Google browser problem

[pastafreak]

I just had Google Chrome open about 30 or more tabs ...this was spontaneous-with no prompting from me. My hands were not even on the keyboard.
This is not new-it used to happen on my laptop. The more I would attempt to close the windows-more open.
This time they seemed to close down pretty quickly-in the past I had to shut the laptop down and reboot.
Any ideas?

[Buenchico]

Some malware has found its way onto your computer.

First, run a full-virus scan. Then run a scan with an anti-malware program. If you've got a commercial security suite (such as Norton 360) you've probably already got the relevant software component. Alternatively try the free version of Ad-Aware:
http://www.lavasoft.c...cts/ad_aware_free.php
Spybot Search & Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
or the free version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

(That last program is generally regarded as the 'king' of anti-malware programs but there's no reason why you can't have all three programs on your computer as long as you only run one at a time).

Chris

[pastafreak]

I've just run AVG Free....should I try one of the ones you suggested also, Chris?

[NazNomad]

Definitely the Malwarebytes one, Pasta ...

[NazNomad]

Actually, I never saw it, but yes to the S&D as well.

[pastafreak]

Thanks,guys x

[Buenchico]

As Naz has effectively indicated (and my original post suggested) AVG Free is only an anti-virus program. It doesn't detect 'adware', 'spyware' and similar nasties. You should also have at least one anti-malware program on your computer. (Since such programs are run 'on demand', rather than 'in the background', you can have as many as you like).

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is the program most frequently recommended, both here on AB and in the technical press.

Chris

[pastafreak]

I've just installed both spybot and anti malware
Will I need to do periodic scans with them-and if so,how often?

[NazNomad]

I have malwarebytes running in the background constantly and run S&D once a month or so (or if I get a 'nasty').

[Buenchico]

Theoretically a once per week scan might be a good idea. However it's a bit like checking the oil and tyre pressures on your car. Everyone knows that you're meant to do it once per week but hardly anyone actually does it!
;-)

[NazNomad]

When I say 'running in the background', it starts with Windows and just sits there, else i'd forget about it.

[NazNomad]

If you're going off to cook for half an hour or something, run it ... can't do any harm

[pastafreak]

I just checked the Mal-warebytes...and it's running. I feel a bit more secure now.....lol

I think I opened a dodgy email today from and unknown sender,..... :-(...bad-I know

Anyway....things are moving a lot quicker now....thanks again to both of you for the advice

[Mobius1]

To clarify, you can have Malwarebytes run when you start your PC but real-time resident protection is only available in the paid for version. So, unless you are starting the program with the intention of running a scan, then all that having it running in the background is doing is taking up your memory and wasting CPU cycles.

Best thing to do is just run a quick scan once per week, and if it finds anything, run a full scan afterwards to be sure there's nothing else. More often than not (and hopefully) it won't find anything.