Yikes! Do I have a virus in my computer?

[Gypsy Rose]

Just got a phone call from a friend telling me that he found out that the SuperAntiSpyware program has a virus in it. Whether I use it or not, it could be slowly destroying my computer! He told me if I tried to uninstall it, it could delete all the files on my computer!

I went to the Microsoft website, where he said someone had found that info, but I don't know where to look. Anyone have any ideas? Or heard anything about it?

[vicklynn]

I dont know, but that is one reason I dont use antispyware.
Do you have Norton or something? Maybe you can run it if you do and it will find it.

[cheval]

I've always used Avast! anti virus software. It's free and lets you know when there is a problem the minute it happens.

[WashingtonBay]

I'm not seeing anything that says SuperAntiSpyware is illegitimate, it's widely available at reputable sites... but I've never used it. Maybe it had a conflict or permissions issue with the Windows Firewall that made it sound scary to your friend.

[cheval]

Do you use Firefox or IE?

[Gypsy Rose]

He was telling me that the computer repair shop where he frequents got a computer in that was totally messed up, and they couldn't find out what was wrong with it. The shop called Microsoft, and they were the ones that said it ws the SuperAntiSpyware that did it.

He also told me that if my AVG ran and found it, and sucessfully deleted or quarantined the virus, that that would treigger the virus to wipe out my files or lock up my computer. What the?

[Gypsy Rose]

Do you use Firefox or IE?

IE 8.

[Country Girl 43]

I just had a nasty virus a couple of weeks ago that got past Norton. Had to have a computer guy com eout and fix it.

I am trying Kaspersky now. Has anyone tried this software??

[WashingtonBay]

He was telling me that the computer repair shop where he frequents got a computer in that was totally messed up, and they couldn't find out what was wrong with it. The shop called Microsoft, and they were the ones that said it ws the SuperAntiSpyware that did it.

He also told me that if my AVG ran and found it, and sucessfully deleted or quarantined the virus, that that would treigger the virus to wipe out my files or lock up my computer. What the?

So far, I think something got lost in translation. They may have suggested uninstalling it because it had gotten corrupted or wasn't working right, or simply because they didn't make it... but they have this up:

Windows Vista Compatibility SUPERAntiSpyware.com SuperAntiSpyware Professional (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/compatibility/Details.aspx?type=Software&p=SuperAntiSpyware%20Professional&v=SUPERAntiSpyware.com&uid=4&pf=7&pi=8&c=Utilities&sc=Security&os=32-bit)

[Petra]

I cannot judge how knowledeable is the computer shop your friend works. I can tell you though that just because someone has a computer shop it doesn't mean they know what they are talking about.
It doesn't sound right to me.
If it's even true my bet would be spyware attached to the software.
If you really think you have a virus restore your PC to an earlier date, when you know for sure it was fine - that would take care of it.

[Gypsy Rose]

Could be. That's the upgrade from the free to professional edition there. I just have the free.

[Gypsy Rose]

I cannot judge how knowledeable is the computer shop your friend works. I can tell you though that just because someone has a computer shop it doesn't mean they know what they are talking about.
It doesn't sound right to me.
If it's even true my bet would be spyware attached to the software.
If you really think you have a virus restore your PC to an earlier date, when you know for sure it was fine - that would take care of it.

Didn't even think of that- I thought my friend was going a little overboad. Trouble is, I'm not even sure when the chaos started, except the computer just came in yesterday.

[Gypsy Rose]

Downloades it off CNET when I installed it, and that was in February, lol!

[Equine_Woman]

Can you do a system restore back to January? If your computer isn't exhibiting any symptoms or any problems I wouldn't worry. I got a bad bad trojan last year and had to do a system restore (but I lived in safe mode for about 5 months while I tried to save everything on my computer). I don't want to go through that again that's for sure!! I hope yours is fine and you're worrying about nothing!!

[Gypsy Rose]

If I only knew if it was true, and had an idea when it came in, I could do a restore, but if I even go back to February 19, I would have nothing on the computer! I've only had it that long.

The old HP I'm not too worried about. It's only got a few of shadowdancer's pics that I can fit easily on a flash drive. It's the one I'm using, the eMachine that I'm worried about. Wish I had an external hard drive.

I really don't want to have to do anything if I don't have to. If I thought going back a month or two would solve it, I would. Trouble is, I have no other info than what I've stated already. I'm hoping everyone's right, and it's just a mixup. The computer's been running fine so far.

[Petra]

Didn't even think of that- I thought my friend was going a little overboad. Trouble is, I'm not even sure when the chaos started, except the computer just came in yesterday.

The reason I'm questioning the shop - I have worked for a guy that would tell people that the virus is embedded in the motherboard and they have to replace it, together with CPU and RAM. Half the time there was an easy fix to the PC, but he wouldn't admit he was clueless as to what to do with it. I'm not saying your friend is like that...Just pointing out that computer people don't always know everything. I know my boss was a moron...

As Cheval suggested - Avast is pretty good. Even if you don't want to use it, you can disable your current antivirus and select scan on start up after you install it. (Update it first.) I had really good luck with avast. It would find viruses that Northon and Mcafee wouldn't find. I don't even use any other antispyware software. If you have too many it slows down your PC. It's better to have just one reliable one.

