Windows Security Alert

[Caroline]

Over the weekend I've been suffering a "Windows Security Alert" which pops up
periodically. I tells me that I have potential Spyware on my PC , and my PC
is making unauthorised copies of my PC and Internet files "and to do I want
to run a full scan (Yes/No ) . If I click YES it takes me to a
"TrustedAntivirus" Website which ,(you've guessed it ) I don't trust !
I panicked and downloaded Spy Doctor , which cost me £30 ( $60 to any
American friends ! ) and scanned my files. It came up with a few infections
which were quarantined , however is still got the Alert . So I scanned again
, and it found a few more files which were quarantined , but I still got the
Alert.
I then got to the Microsoft Download website and downloaded a scanning
routine , which I run and more infected files were found and deleted , but
still I get the Alert.
So the questions I have:
a) what is causing the Alert and is there a way to get rid of it ?
b) Is it taking me to a website which will download something even nastier !?
c) was SpyDoctor a waste of my hard earned cash , bearing in mind it didn't
do such a good job and I can get such things for free !?
d) had I better not do any on-line banking through a banking webite until I
can get it sorted ?
e) do I really have to wipe my PC clean ( having read through some of the
threads ) and is it easy for a "non systems" person like me to do or am I
better off leaving it to a professional

Hope somebody has all the answers ?!

 

[CdeBlue]

Try this.

Control panel - admin tools - services. look for "messenger" and
disable it.

This will not effect Windows messenger or any other IM's you may be using.

 

[Malke]

Try this.

Control panel - admin tools - services. look for "messenger" and
disable it.

This will not effect Windows messenger or any other IM's you may be using.

That absolutely will not help Caroline. She is infected with malware and
this has nothing to do with the messenger service.

(snippage)

Caroline, it was unnecessary to spend any money removing your infection.
It just takes time and patience and free tools.

Do the preparatory steps here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Then do the specific removal steps here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Smitfraud_Trojan -
Smitfraud, Spyaxe, Spyfalcon

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html

When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the first link above (not here, please).

Standard caveat: If the procedures look too complex - and there is no
shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a
professional computer repair shop (not your local version of
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may
be so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. Have all
your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.


Malke