Expert: Lorry - 10/24/2007

Question
Hello, I have somehow managed to get spyware on my computer. I have Norton antivirus software installed so im not sure exactly how this happened. The person I got the computer from had the firewall turned off?? Could that have caused it? Also one more question, it is causing my computer to run really slow and I keep getting alot of pop-ups, how do I get this off of my computer?? Thanks for your help.

Answer
Hi Michelle,

Yes, if the firewall is not on, anything could access computer. Zone Alarm, is a free firewall program that many people prefer over the one that comes with Windows XP, check it out at:

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,7228-page,1-c,downloads/description.ht...

I would suggest downloading Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.5, a program that removes spyware, available from:

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10743107.html?tag=lst-...

Check for updates before running. If you have trouble getting the updates, near the top of the Update Window, click the little arrow next See-Cure  #1(Europe), highlight the next one on the list, See-Cure #2 and try to download the updates. If that doesn't work, try the next one the list. until you get one you can download from. Being a free program, if too many people are using the same site to download the updates, some people will not get them.

Regarding NAV, make sure that it updated and you run a scan once a week.

Hope this helps!
Lorry