Any computer geniuses here? Help!

@Marcola (2774)
United States
February 28, 2009 11:06am CST
Yeah, so this stupid Anti-Virus 360 automatically installed itself on my computer today. I guess it's what you call a rogue anti-virus program that infects your computer and tries to get you to buy their so-called product because your computer is supposedly "infected." It's preventing me from visiting several different sites on the net, which it claims are unsafe, and I know that's a bunch of B.S! (Youtube is a dangerous site?!) Anyway, has anyone here had any personal experience with this scam and how do I get it off my computer? I don't need to purchase anything to remove this garbage, do I?
3 responses
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
28 Feb 09
Here is a page that gives instructions on how to remove Anti-virus 360 (which is a spyware package): http://www.spywareremove.com/removeAntivirus360.html I hope that helps!
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
28 Feb 09
Of course, it is strongly promoting a piece of software that makes it easy (or so they say) but it DOES give instructions which do work. The part which you need to take care with is the part that deals with editing the registry. Provided you follow the instructions to the letter, nothing will go wrong. It is a very wise precaution, though, to back up the registry (or create a restore point) before you do anything. It's a pity they don't mention that!
Marcola
@Marcola (2774)
• United States
1 Mar 09
Thanks for the link. I've been trying to get rid of this stupid thing pretty much all day yesterday. I've actually tried doing those steps but my computer apparently is having a hard time detecting it, but I know it's still on here.
Marcola
@Marcola (2774)
• United States
2 Mar 09
Well, I just went ahead and did a system restore, so I hope that's the end of it. I do recall being duped into installing the stupid thing. Well, I guess my computer is fine now...hopefully it stays that way. Thanks!
Khanana
@Khanana (78)
•
2 Mar 09
Please feel free to visit a website with plenty of tips that hopefully you will find very helpful. This special address will send you to a page with tips to use without spending any money. www.khanana.com/computer/6_essential_steps_to_protect_your_computer_on_the_internet_for_free If you already solved yous PC problem, that's great news!
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
3 Mar 09
Seems a very comprehensive resource, Khanana. Unfortunately, the link you gave above doesn't work (on my machine). Here is the correct link: http://www.khanana.com/computer/6_essential_steps_to_protect_your_computer_on_the_internet_for_free.html (I guess that you had to type it in and it seems that you left off .html ... very easy to do!)
Marcola
@Marcola (2774)
• United States
2 Mar 09
Thanks for the link. I went ahead and did a system restore, so my computer seems ok now. If not, I know where to look.
xiaouie15
@xiaouie15 (289)
• Philippines
14 Mar 09
It's a scam. Even if you purchase their license or say full version, nothing will be removed. Use malwarebytes' anti-malware instead. Also try AVG, Bitdefender and SuperAntispyware. You can also use XoftSpy for scanning only. XoftSpy can only remove all its detected threats once you have acquired a license key. You may also try Trend Micro's Housecall.