[Petra]

If I only knew if it was true, and had an idea when it came in, I could do a restore, but if I even go back to February 19, I would have nothing on the computer! I've only had it that long.

The old HP I'm not too worried about. It's only got a few of shadowdancer's pics that I can fit easily on a flash drive. It's the one I'm using, the eMachine that I'm worried about. Wish I had an external hard drive.

I really don't want to have to do anything if I don't have to. If I thought going back a month or two would solve it, I would. Trouble is, I have no other info than what I've stated already. I'm hoping everyone's right, and it's just a mixup. The computer's been running fine so far.

When you do a system restore you are only going to loose software you installed since - all folders, files, pictures and videos will stay. Don't worry.

[Gypsy Rose]

So do it anyway, and go back to like April 1 or something?

I do know how- I've done it before, lol!

[pandorasmom]

I've had a virus get my PC twice. I think the second time the virus came from a supposedly "good" virus protection program called "Spyware Bot". Once I removed it the virus disappeared.
I now have the free version of Avast. So far, so good.

Cheval, question for you while I'm thinking about it. My avast logo disappeared out of the desktop tray in the bottom right corner shortly after I installed it(I may've hit a setting on accident:()? Is it still running, though it's not in the tray?
I do scans every month or so on my pc, just to be sure it's protected.

I've not heard of any thing like that GR but I'm not a good one to be saying so, because I don't get to hear half of the news now. lol :p

[Remali]

I use SuperAntiSpyware along with McAfee...... Hmmmm.....

[Gypsy Rose]

After talking with Petra, I'm beginning to think the whole thing is a bunch of malarkey, lol!

[allie0]

It doesn't sound too right..
I use McAfee and its brilliant.

If you're still worried, back up as many photos, videos etc on photobucket and youtube etc =)

[Petra]

So do it anyway, and go back to like April 1 or something?

I do know how- I've done it before, lol!


Yeah, you can do that. Actually it is a good practice to have a restore point on your PC when you know it's working fine and just restore it back to it whenever you are worried you caught something. You will not loose anything. Besides you can always reverse it back. ;)

[Gypsy Rose]

Very good point. It will give me something to do today, lol!

Thanks!

[pasolover2]

I have superantispyware on my pc and have had no problems with a virus, me thinks your pc tech got some wires crossed as it mainly looks for malware/spyware on your pc. Could be your antivirus picked up a false positive. Many times doing a restore can cause something, spyware, etc. to get buried deeper in your reg. The best place to get pc help online is Community Feedback, lots of very knowledgeable people and very helpful. You have to reg to join but it is free and they will help you get your pc back into shape, can answer a question for you and send you to the best resource site. If they think it warrants taking into a shop they will tell you. You can find Community Feedback at http://www.community-feedback.com/, I always go there if my pc is running slow or acting up, saved me lots of money in the long run.

[Toodlestoo]

I use AVG too and it was able to get rid of a virus that McAfee could not. I'm happy with it so far....

[Gypsy Rose]

I have superantispyware on my pc and have had no problems with a virus, me thinks your pc tech got some wires crossed as it mainly looks for malware/spyware on your pc. Could be your antivirus picked up a false positive. Many times doing a restore can cause something, spyware, etc. to get buried deeper in your reg. The best place to get pc help online is Community Feedback, lots of very knowledgeable people and very helpful. You have to reg to join but it is free and they will help you get your pc back into shape, can answer a question for you and send you to the best resource site. If they think it warrants taking into a shop they will tell you. You can find Community Feedback at http://www.community-feedback.com/, I always go there if my pc is running slow or acting up, saved me lots of money in the long run.


So far, I haven't had any problems with mine. I was told that I could have a problem, lol!

Whole thing sounded rather fishy to me in the first place.

Thanks for the link! Definitely wouldn't be a bad idea for me to get signed up.

[Remali]

Hmmmm.... I agree, it sounds odd. Either you have a virus or you don't..... why would someone say that you "could" have a virus.....makes no sense.

Well, I've had Superantispyware, and so far so good (knocks on wood). LOL.

[pasolover2]

Gypsy Rose, sign up and post what you were told, they may have you run a Hijack This to see if there is any malware/spyware on your pc causing the false positive if that is what it is . There is a rogue program/popup that will put something on your pc and then ask you for money to clean it, sometimes it will leave something behind. The Hijack This they will have you run is a free download/program and you would be surprised what it will reveal that is on your pc, it takes someone like at CF though that can read and spot them. Many have run one and found out things on their pc they didn't know was there and when the people at CF, like Judy, has you run the hijack this and then tell you how to clean it off makes your pc run a bit faster and smoother. If you do a lot of surfing you can pick up a lot of stuff you didn't know is out there. Smiley Central is one of the biggest malware programs you can have on your pc.

[Gypsy Rose]

Holy cow! I have Smiley Central! Do I dare just delete it?

Off to sign up!

[pasolover2]

They will tell you at CF that Smiley Central is bad at malware/spyware. Judy will direct you to Cloud Nine that offers smilies and it too is free. Just post about Smiley Central on their Gen. board and you will get some responses on it.

[Gypsy Rose]

Thanks!