Verified answer

I recently clicked on a popup like this and found i could not open any of my folders without this popup coming up what i would suggest is that she do a system restore which is what i did and see if that solves the problem.

If not then run a scan with your antivirus in safe mode and this can be done by tapping F8 when the computer is coming on then select safe mode.

Since she cannot search for the anti-spyware programs you could download the installer for it and then send it to her via MSN in a zip folder.

I would suggest that you use:

1) Avast Home edition 4.8 (anti-virus)

2)Zone Alarm (firewall)

3)Ad-aware (anti-spyware)

Hope this helps.

Stanley.

Yeah, she has something, and the pop-up probably did it. Since she can't use Firefox to download anti-malware software, she's going to have to get it another way (thumb drive comes to mind). Here's what I suggest:

If she has an anti-virus, I suggest she make sure it has the latest virus definitions and run a scan with it in Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking. Both often prevent malware from protecting itself. If she doesn't have one, many people here swear by AVG (it’s free).

I suggest she also download Ad-Aware 2008 and Spybot S&D (they’re free), install them, update them and run them. If any of the above (or any anti-malware, for that matter) doesn’t seem to be able to run properly or get rid of everything it reports finding, she should try running it again in Safe Mode.

Note regarding updating that software if her Internet access is screwed up: It might still work. The updates don't use Firefox or Internet explorer, and depending on how the malware blocked things, the updates might go through.

Also, turn off System Restore to evict any copies of bad stuff that might be lurking there.

To get into Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking:

1. Log out and reboot your machine.

2. When the machine starts the reboot sequence, press the F8 key repeatedly.

3. Select Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking from the resulting menu.

4. When the login screen comes up, log in as Administrator. By default, Administrator has no password.

5. The machine will continue booting, but the Windows desktop will look different. You won't be able to see the Internet, for instance.

6. When you're finished, log out and reboot back into normal mode.

Note that even if the anti-malware programs get rid of the malware, they may not be able to reverse the effects. Search the Web for possible fixes.

She should also update and run everything regularly, not just when she thinks she already has malware.

Good luck.

Download Lavasoft Adaware 2007 from download.com, run a full scan, and get rid of the adware/malware, also a reputable spyware program (unlike the one she's downloaded) like Spyware Doctor or Spybot - so the same with this.

Also an anti virus scan.

These should sort it, if worst comes to worst she'll have to back up her data and format the hard drive. Never respond to these popups telling you you're infected!! Often when they come, it's from going on a site with these things attached - sometimes just from mistyping an address.

Apart from that, have a firewall.

By the way, I wouldn't trust this headray thing - I've never heard of it. MIne and the answer above are better.

edit - I like The Phlelob's answer. If that doesn't work, she'll have to back up her data, and format the C drive like I said, then reinstall the operating system. There wil be a way.

I saw the popup picture - they can't even spell "crashes".....

let's do the easy way 1st and if that doesn't work,have to go for the full monty.after doing the 1st portion coming next,check add remove for xp anti virus. IF it's there,LEAVE it there! e-mail me and i will send you the EXTENSIVE program removal process. after which i will send you the full virus removal process that you can print out for future reference. you would do well to print out this Messenger Spam block as well.

ok,time to get on with it

MESSENGER SPAM

XP Home:

this set up is for Internet Explorer alone

do you get pop ups claiming that your computer is at risk?

those are called "Messenger Spam" !

to stop messenger spam:

open start page

open administrative tools

open services

these services are in alphabetical order

you need to close two:

a] Alerter

b] Messenger

NOT related to MSN messenger or any other instant messenger

right click each service

click properties

from drop down menu,select disable

another method to deal with those that get through is to copy the pop up address at the top of the pop up or pop under [ starts up AFTER you close a window ]

open internet options [ start--control panel--internet options ]

open content tab

open settings

open enable

enter address

click never

close

open Advanced tab

check to see if pop up blocker is checked

close

reboot

THIS IS ONLY PART #1 OF #3

"Welcome from Answers.Yahoo.com", it says on the banner at the top of the page in your link? The main picture does not even display.

I think you should try to contact Yahoo!Answers administration in order to find out whether the banner ad was authentic. If it was, your girlfriend should maybe ask Yahoo!Answers about the problem and what to do to remedy it.

Otherwise, she should do a virus scan. It looks like she might have picked up a virus by accidentally pressing the wrong button. I have accidentally done similar things, or fallen for the wrong software ad that has shown up on the screen. I cannot recall having got a virus from it, but some of them have looked very suspicious. If the computer cannot seem to function at all, it appears that she has a virus and will have to get rid of it by follwoing the appropriate procedure. Try to make sure first.

Yes, while Chuck may need a new compuer, Charles does not want one that way (Chuck can be a jerk at times). Anyway, before you do anything, do a search for two programs that might solve your problem, Ad-Aware and Spy-bot. Install and run both of them and see what they can do for you. If you have something really nasty, you may have to reinstall everything from scratch, but if you do, then make sure you back up all data (documents, pictures, music, etc.) and anything else you might not be able to live without. Good luck. . .

Ok first of all I want you to download this anti virus computer program just download the free trial its for 1 month but your problem will only take maybe like half a hour to fix depending on how fast her computers is and how many files she got in there. http://www.grisoft.com/ww.download-trial here is the link then I want you to click on the one on the right.Do a scan you can do edit scan then just look at the time on the computer and it will scan anything for viruses. Also it will heal the virus and take it off well i hope i help.

She has download fake security software thats trying to scare her into buying it.

Malwarebytes is one of the best programs for removing fake software download, update and run a scan - http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

The other two programs to try are

SuperAntispyware: http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware-Free-Edit...

And SmitFraudfix: http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.php.

You'll have to copy these programs to a CD or USB stick to run it on her computer if her internet does not work.

It looks like "Antivirus XP 2008" to me, which is a piece of software designed to make your PC act like it has a virus, in order to get you to purchase it.

Here are some solutions to remove it.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=antivirus+xp+2008...

its adware she would need to run an spyware/malware program like spybot to fix it the avg might work but i would just try spybot first