Despite what BreezyDog suggests, do NOT turn off your firewall and virus protection software! If you want to go this route, then first reach around behind and UNPLUG from the internet, then turn off those protections and reboot. Do not replug until you have your firewall and virus protection back in place.
Then tonight, before you to bed, be sure to check the lock on each door and window in your house at least 10 times. And whatever you do, don't go near any vehicle; especially cars, trucks, boats, trains or planes. You just never know.
Seriously, disabling protective software for a short time while you investigate performance issues is highly unlikely to get you infected. It may allow currently existing malware to phone home, but if the malware was already able to get itself installed, and is responsible for your current problem, your protective software isn't worth much anyway. Anti-virus software and firewalls aren't the best way to keep your computer infection free. Keeping kids away from your computer is.