I accidentally install the personal antivirus thinking that it was from my real virus protection and instead installed this mess of a program that's totally ruining my computer. It won't give me the option of uninstalling it either. I have looked at websites trying to get rid of it and I just keep getting the same one and it doesn't help at all. Does anyone know what I can do? My mom is going to be pissed when all these pop ups about viruses that don't even exist keep popping up 24/7. And, it won't let me on a bunch of websites either. Ahh! Help please, asap!!!!!! Thanks!!!
Related posts:
7 responses so far ↓
1 D // May 6, 2009
nipples
2 knowguy // May 6, 2009
You can run antivirus and antispyware programs, but the sad fact is if you have found one virus on your computer, you probably have several. Cleaning the computer now requires you to follow these steps, because modern viruses and spyware entrench themselves in files that your computer needs in order to run:
1. Virus-check your data files (not application files– you have installer CDs for those).
2. Back up the data files, getting them off your hard drive.
3. Get your original operating system CDs that came with your computer.
4. Boot your computer from the operating system CD.
5. Select the option that erases your hard drive and then reinstall your system software.
6. Turn on your software firewall that came with your operating system.
7. Reconnect to the internet, and download *all* Windows updates, no matter how long it takes.
8. Reinstall your application software, and update the applications as much as you can.
9. Reinstall your data files.
10. Create a limited user account on your system that does *not* have administrator access, and web surf only from this account.
Yes, this is a pain in the butt. No, there is no other way. No, antivirus and antispyware programs cannot fix this problem on its own.
So, what do you do in the future?
1. Never click on links you find in an e-mail.
2. Never open an e-mail attachment, ever.
3. Only download files from a reputable website that you know is on the up-and-up.
4. Never use bit-torrent and other file-sharing programs.
5. Never use an unsolicited drive-checking site.
6. Turn off all java and java scripting by default, and only enable java and java scripting for sites that you know you can trust.
7. Never read an unsolicited e-mail, and delete spam immediately. It is possible to be hacked by reading an e-mail alone.
Please adhere to the 'dont's' I provided above, because you will have to repeat the cleaning steps that I listed first *every time you get infected.* Anti-spyware and anti-virus programs are good to have, but they are a second line of defense. The best way to protect your system is you, and changing your behavior.
Good luck!
3 Shawn M // May 6, 2009
Removal Instructions can be found @ http://www.shawnstechspot.com/2009/04/personal-antivirus-removal-instructions/
4 Willy // May 6, 2009
Use Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Removal instructions here:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-personal-antivirus
5 cotojo // May 6, 2009
It's malware which antivirus programs will NOT remove. You don't 'uninstall' it, you remove it….permanently.
Two programs, both free, download, install, update:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Select Full Scan.
Remove all infections that it finds after scan.
SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition:
http://www.superantispyware.com/downloadfile.html?productid=SUPERANTISPYWAREFREE
Select Scan your Computer, select your drive and select Perform Complete Scan and remove infections
6 NiNja 322619 // May 6, 2009
Try REVO Uninstaller. If there is a shortcut to it (the "Personal Antivirus") click "Hunter Mode" on REVO and point it at the shortcut. Run the highest scanning mode on REVO and work with it. The program itself is pretty straightforward and helped me through a couple of programs with broken uninstallers. I'm pretty sure its on Cnet…ah. Here it is.
http://download.cnet.com/Revo-Uninstaller/3000-2096-10687648.html?part=dl-RevoUnins&subj=uo&tag=button
7 Bass Computers // May 6, 2009
Many viruses today try to interfere with the downloading of windows security updates and the installation of antivirus and antimalware software. They are designed to interfere with the internet connection. They can block updates, thus making the antimalware or antivirus software almost useless. Some of the viruses are so sophisticated that they can render the new software ineffective during the download and installation process, before you ever get a chance to run the first scan. Some malware programs can manipulate and control your computer so that nothing works the way it is supposed to work, and it makes the virus or malicious software very difficult to remove. More malware can download onto your computer while you are running scans to remove it!
Spyware Doctor will remove it. A free version of the Doctor and tutorial on how to use it at http://antivirus-software.tech.officelive.com/spyware_doctor.aspx
Leave a Comment