Mumsnet Talk

Whilst DD and I were browsing on the internet, a "Security Tool" somehow got installed and keeps popping up all the time. I have gone to my computer to remove the software, but the pop-ups keep stopping me from accessing the "add or remove programs"

Any idea what to do?

Is it ALPHA ANTIVIRUS by any chance?

No, it's Security Tool.

Pop-ups every couple of minutes saying lap-top infected with worm which is trying to send my credit card details to a remote host.

Then it pops up a firewall alert and then asks if I want to continue unprotected, and then repeats again and again.

Try these links It took me 4 tries to find a free one to remove the alpha but it worked, i used SUPERantispyware which i have kept, tho laptop was protected before by AVAST, i now run both.

Thanks MNP. I think I will wait for DH to come in before I attempt anything!

What a PITA!

Indeed, it is a worry that they get thru the protection and can virtually install themselves and be the very devil to remove

I had that at work.
To fix:
1) Boot up in safe mode
2) Search for the exe that is causing the problems - it gives you the name in one of the pop-ups. I think it is in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\directorynamewithlotsofnumbers.
3) Reboot normally
4) Run a full anti-virus scan & install the latest updates

Good Luck

Ooops once you have found the dodgy exe delete it before you do point 3

Thanks for all the advice - it is DH's work laptop, so he has taken it in for the IT geek to check out.

And we were only looking at hairstyles as DD wants a bob!