Posted on 04/16/2010 10:14:36 AM PDT by big black dog
From somewhere, this horrible rogue "antivirus" software called XP Smart Security is managing to install itself. It completely takes over my system and won't let me do anything while constantly displaying messages that I should purchase their scam product to clean up my computer.
The only way I can get rid of it is to completely wipe out my hard drive and then reinstall the operating system. However, even after I do this, I can't access the "add or remove programs" section in the control panel.
And a few days later, this scam software shows up again and I have to go through the process all over again.
I have Norton antivirus but this crap keeps getting through anyway.
This is driving me nuts.
That’s weird.
;)
bump
Don’t log in.
Do a search for Mike Linns start up utility.
I have used it to get these things turned off.
He has not updated it in a few years, but I used to
use it all the time.
Yes, these things are a bugger, and I would spend hours getting them off customers computers.
This may help:
www.SmartSecurityRemoval.com
Do a search for Mike Linns start up utility.
I have used it to get these things turned off.
He has not updated it in a few years, but I used to
use it all the time.
Yes, these things are a bugger, and I would spend hours getting them off customers computers.
Go online and download Malwarebytes AntiMalware software. I had this same type of rogue anti-virus on my computer and my computer guy downloaded this software and got rid of it completely. I use Spyware Doctor anti-virus software and it got past that as well. Good luck!
Kaspersky 2010 does a good job keeping my systems clean
(Win 7 w/ all updates)
I start with this. Mike Lin, not Linn btw.
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
Nuke it from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure...
Google “XP Smart Security Virus” and there will be a list of sites that can help you remove it for free. I had the same problem last year (I think they called the program by a different name) and it took me a couple tries.
I feel for you in this - it’s a complete pain in the neck.
I'm sure other people will have more in depth ideas, but I'd fall back to a restore point as my first approach.
I would like to get my big grubby mitts around the necks of the folks who write these programs.
You have a rootkit. I am getting better at killing them, but they invariably take about 1 - 2 days to remove.
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