Have I got a Virus? - 2 windows opening when I click

[learntojive]

I have a fairly new laptop, decent spec with not much on it yet except office, a few piccies and the internet.
Been absolutely fine but now suddenly keeps freezing when I'm scrolling or typing, it's going slow, and when I click to open a new window another opens in front for debt collection (full screen) or like a search results page.
My daughter goes on msn quite a lot, and the other thing I can think of is last night we briefly disabled the pop up stopper just to open something and then straight away activated it again.
I did a Norton scan straight away but it didn't find anything but something has definitely gone wrong.
I'm just about to put my Vista upgrade on so I want to sort it out before I do that. Thanks

[fo3nix]

Firstly, Vista is worse than a virus. Don't do it unless you have to.

Secondly, take Norton off and get AVG. You'll also want to use firefox for browsing instead of IE, as the popup blocker is built-in and much better.

1) remove norton
2) free AVG
3) free zonealarm firewall
4) adaware personal anti-spyware

Then do a full scan of AVG and adaware, and see if either pick anything up.

[learntojive]

Thanks very much for that advice, I did try AVG once but went back to Norton when I got the new laptop at Christmas (can't just remember why now as it cost me �40)
The pop up screens seem to be getting more frequent ...casinos, loans etc etc you know.
Don't you think I should put the Vista on then??

[Ethel]

Do not install Vista - at least until you have your current problems sorted .

I agree with everything fo3nix has said - especially about Norton.

In addition, download and run ASquared - another free programme. You can download the free version here:

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

[learntojive]

Thanks I've done that.
I did a search on Vista on here after reading fo3nix's comments, doesn't sound good at all.

Thanks again

[macspeedy]

hi your problem seems to be sorted pop ups are annoying i found the best bit of free software to rid you of any internet cack was spybot google it you wont be sorry,,,, oh by the way vista is rubbish looks pretty but its a pain wait a few months for the service pack before you even attempt it i got vista ultimate tried it for a week and pulled my hair out !!! got its plusses but xp is the baby !

[learntojive]

Hi macspeedy, problem not sorted at all ...far from it :o(
I've done the various scans and downloads and the pop ups are still there, I'm tearing my hair out.
Everytime I click I get a new window for casino, loans etc and now there's a warning saying I've looked at over 600 adult sites (which I certainly haven't!!) It looks like a genuine internet explorer window with the blue header but the wording is strange saying my family life and my job could be at risk so it's suspicious.
I'm thinking of completely wiping the pc and starting again but that's such a headache in itself having to reload everything and sort out the wireless thing again - and I don't even know if that would sort it.
I'll have a look at the spybot and try that thanks

[fo3nix]

you've done the things I suggested above?

If so, try using firefox instead of internet explorer (it has a good popup blocker built-in):

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox

[Paulst30]

My guess is that its windows messaging service, it gets exploited sometimes and is used for adverts, if your pc is left on all night you wake in the morning to many many pop up screens.

If this is the case do this.

click start>run>type services.msc and scroll down till you see messenger double click it and stop the service then disable it from running.

Restart the pc and it wont come back, clear your temp internet files folder and run an Ad-Aware scan to get rid of cookies.

Hope that helps if it is indeed the problem, doesnt hurt to do it anyway.

[learntojive]

Hi fo3nix, I didn't swap from Norton to AVG because I've just bought the Norton.
I tried the other things as well as an AVG spyware scan and a couple of others friends have suggested.
They all found and quarantined medium and low risk threats but the main problem is still there.
I've identified one as www.amaena.com/securityworm58. When i googled it there's loads of forums saying how to get rid of it but it looks so complicated and I just don't know now which programmes and removal tools are safe to use.

[learntojive]

Thanks Paul, I'll give it a go