Computer Gurus

Updated on November 08, 2010
D.S. asks from Katy, TX
8 answers

my computer is popping up a thing that says someone tried to hack my email and steal my identity. trying to sell me an antivirus software. I know spyware is a virus and am thinking this is too. how do I get the pop up to go away and how do I know if its a virus. I dont have the money to go to the computer shop. thanks

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So What Happened?

thanks guys it has quit doing it after following all of the advice I recieved

Featured Answers

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

If it's trying to sell you antivirus, close out the program you're using. We get this occasionally. It's just spam.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Hit the "esc" button.
It means "escape."
try that.

Do you have a MAC or PC computer?

YES it is a potential virus... do NOT click on it... at all.
Or just close your browser.
Or just turn off your computer...

Once you click something... sometimes it will activate it... and then a Trojan or virus will be employed onto your computer....

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I agree with the pp.....even if it says there ARE viruses detected, it's most likely spam.
Run whatever security software you have regularly (Norton, etc).

A.S.

answers from Detroit on

When your PC goes into the initial 'start-up' mode, hit F12. Arrow down to where it says to 'start in safe-mode'. You can then, do an actual virus scan. It's likely that someone hacked a 'cookie' and you must delete all cookies that may have been infected. I had that happen recently on my PC. I had a 'cookie' for American Pregnancy Association's site and saved it to my 'favorites'. I just had to delete that 'cookie' and run a scan to make sure there were no other issues/viruses... Those pop-ups stopped right after I deleted my history and 'cookies'.

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J.P.

answers from Austin on

If your computer is already popping up the message then you already have part of the virus on your computer otherwise it wouldn't be popping up unless you open up an email or surfing the internet. As others mentioned you need to run your virus scanner if that doesn't help then your only resort is to reflash your hard drive. Before you do anything, you might want to back up any files that you want to keep as your computer is already compromised.

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B.

answers from Augusta on

That is spyware.
If you have norton, run it, it should have anti spyware in it.
If not do a google search for adaware or spybot.
These are both very good free anti spyware programs. They will have to update.
To get rid of it disconnect from the internet, then close the windows they popped up , if it still trys to install or scan something close it really quickly , the way you'd close any window , with the little x , ( I'm assuming you have windows) .And stay away from the site you were on when it popped up.
Run both the spyware and anti-virus software after they are updated.
You should have a pop up blocker on what ever internet browser you are using , its usually under "tools." enable the pop up blocker so it doesn't happen again.

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N.K.

answers from Madison on

I got the same thing several weeks ago. You need to restart your computer in safe mode (as MechanicMama expained) and run an anti-malware program. What you've got is not technically a virus but called malware (same difference).
I used the Malwarebytes anti-malware, free version is enough to clean it.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

At the time I got it, the antivirus programs yet were not updated to clean this malware. The latest version may be able to clean it, I am not sure. If you prefer, try running the antivirus scan (in safe mode) and if it doesn't help, try the ani-malware.

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L.W.

answers from Dothan on

Hi D.,
Download and install the Malware Bytes anti-spyware program. There is a free version of the program at www.malwarebytes.org.
My best friend just had this same spyware on her computer last week & that's how I got rid of it for her. And yes, AntiVirus 2011 or 2010 whichever version is popping up is spyware/malware.
Hope this helps!
L.

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