

[TomoRacing]

Also, Make sure you have Microsoft Security Essentials downloaded and updated. It's always handy to have.

Link :- http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

[lostinspace]

I use NOD32 (other packages are available  ) which can be found here http://www.eset.co.uk/ You can download a trial version free. For me it offers the best protection but with the smallest footprint and resource usage. Is it the best? Too many different packages around these days to know for sure, I've never had a problem though.

HijackThis is handy for seeing exactly what is running on your PC. You can also run MSCONFIG and disable any start-up programmes you don't recognise.

[Hoddlestone]

Disable system restore (it backs up viruses and spyware, etc... loading them again when turned back on, although this is less common nowadays but I still see it) (start> right click my computer, properties, system restore, turn off).

Avg and malware bytes up to date, boot into safe mode (keeping pressing f8 as its turning on), run those tools and remove any nasties. Boot into normal mode, all should be fine, if not download and run hijack this and post its logs here. I will review it and let you know (although if the nasties are still there after safe mode, recommend reinstalling).

[99shill]

ok guys many thanks, i will be sure to try these 

[Brucester]

I'm using Avast! on home pc at the moment, seems to be doing a reasonable job.

Not sure what I have on my laptop, think its Sophos or something (but don't know if thats free or not) - would check but the back light or somethings packed up on it lol

[zeus]

Removing the virus is only half the battle. You need to figure out were it came from and
what to do to prevent getting another one. I can only recommend following the excellent advice you got here.
But also to install a third party firewall. I use zonealarm free. Finally, going to and downloading from infected sites will
only get a repeat of your problems.

[99shill]

yeah, atm the problems solved, i believe i had downloaded an infected addon for rfactor since ive deleted it its been running fine thanks guys!!

[King of Spades]

I use AVG and have found it good enough.   If you're still unsure about its efficacy, though, you could try Kaspersky, whihc is also supposed to be very good.