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About Doug Woodall
Expertise
I can answer questions pertaining to threats to Online Security. I cant answer questions as to when, if ever IE will ever be secure.

Experience
I have 15 years of experience learning the intricaticies of online safety. I have a online business where I provide inofrmation and recommend products to combat online threats.

Organizations
International Webmasters Association.

Publications
Ezine Articles, Zinos, Article City, NewsVine, Info World, Jogena, Article99, Epinions, Bestezines, ect

Education/Credentials
Self taught

Awards and Honors
My articles have earned me Trusted Author Status at ImpactArticles.com. Also My Website is recognized by Learning Fountain and ISafe.

You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Internet/Network Security > Computer Security & Viruses > virus may be blocking access to anti-virus software

Computer Security & Viruses - virus may be blocking access to anti-virus software

Expert: Doug Woodall - 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.

ANSWER: Hello Simon,
Have you done any MS updates lately?
Are you using IE? Its possible a update changed the settings on IE.
Go to Add/Remove programs and see if the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security component is installed.
If so, uninstall it and see if the problem is gone.
What problem did your AntiVirus remove?
How are you connecting to the Internet?

Let me know.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: done MS update today. yes IE. internet explorer enhanced security component not on add/remove programs unless its titled other than you spelled it.

I went to a website that offered to let me watch a movie online free and when I pressed play on the static vid screen there was an immediate reaction. I went to super-anti spyware to find it and there were 23 discoveries and half of those were described as critical, trojans, redirects, malicious adware. they all seemed to have the same signature. the super-anti spyware said it removed them but then after shutting the progam off I couldnt re-access it, thats where the - windows cannot access the specified device, path or file - comes from. now I cannot even start windows security center. I dont remember what site I went too but I have a list of about 20 titles most ending with .com, would that help to know if I sent you the list? isnt there someone online that polices this kind of thing like microsoft or somebody to deal with these people legally?

Answer
Hello again Simon,
Its hard to know exactly whats wrong without a diag prog like Hijack This for example.
I suggest you head over to MajorGeeks help Forum and use their removal guide. You may have to register for the Forum to upload your analysis results to them.
They are great people there and will help you.
Heres the link.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Hope this helps.

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