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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: James Filmer - 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: simon,
Do you currently have an anti-virus program running on your system? If so, what is it and is it up to date and working correctly? If not, how long have you been using your computer online without one?
Please check to make sure you have all Windows critical security updates installed successfully.
Go to Enrgy21.com and click on Superantispyware. Are you taken directly to Superantispyware.com or some other site?
Also, when does the error message "windows cannot access the specified device, path or file" appear and what system are you on?
And, the 70% number is not accurate. No one can say for sure how effective a reputable antispyware application is, but none will find 100% of all spyware (trojans, worms...). It's good to have more than one reputable program like Spybot S&D (free), Superantispyware (as long as it's not a fake knock-off), and Malwarebytes or Lavasoft Ad-ware, or a-squared, or Windows Defender and a few others as good as these.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: no anti-virus for 6 months, ( someone online said it doesnt do much good and uses up too much disc space ). windows critical security updates done. ( cant even open windows security center - had it turned off for some application I was doing a while back ). Enrgy21.com taken directly to super-anti spyware site. error message - windows cannot access the specified device, path or file when I try to open super-anti spyware or highjack this already on my computer to run a scan.
vista basic.
Answer
No anti-virus program running while you're on the Internet is a big mistake coming from very bad advice. Please list the programs you don't recognize in Add?Remove Programs.
Are you logged in as Administrator?
Consider not surfing a much as you normally do until you have an anti-virus program. On a lighter note, at least you have the critical security updates.
You could try this too: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308421
We need to be able to access your security programs and download/install an anti-virus application. How we go about that depends on the level of virus and spyware infection (can't tell yet), and if the error message is related to that (it may not be).
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