Security and Virus issue - HELP!!

[flowertop]

Hi, I seem to be here a lot lately but is the only place where I know will get some expert help. I have laptop (not this one!) which have paid to download the Avast protection software so assumed I would have nothing to worry about. Today logged on and kept getting messages from another security provider stating that there is a virus on my computer and I should pay to download there software. I presumed this was just a con and was being scaremongered to buy their product. As the day has gone on more and more strange things going on with the laptop. then I noticed that my Avast security had been switched off with a warning that must turn back on which I tried to do. Kept clicking on 'turn on' button but to no avail. Really worried as do all my banking on this laptop albeit I do have the remote devices which you need to put passcode into to log on to the bank site - hope you know what I mean. What do I do now? I have all my important stuff on the laptop and now am worried about turning it on. Can you please offer me some advice to resolve this mess. Thanks.

hmmm, ok. I just fixed this for a friend today with similar problems.

The best way to fix this is to download the free version of Malwarebytes here

You will have to do this from another PC as you will find the virus you have blocks this program.

Put it on a USB stick and transfer it to your PC. Reboot the laptop in "safe mode with networking"(search on Youtube for how but essentially press F8 when the laptop starts), install the software, update it then scan.

Hope that helps

Hi NG2 thanks for taking the time to help. when you say put it on a USB stick and transfer to PC. Do I just copy the URL onto the USB stick or something else?

There's a long thread on this same problem from last night!

We had it also. Good luck!!

ILT thanks could you possibly link the thread as can't find it.

No, use the link above. Download the program and put that program onto the USB stick.

Hope that makes sense.

Hi NG2 thanks but when I put the progame onto the USB stick I only seem to get the short cut version on the USB? Is there something I'm doing wrong?

From the MalwareBytes web site you should have chosen to save or download, not run, a file with a name like mbam-setup-1.46.exe

Then you should be able to copy that to your USB stick using Windows Explorer.

What is the name of the file you're trying to copy? Where is the file located?

I'm wondering if you've actually installed the application and are trying to copy the icon to run it from your desktop to the memory stick?

Hi Flowertop

Do you have anyone who is more technically minded who can help you? If not you may want to look in the local paper for a IT support person who can come to your house and sort it for you.

A friend of mine who lived too far away from me had this done recently and the guy only charged her £30.

Sometimes its just not worth the headache of doing it yourself.

Hi, just to let you know that I have found a local technical person who will be able to help. He said that he has had 7 laptops before mine this morning with the same problem. One of them has had hundreds taken out of his bank account as he filled in his bank details to buy a 'scam' security package.Thanks for all your help.