I think I got a virus!

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Inquisitive Builder

Inquisitive Builder

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Jul 16, 2013
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Hey guys,

I was surfing the web, and found myself on photobucket.com where I saw a cool gif of lightning in slow motion. But when I clicked the link I got a pop saying it was from Micorsoft Security Essentials (my antivirus program) and saying something about that three viruses were trying to get into my computer and that I had to clean my computer immediately to avoid system breakage. However, in the bottom right corner I simultaneously got a pop up for MSE that said the system was secure.

So I decided not to click the window because I had heard that sometimes actually let's the virus in, and when I tried to leave the window Internet explorer was asking if I was sure I wanted to leave and that I needed to clean my computer. So I actually just shut the whole computer down, unplugged it from the Internet, and booted it back up, praying that everything was ok. I got back to the windows screen and everything looks fine, and but I noticed that under "quarantined items" there is a "Rogue.IS/FakeAlert" but I haven't done anything with that.

I ran a quick scan and everything came out ok, so I am currently running a full scan now with the Internet unplugged.
Is there anything else I should do, and should I do anything differently if this ever happens again?

Thanks
 
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manofchalk

manofchalk

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May 11, 2012
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Chances are it was an actual virus pretending to be your Anti-virus, in the hopes you would panic and pay them whatever to "fix" your machine.
Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, use something like Malwarebytes to scan your machine. If it comes up clean, I'm inclined to think your all right.
 
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Inquisitive Builder

Inquisitive Builder

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Jul 16, 2013
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Ok, I ran a full scan with MSE, and everything came out clean, and I removed that one virus it had in its history, but I still haven't hooked it up to the Internet yet. I'm probably going to turn it off until morning, but what else do you. Guys think I should do? Could you give me a link to that one you guys were suggesting? And is this to get off whatever MSE might have missed, or to protect me better in the future?

Also,will I need to use get MSE off for that new antivirus to work? I've never gotten much into antivirus stuff before, so could someone explain what all needs to be done?
 
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Inquisitive Builder

Inquisitive Builder

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Jul 16, 2013
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Ok then, I'll probably try out the free malware bytes tomorrow then. Is there any. Reason to use safemode with networking if the normal boot up is still working?

Also, should I bother doing anything after that, or would malware bytes be sufficient? I did a little research on my own, and found that PCmag says here that using Norton power eraser too would be extra safe since malware bytes isn't good against root kits (whatever those are). Here's what i read
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2391151,00.asp

What would you guys suggest? If the malware bytes comes out clean, am I good to go or should I do more?
 
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John Bauer

John Bauer

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Jul 16, 2013
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Don't use Norton, it may as well be a virus. It says it's anti-virus but it'll never be completely off your computer if you try to delete it.

Malwarebytes, MSE, and maybe Avast although you should be fine. But downloading the free version (of Avast) sends you to Cnet downloader, and be careful, it tries to install about 6 adware programs onto your computer. READ the Terms and conditions before you click, it might be adware.
 
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Inquisitive Builder

Inquisitive Builder

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Jul 16, 2013
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Oh wow, thanks for the heads up. Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if, since I shut down my computer before I clicked anything, if the viruses ever actually got on my computer or if I just had a close call. Since Avast is risky, would it be better to just download Malware Bytes from here, run it, and call my computer clean?
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Also, I noticed that they also use Cnet, so do I need to be careful with them too? And why don't antivirus companies keep their downloads cleaner than that?
 
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Inquisitive Builder

Inquisitive Builder

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Ok, I'm running malware bytes full scan right now, and I noticed that when I have the resource manager open (I was curious how much my cpu was working), it says that my cpu has 104% of the maximum frequency. Anyone know what that means and if it should be concerning?
 
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Inquisitive Builder

Inquisitive Builder

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Ok, I did the fullest scan on both and everything came out clean (hitman found one suspicious cookie, but I doubt that's much to worry about).

So I should just resume using my pc again right? And thanks for all your help guys!
 
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