Yeah, it was a lot easier back when I was a tech. Viruses came on floppies, and what was a trojan? :laugh:

So i downloaded all the software that samnavy recomended and none of them are free! the do the scan and then you have to buy it to clean it up? WTF now my computer is even slower cause i got all these programs running...What do i do?

Here are the links to download directly from CNET so you know they're legit. The reason you're being asked to pay is because you're not downloading the "Free" version. Almost all of these programs also have a "deluxe" or "expert" version for sale that has a few more bells&whistles than the Free one, and if you found these sites through a Google search, you undoubtedly went to a website selling the "executive" downloads.

Uninstall the programs you already downloaded, and use the links below for the Free versions. You'll see that almost all of these have literally millions of downloads each... AVG has NO SHIT 270,000,000 downloads. Apparently some of us need to get on the internet more.

MALWAREBYTES
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
**When this one is done scanning, the button to CLEAN/DELETE is on the left-side of the screen at the bottom. On the right side at the bottom, there is a "PURCHASE" button, pretty sneaky on the screen design... many people probably assume they need to buy it, just look on the other side of the screen.**

FREE RAM XP PRO
FreeRAM XP Pro - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

SUPER ANTISPYWARE FREE EDITION
SuperAntiSpyware Free Edition - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

AVAST
Avast Free Antivirus - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

ADVANCED SYSTEM CARE
Advanced SystemCare Free - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

AVG
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

ZONEALARM
ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 2010 - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Malware bytes and advanced system care found some stuff, I had been using AVG forever, thanks for the great post. I always wondered if i should get something else.

Ran malwarebytes earlier and it only found 3 minor registry bugs, then again my Windows 7 install is only about 2 weeks old.

I wanted to live on the wild side so after I removed the bloated version of the latest AVG free, I installed Microsoft Security Essentials and haven't had any problems and I do visit some questionable websites.

I was an AVG guy for a few years but now run Avast on a my wife and kid's machines.

Frank

I did the same thing; it's heaps quicker on my fairly crap spec laptop.

I'm not gonna lie, windows 7 is win.

Also for people who actually want to buy it, you can save 100$ if you download an illegal copy, then purchase it through the "Make my windows genuine" thing.

Ran Malwarebytes with no problems detected. Although I'm fairly careful about my computer activities.

I've run malwarebytes for some time, but which one mentioned (or is there a better one that hasn't been mentioned) for cleaning up old registry values and stuff that is slowing down my boot up?

Thanks.

If you've got "something" on the PC already you are fucked. Plain and simple the only real fix is fdisk, format, install.

Any time rogue code executes on your machine you are most likely fucked. Unless your user is not running with admin privledges on the machine and you are running NTFS that is locked down very well, there is no fixing what has happened. Of course unless you are prepared to run something like hijack this to give a report and doing all the detective work yourself.

Imagine this. You execute some code, you've double clicked on something or a hole in IE or in the OS itself has allowed code to be executed as administrator. That bit of code appears to do nothing, or runs some fancy greeting card thing you go through email. First thing it will do is kill your AV/Adware/Zonealarm. Then it'll patch a legit service or steamed in commands to a legit service that was sloppily coded. Next this little bit of code will open up a call back service that will contact an ircbot somewhere and the next thing you know your machine is now a zombie. Or worse it quietly logs your key strokes and sends them off somewhere to be harvested.

Bottom line. Once you run the code as admin (or equiv) you are already fucked.

Why is Linux or Mac OS more secure? Very few things run with system (admin) privileges. Look at your windows box, what does pretty much every service run as? SYSTEM.

Security is multi-faceted. AV is ok, but it can only scan what it already knows about. Keep your machine patched, again this usually only fixes known security issues. Run a Stateful Firewall (aka Windows Firewall) on your machine. Run your home network behind a router (OpenBSD with PF rocks) which is setup to NAT on the inside. Make sure you are only running with the privledges you NEED, shut down services you aren't using, close ports that aren't needed. Minimize your exposed surface area and don't do stupid shit.

Anyone who thinks they are ok because they are running AV Product X and have automatic updates configured are kidding themselves. It's like counting on that condom you've had in your wallet since you were 15.

Rant off.

Advanced System Care. Also has a bunch of other features to use. Great program.