Please help a listener get rid of a virus/malware/something bad

[EllisCarver]

THere's a virus on my computer that won't let me open most of my programs, save Firefox and Webroot. Its one of those Fake-Antivirus programs (Anti-Vira AV I think). I don't get paid until the end of the month and I'm kinda low on cash, so if anyone out there can help, it would really be appreciated.

I run Windows 7 on a Dell laptop, BTW.

[FletchLives]

there are tons of free antivirus programs that at least last a month. just google "antivirus trial"
if you're unable to download it because of the shit that already got on there, you can upload from a usb. but do it quick. if it gets bad enough (ie. blue screen of death) you won't be able to use a usb, because usb ports aren't read until start up.

[EllisCarver]

OK, I was able to find a program that fixed it. Problem over.

[FletchLives]

dude i use nothing but free antivirus programs and i haven't had a virus (that i know of) in years.

[skizzbot]

AVG Free is where it's at.

AVG Free - Antivirus Download | Free Virus Protection

[Malcolm Is Moore]

Avast! - firewall/av
Malwarebytes - av
AVG firewall(I think)/av
Common sense - priceless

These are all things I use to remove virus's. If you're ever unsure about a program, do at least one of three things.

1. Don't download it
2. Download and run it in a safe environment, like a laptop you don't care about, or in sandboxie. (google that if you want to know more about it)
3. Download it in sandboxie and upload to novirusthanks.org or similar website to see if it's infected.

[DudeEMETIB]

Originally Posted by skizzbot

AVG Free is where it's at.

AVG Free - Antivirus Download | Free Virus Protection

Seconded.

But also, just stop downloading porn all willy nilly.
I'll freely admit, the only times I've ever gotten a virus, was when I was in middle school and would download porn without giving a second thought as to the source.

[Uncast]

If you want free, AVG Is fine but I had it for a year and had nothing but virus issues. Decided security was worth paying for, bought ESET NOD32 Antivirus and have been a loyal customer ever since.

You can't beat pure common sense though. If you get a pop-up saying you may be infected, know that every button in that window is coded to download the malware program. ALT+F4 or End Process from Task Manager ftw.

[DudeEMETIB]

Originally Posted by Uncast

If you want free, AVG Is fine but I had it for a year and had nothing but virus issues. Decided security was worth paying for, bought ESET NOD32 Antivirus and have been a loyal customer ever since.

I second this as well.
I had NOD32 for about a year or two, and it's definitely the best antivirus software I've used, but I didn't pay for it. And as far as free goes, you can't beat AVG.

[da_ticklah]

Microsoft Security Essentials

and the occasional pass of Malware Bytes