Expert: Carolyn Meinel - 4/17/2008

Question
A security alert balloon keeps popping up, telling me that my computer has been infected with the last version of PSW.x-Vir Trojan. How can I get rid of this, and if I need an anti-spyware program, can you please tell me the name of a legit one that's not going to infect my computer even worse?/

Answer
You were wise to be careful about that security balloom. If this is the same version of the Zlob.N Trojan that warns about "PSW.x-Vir" that many other people have been getting, the popup had buttons to click to purchase anti-spyware or anti-virus products. Those products are phony and the whole thing a criminal scheme to take your money. So congratulations of not letting the criminals trick you.

The Symantec website (they provide the Norton security products) has an excellent description of Zlob.N at http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2007-050812-3659-99&...

They have instructions for removal at http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2007-050812-3659-99&...

For removing viruses and spyware, McAfee, Kapersky, Norton and  F-Secure all are excellent. Be sure to get their complete Internet security suites instead of just antivirus. You can get a free one month trial of F-Secure's product at https://store.f-secure.com/cgi-bin/dlreg/ml=EN?ID=FSISTB&desid=TRIAL
Personally I use Norton, but I also use one of F-Secure's secure communications products, and am impressed by their service.