Expert: Carolyn Meinel - 4/24/2011

Question
Hello,
I have this XP Security alert virus that seems like it won't go away even after SuperAntiSpyware deletes it. The first time I got it, it seems as if it has deleted all my programs or are hiding them. For instance when I go to Start and click on my programs all I have is Mozilla and SuperAntiSpyware nothing else. I even had to re-download Mozilla. And I can't download Malwarebytes I don't know why. So my first question is did the virus really delete my programs or are they hidden somewhere, but I did watch a video with Windows Media Player and didn't have to download that again so I'm thinking my programs maybe hidden, but I'm not sure? Also My Windows Security Alerts keeps saying I have automatic updates turned off, but when I go to the Control Panel they are on. Any help and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
SuperAntiSpyware does not remove viruses or worms. It just removes spyware. Programs that are called "spyware" do not normally do the terrible things you are seeing on your computer. Instead, they help advertisers target your computer with ads for their products that might appeal to you by spying on your web browsing habits. See http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/spyware.html for a complete definition.

From what you describe, your computer is infected with a virus, worm or a non-spyware Trojan. You need a complete Internet security suite to have any hope of fixing your computer. You can download either Kapersky Internet Security, which offers a free 30 day trial at http://kapersky.com or F-Secure's Complete Internet security suite, which offers a free thirty day trial: https://store.f-secure.com/cgi-bin/dlreg/ml=EN?ID=FSISTB&desid=TRIAL.

Just install one or the other. If you install both they might fight each other and crash your computer.

If neither of these fix your computer, please let me know and we can explore some other ways to fix it.

I don't advise using a free antivirus program or any free security programs because almost everyone who contacts me has been using free security software instead of paying for better quality protection. I use Symantec plus Zone Alarm for a firewall and have not had a problem while using them.