Trojan Horse Pop-Up Notice! Need advice from FReeper geeks! (Vanity)

[ru4liberty]

I don't currently have an antivirus program on my computer due to very tight finances. I've been holding my breath hoping that I wouldn't have an incident before I can afford to download or update an antivirus program.

I used to have Kaspersky, and lately it has been popping up with an alert that I have a Trojan horse. The local computer geek people recommended Kaspersky when they worked on my computer a few years ago, so that's why I was using it. Since then, they have worked on my friend's computer and told her that she didn't really need to pay for a program and that Avast was an excellent free program.

I need some (simply-worded) input as to what I should do. If I download Avast, will it take care of the Trojan horse problem? Are there other free programs that are better?

I am using a Dell desktop computer with Windows 7 Home Premium. My browser is IE 11.

[GraceG]

http://www.eset.com/us/

Download E-SET trial and run it, it is good AV

[Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America]

Malwarebytes.org

My favorite, but AVG.com and SuperAntiSpyware.com is good too.

[Dalberg-Acton]

Bingo! The best suggestion yet!

[Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America]

P.S. Do NOT do Internet searches for spyware removal tools. You might end up clicking on a link which is nothing but a malicious site that runs a deadly script or puts you into a malware spiral of death.

Always enter links recommended by known sources!

[dhs12345]

Microsoft Security Essentials is free and does a pretty good job. Norton is free through Comcast.

[gwgn02]

SuperAntiVirusSpyware is a great program as well

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

To each his own. I find “free” versions of anti virus programs worthless and are viruses unto themselves.

[Ingtar]

E-SET has been very good to me.

[onyx]

FYI

[softengine]

Agree w/Extremely Extreme Extremist (/sigh). Run Malwarebytes. But know that is only a start. Turn Java off in your browser. And get some AV protection!!

Know that malware is not just malware. There is a motivation, largely financial. As SaaS is, so is malware as a service (so to speak). Indeed, many exploit kits have rootkit capabilities, which means AV may not be able to remediate.

[ansel12]

You are terribly mistaken, perhaps you like the “suite” type programs which are all in one.

Another reason is that you might need or want a LOT of real time protection.

Most of my computing has been done on computers that are given to me or discarded because of being loaded with malware problems, and in about 20 years of that, I have never paid for a security program and my computers are clean, in fact my computer strength is in cleaning other people’s computers.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Get a mac.

[Mad Dawgg]

"I don't currently have an antivirus program on my computer due to very tight finances"

Why would you ever pay for one in the first place?

Microsoft Security Essentials Free

[RedMDer]

I recently found this and it helped me get rid of malware that Defender and McAfee and the free version of MalwareBytes missed. I think the culprit was vosteran virus.

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

[cqnc]

Fastest immediate answer: Power off. Startup pressing F8 every few seconds. Startup using the latest restore file. Then run, do not walk to bleepingcomputer.com and get JRT. add malwarebytes, do a full scan and get a good AV,

[Rebelbase]

Mafee used to be good, then he went off to Belize.

[cqnc]

re: get a mac...
I missed the part where he said ‘money is no object’...

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

Ditto. Avg is a resource hog and unreliable. It also conflicts with other stuff. Was a big avg fan for a wile, but all avast now. Free version works great.

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

Depending upon how you connect to the internet and after doing the previous suggestions of your choice, it would also be wise to consider getting a router with a built-in/programmed in software firewall.

[RedMDer]

Here's a special note from your friendly staff at Free Republic.
Every now and then we all have something strange happen and don't have any idea why.
Well, we have found the problem. There is a on every computer. It may disguise itself as any button. And it moves around. So, be very aware of this when strange things happen. Just forgetaboutit.
No worries. It will probably never happen again. (maybe).
Just kidding :)