how do i get rid of viruses

[lucyshandbag]

my computer obviously has viruses as it is running really slow and keeps freezing. i have run a free scan with "stop scan" and it has picked up on about 7 viruses, but i don't want to have to pay to get rid of these viruses as i have just opened an account with norton and so will be paying them every month.  however, i have run a scan with norton and it is saying i don't have any viruses.  why is this and what can i do?

[adydb]

This may be spywares too so i'd suggest giving something like Ad-Aware a try

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

This is one of many that are free for personal use.

[johntheplamf]

Or try Spybot, i use it and never have any probs.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

[peanut]

I use Norton, Spybot and adaware se personal. I also use stinger. Between these 4  my computer runs smooth as a babys butt.

[stevie21]

Microsoft's AntiSpyware prog seems good too, and any techie's comments that I read online tend to encourage people to use "HijackThis" and Anti Trojan software. (And use a firewall, up to date antivirus prog, keep Windows Updates updated and stop using T' Internet Explorer)

There's loads of free software out there to fix this. Also, if you know the name of the virus you need rid of, search google for "remove virusName", obviously substituting the actual virus name there.
Often this'll give you instructions and a small program which will remove a particular virus.
e.g. for the "Blaster worm" : http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FixBlast.e xe

[mohsin75]

Norton AV isn't really the best application out anyway, and it because it is so common, a lot of new viruses actually attack and disable the Norton AV application, I've seen it on several viruses now, and it seems to be pretty easily done.  I've been using AVAST AV for over a year now, it's free for home use after registration, you get all the virus definition and program updates for free..

I would recommend that http://avast.com/

[Lolliemma]

ohhh good question was gonna ask it myself lol will give the answers a try thanx