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You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Internet/Network Security > Computer Security & Viruses > virus may be blocking access to anti-virus software
Expert: Lorry - 11/10/2009
Question
QUESTION: what is - windows cannot access the specified device, path or file - ? is this a trojan or virus that overrides any security diagnostic attempt? I used super-anti spyware to get rid of a problem that said it removed but I heard somewhere that these software programs only get around 70 percent of the problems. is someone accessing my computer hard-drive with all the info on it and it wont make any difference if I put valuable data on a USB flash drive? when I try to re-install an old software or install new anti-virus software ( free ) the download process is incomplete or aborted.
dell inspiron 1525 laptop / super-anti spyware software / windows basic firewall ( on ) / attempted to download malwarebytes ( didnt work ) / novice.
ANSWER: Hi Simon,
Not usually, it could be a simple thing as taking ownership of the file. Check out:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421
SuperAntiSpyware is a good program that removes spyware. Do you have an anti-virus program installed? Make sure to keep it up to date and run a scan once a week. In the meantime, using Internet Explorer, go to:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp
Click "Continue to Symantec Security Check", in the next window click No when asked if you want to close this window, that will bring you to a window where you should click Virus Detection.
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.
Hope this helps!
Lorry
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I get as far as the virus detection for symantec and install active X controls and it then says - waiting to download controls - but it never does. unless I have to wait longer than 10 minutes. it seems something is blocking any kind of virus detection system at all. tried taking the ownership of file from admin to my username and that didnt unlock super-anti spyware...anything else I could try?
Answer
Hi Simon,
When it gets to that point there will be a tan bar on the top saying something like the previous site might require an add-on, click on that to allow it to run, this might one or two times, allow it to run, once you see the dots moving around the computer, you will know that the scan is running.
Hope this helps!
Lorry
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