virus remover

[ironmonger]

Can anyone tell me a free way to remove viruses
Thanks in advance

[VHG]

Do you mean remove them or find them?

Any specific virus?

And do you mean viruses, or maybe spyware and malware which are different things altogether?

To FIND viruses then you can install a free anti-virus product like Avast or AVG (only install ONE AV product).

If your AV tool finds a virus it may remove it, but some viruses require specific programs to remove them.

Once you identify the virus you can often download a program from the web to remove it.

Spyware and malware require a different type of product to find and remove them (like malwarebytes).

[ironmonger]

Many thanks VHG. I will study this.
Unfortinately I am 82 and it takes me a bit of time to wotk these things out

[VHG]

OK, I understand.

I am happy to take it slowly and try to give you help in easy to understand chunks.

My first question will be - why did you ask your question?

Have you got a virus, or did you read somewhere about them?

Or have you got a new PC and want to put virus security on it?

[ironmonger]

Thank you once again VHG.
The reason I asked is because the last time I had my PC serviced the engineer told me to clear the viruses out weekly. Unfortunately I forgot how to do it and as it costs me �39.50 to call him out I thought I would try AB to save the expense and it looks as though it has worked thanks to you.
Have a nice day

[The Cowboy]

Go to this website www.malwarebytes.org and download the free version and install. Take your time and you should have no problem. Hopefully this should catch ant virus 's you may have.

Cowboy,

[VHG]

Not sure "The Cowboy" is being that helpful.

Computers can suffer from viruses and spyware.

Some products find and fix viruses, others find a fix spyware.

Cowboy has pointed you to malwarebytes, but this is a product for fixing SPYWARE and NOT viruses.

While you should run malwarebytes, you also need to install and run an anti-virus product like AVG or Avast as well.

See my next append.

[VHG]

The first thing to do before you download and install ANY software is to see what security software you have already.

If you are running Windows XP or Vista then open the Windows Control Panel, then open the security centre.

It should look a bit like this (will vary depending on your version of Windows).

http://screenshots.leeindy.com/SecurityCenter/ security_center.gif

Now write down EXACTLY what security software it says you have installed, Firewall, Anti Virus and any other products.

When you have done that let me know.

[Androcles]

You're a star, VHG!

[ironmonger]

Thanks again VHG I have clicked on the site and this is what came up
Security Centre
Firewall. Zone alarm firewall is currently on

Automatic update . check settings

Virus protectiion. Not monitored

[VHG]

>Firewall. Zone alarm firewall is currently on

That is good, you have Zone Alarm firewall on.

[VHG]

>Automatic update . check settings

This is a bit worrying.

This is the setting for "Windows update" where Windows fixes are downloaded and installed.

It is VERY important to make sure the latest Windows files are download and installed.

If you DONT do this then you are leaving yourself open to attack.

Either set this to be automatic, or go to your browser windows or Windows Start menu and select Windows Update.

Download all the fixes it says to download.

This may take quite a while and may need to be done in three or four goes (with reboots in between).

[VHG]

>Virus protectiion. Not monitored

This is also a bit worrying.

It either means you have NOT got any anti virus software installed.

OR you HAVE got anti virus software installed, but you have told Windows not to bother to monitor it.

See if you can change the setting so you tell it to START monitoring your anti virus software.

Are you aware of having any anti virus software installed?

It may have come already installed when you bought the computer, and may be called Norton, Mcaffe, AVG, Avast or many other names.

Sorry this is getting a bit long and complicated but PC security is now a complex thing.

[ironmonger]

Hi VHG
I must apologize for the delay in answering but I have to attend hosptial 3 times a week and I never know when I will be on line.

Automatic settings
I have checked "Windows update"and all updates have now been uploaded. It also states updates are downloaded each day at 3pm

Anit Virus
I have checked and I find I have the AVG Anti Virus free edition installed and it states all features are working and up to date

Once again many thanks for all the help you have given me..

[ironmonger]

Hi VHG
I nust apologize for the delay in answering but I have to attend hospital 3 times a week and I never know when I will be on line

Automatic Settings
I have checked "Windows Update" and have downloaded all updates. It also states updates are downloaded each day at 3pm

Anti Virus
I now see I have AVG Anti Virus free edition installed and it says all features are working and up to date/

Once again many thanks for all the help you have given me

[ironmonger]

Email

[VHG]

Glad I could help.

As well as having AVG installed you also need to:

1) Make sure AVG downloads all the latest files each day.

2) Make sure AVG RUNS each day.

Having anti virus software on your PC but not running it is almost a waste of time.