General Question

music_03's avatar

Is a personal anti virus a scam and if so how do i get rid of it?

Asked by music_03 (70points) August 8th, 2009

A few hours ago a pop up appeared on my computer, it then scanned my computer and claims i have 41 viruses and that to get rid of them I need to pay 50 dollars. I then closed out of it and now its in my start menu and pops up every few minutes claiming all the viruses I have and how my computer will be ruined. Can someone please help me

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9 Answers

atrpops's avatar

Download AVG anti-virus (free) and ad-aware antispyware (also free). Install and run scans by both. They’ll be able to identify (and hopefully fix) your problem. If they can’t fix it, it’s nothing a quick google search can’t tell you how to do manually.

Sarcasm's avatar

I don’t have any personal experience with it, but a quick google suggests that it is a scam.
I’d suggest following instructions here to remove it, as well as downloading the 2 programs @atrpops suggested.

InspecterJones's avatar

Download

Install

Scan

Be Happy

PerryDolia's avatar

Second wht InspecterJones said: use his link to get Malware Bytes.

filmfann's avatar

That virus got on my sister’s computer. It is an evil little bitch (the virus, not my sister). Yes, it is a scam to get you to pay to remove the virus. My sister had to take it into a shop to have it removed.
It came from clicking on an advertisement.

aprilsimnel's avatar

Malwarebytes’ll kill that sucker dead for free.

dynamicduo's avatar

Yes, anything that “finds” a problem and magically has the “solution” to sell you is a scam. Hands down.

Donwload these free programs and run them to clean out your system (google for the links):
AVG Antivirus (though I have uninstalled it since it is a bit of a resource hog and annoying at times, it does the job of cleaning up great, and you can reinstall it anytime)
Ad-Aware, and Spybot Search and Destroy. Both of these will help remove grubby little ad programs and other things. Do both because in my experience each tend to miss a few, but both together catch most!

sandystrachan's avatar

AVG and malwarebytes rogue remover FREE will destroy anything . Tho you may have to use something else , i had similar problem a while back for the life of me ican’t remember what i used .
Antivirus wouldn’t work and i couldn’t install any antivirus , i will look for the thing i used and post it here later.

Carmen65's avatar

the same thing happen to me today and I can not get into my internet. How can I get rid off the virus?

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