AboutLorry Expertise I can answer most questions regarding viruses/Trojans and help to remove them.
Experience This happens to be of interest to me as it boggles my mind that people have nothing better to do than to write a virus. Wish these people, the ones who write viruses would put the knowledge to good use instead. My job as a local tech involves removing viruses and/or spyware.
Question QUESTION: Hi Lorry, sorry to bother you but I saw your page and I'm desperate. I think my laptop has either a virus or spyware. I'm unable to update my symantec anti virus or my anti spyware program (spybot search & destroy). Everytime I try to search something related on google, it won't let me. I get to the upload page and then it says it can't connect to the server. I'm not sure what to do? Any help? Thank you! :)
ANSWER: Hi Tania,
With Internet Explorer opened, go to Tools, Delete Browsing History, in the next window click Delete Files, Delete Cookies, and Delete Files.
Close Internet Explorer. Even though you have Symantec installed, open Internet Explorer, and go to:
Click the GO button, then under Virus Detection, click Start. You might be told that you need to download and install ActiveX Controls for the scan to work, answer Yes.
Write down exactly anything it finds, then go to: http://www.symantec.com/search/ and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for removing manually. Make sure that you follow the instructions for removal, step by step, especially the part regarding disabling System Restore.
After removing the virus, you should be able to update Spybot and run a scan.
Hope this helps!
Lorry
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QUESTION: I've tried, but I still can't seem to open the link. I've deleted everything, but it won't let me. Every time time I try to open anything on the internet regarding anti spyware it says can't connect to the server. I've tried both with mozilla and internet explorer.
Help! Thanks :)
ANSWER: Hi Tania,
Start Windows in Safe Mode by tapping the "F8" key when Windows first starts. Run a scan using Spybot and then Symantec in Safe Mode.
Hope this helps!
Lorry
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QUESTION: Hi Lorry!
Grr. That didn't work either. I run both the Symantec and Spybot but not helped. The only thing Symantec uncovered is a tracing cookie which it deleted, and Spybot is not unearthing anything. I tried both the safe mode and safe mode with networking.
Help!
Thank you :)
Answer Hi Tania,
If you have access to another computer, try downloading the free version of AVG and then install and run it on your computer.
If that doesn't work, you might have to reformat and reinstall Windows. Have you tried using System Restore? Go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore and restore the computer to an earlier date when it was working correctly.
