Computer/Web Browser issue

[justagirl]

I know there are some knowledgeable computer people on here, so I thought I'd ask for some opinions...

I've been having a horrible time with fake virus scanners popping up when searching the internet, usually when I hit the "back" button to go to a previously viewed page. Instead of going to the page some weird computer scan page pops up, trying to scan my computer. Last week, I actually received some sort of malware that crashed my computer - it downloaded some strange "virus scanner" that shut off my real protection and then systematically infected one file after another...there were tons of dialogue boxes popping up...I couldn't shut down the computer, not even using the task manager - I had to power down, which is not good. To make a long story short, my computer had to be completed cleaned and "wiped out" and then it was rebuilt by "ghosting" it from another computer.

I use my computer for some work-related things, which deal with very sensitive/privacy-protected information, and I have to use a secure connection to connect to my work's network (with a VPN). ***The need for high security is what caused the IT guys at work to just wipe out the hard drive - they didn't want to risk the malware hiding out in some file and becoming reactivated at some future time.

Now onto my point...and question...lol. A few people have told me that this problem is probably because of using Internet Explorer as my web browser and suggested FireFox or another browser. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Could IE and its security issues be what is causing this?

I'm getting these fake scan pages DAILY...and it is only a matter of time before another one takes over my computer again. It doesn't matter whether I'm connected to my employer's network or not...doesn't matter if I am using the VPN connection...there is no rhyme or reason to when it happens...it can happen at any time, on any type of webpage. I do have very good virus/malware protection that is required by my employer - in fact, they set up the computer to their specifications. I am allowed to use whatever web browser I prefer (I need to frequently look up information to complete the work I do). My computer uses Windows XP, if that info is needed.

Thanks for reading this, and thanks in advance for any suggestions anyone has. I want to try to prevent it from happening again...and the IT department at work doesn't seem too concerned about the issue.

~JAG

[mgmadara]

Now onto my point...and question...lol. A few people have told me that this problem is probably because of using Internet Explorer as my web browser and suggested FireFox or another browser. Does anyone have an opinion on this? Could IE and its security issues be what is causing this?

There isn't a lot of difference in security between Explorer and Firefox any longer. Firefox used to be safer simply because it didn't have as many users as Explorer so the virus writers were concentrating more on Explorer. Now there are more people using Firefox so the virus writers are targeting it as well. Firefox does have some helpful add-ons like McAfee Site Advisor, Web of Trust, and No Script.

I use free versions of Avira Antivir, and PC Tools Firewall, plus scan with Malewarebyte's Anti-Malware weekly. I mainly use Firefox with McAfee Site Advisor and No-Script and I rarely have any malware issues.

[WhatMoney]

I have occasionally got those pop up "virus scanner" boxes on risky web pages - the kind you should probably avoid anyway. Yes, they are viruses or malware trying to invade your computer. You know you cannot click cancel or the X on the box or browser, since that just activates them into continuing to load and spread.

Before hitting the power button you might try Crtl-Alt-Del on the keyboard, which should bring up the Windows security box, where you can try to run task manager and shut down the browser, or try to just shut down the computer.

The paid version of Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware program warns about the nasty pages and can sometimes stop the pop up boxes. I also run Avira real-time for viruses, and SpyBot with it's real-time browser protection. Both are free in their basic versions.

FireFox with the NoScript addon also can stop some of the nasty scripts. But the best thing if you get a pop-up box saying you have a virus, and it is NOT your internal virus protection, is to shut down the system as quickly as possible without any key or mouse clicks in the browser. A friend has a teenager who hasn't learned all the tricks yet - and he's always having to clean up her computer, even with the usual antivirus programs running.

[frogger]

You might want to try this too:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

This is an on-line virus scan by trend. It's good and it's free.

[AngelinaCatHub]

You are dealing with XPantivirus 200X or AntivirusXP 200x, or several of it's sub names. Same malware. It is not a virus per se, it is a program. Here is how it works and why your firewall cannot stop it. It is a false Windows looking dialogue box that is a pop-up of a bad boy web site. Install McAfee or Google's site advisers.

If you click on free scan button or close or even the X in the window, all three buttons are the same. You will get a fake virus scan telling you that you are really virused. Once you do start this program you have downloaded no less than 20 programs. If you find and remove all but one, when you reboot the one will re-spawn the others. It is near impossible to remove. I spent 8 hours on a customer's machine attempting to succeed. It is easier to re-image.

This program wants you to send $49 to fix your computer or for that matter holding your computer hostage. Once you send the money, they do nothing except laugh, steal your ID and yes a Trojan is installed as well as part of the program

Internet Explorer is weaker now than Firefox. DO NOT press the F1 key while using the Internet Explorer. It will open you to spam time. The major Windows fix due to come down this week does NOT fix this problem. MS is still working on a fix.

Stay away from Norton anti virus. It like AOL takes over your computer and causes problems. I like McAfee and have had great results. There are others that are free as "House Call" and are very good also.

Crash your machine to get rid of that fake pop up box or kill off with Task Manager. Sometimes Task Manager will not remove it and you cannot shut down because it is an open dialogue box. 'Hub

[WhatMoney]

DO NOT press the F1 key while using the Internet Explorer. It will open you to spam time

F1 just brings up the IE Help menu. Are you talking about web pages that capture all the keys including the F1 button as part of the malware script?

Crashing a system, as in hitting the hardware reset button or power switch usually does not require a disk restore operation. You may lose data from any programs running, but the disk check routine upon rebooting will usually check and isolate any damaged files. Those pop up boxes are nasty - and most anti-virus programs will not prevent them.