Computer problems....need some help here

[cheapcherokee93]

so after a couple years of running our toshiba laptop without any anti virus or anti malware protection (with the exception of the free trail) it got some malware, trojan horse deal. its some thing called HDD fix that claims your computer has a bunch of problems and wants you to buy the "full" version to fix these so called problems. did some research on it and it seems like the only way to get rid of it is to do a full system restore (erase everything and start fresh) or buy an anti-malware software that can remove it. i have an external hard drive and was thinking about backing it up and just doing the system restore, but i cant seem to find the restore disk anywhere so it looks like its time for plan B (unless someone has a 32 bit restore disk they'd let me borrow ). so i've been researching anti malware software and cant seem to figure out what's good and whats not. So what would you all recommend? i guess while we're at it we might as well get an anti virus software as well, so any recomendations for that too?

thanks for any help

EDIT: I guess i didnt mention this but if it helps its running Vista SP2 32 bit

 

[seigeXJ90]

Or put a Linux OS on it.

run two things.. microsoft security essentials (free anti-virus from msoft) and mrt.exe full scan (microsoft malicious software removal tool which is already on your PC (start then run then mrt.exe press enter)) .. if that doesn't work.. get a program called HiJackThis ... hit "Scan and save log" and send it to me and i'll tell you what to remove.. all those are free...

 

[jcnoble]

Or put a Linux OS on it.

 

[cheapcherokee93]

run two things.. microsoft security essentials (free anti-virus from msoft) and mrt.exe full scan (microsoft malicious software removal tool which is already on your PC (start then run then mrt.exe press enter)) .. if that doesn't work.. get a program called HiJackThis ... hit "Scan and save log" and send it to me and i'll tell you what to remove.. all those are free...

Guess i'll give this a try.

 

[seigeXJ90]

Or put a Linux OS on it.

baby steps

 

[cheapcherokee93]

well so far so good. doing a full scan on both of them and MS security essentials has already found and cleaned 2 risks and now i dont get the stupid fake pop up warnings every 5 seconds.

 

[ocean_jet]

I've had great luck with Avast! anti-virus. It's free for home use.

Been running it for about 5 year and never had a problem.

 

[David_Bricker]

AdAware is also a free program that can help reduce Adware and Malware. I've used it for quite a few years.

David Bricker / SYR

 

[Papercut]

Malwarebytes Is free and what I always use.

 

[TheCaptain]

+1 for Malwarebytes Anti Malware... google MBAM

 

[JeepCherokeeGuy99]

Malwarebytes.org

Its the best freeware for malware removal you can find. You should also download AVG 2011. That way, you'll have virus protection constantly protecting your system. In the event a virus slips by, you malwarebytes to remove it. Good luck!

 

[TheCaptain]

MS Security Essentials > AVG for free anti-virus software

 

[jeeperjohn]

I use ESET Nod 32. It is a great program and is the highest rated by some computer magazines.

 

[Four2score]

I use ESET Nod 32. It is a great program and is the highest rated by some computer magazines.

+1

ESET is very good! Stops you from getting hit in the first place.

 

[saki669]

Look up a program called combofix
Its free and quite amazing for fixing the nasty malware that takes over your PC. I fix plenty of computers and have found this program to be very beneficial!

 

[01erionracing]

Malwarebytes Is free and what I always use.

Another vote for Malwarebytes.

 

[cheapcherokee93]

well the MS security essentials was able to clean everything up with a full scan and the computer is now running back to normal. Should i download Malwarebytes anyways or will MS security essentials do the same thing?

 

[Yamadevil]

Malwarebytes and Nod32 best things i have ran in years

 

[TheCaptain]

well the MS security essentials was able to clean everything up with a full scan and the computer is now running back to normal. Should i download Malwarebytes anyways or will MS security essentials do the same thing?

As a precaution, i would download MBAM and run a full scan, it can pick up remnants that were left behind by MSE.

P.S. I used to recommend NOD32 to all my clients, it was the best AV for several years. But, since version 4, it has become bloated and a resource hog.

 

[trevanator]

Just my two cents but imo the best anti virus software out there for free that you can easily download and runs scans everyday its simple all that junk is avg free. once you get your computer running back to normal I would recommend installing avg free to your computer it will help keep any viruses etc from getting in