Computer help please

[HCT]

I keep getting this pop-up I guess you can call it for "Anti-Virus 2008". It's telling me how bad my comp is infected and prevents me from accessing my Yahoo mail. It's found a spot on my tool bar at the bottom and I can't delete it. Went to my folders and tried from there but it still won't let me delete it. How do I get rid of it? Of course they want $49.95 for the anti-virus program. Some help please from the computer savy people. Thanks.

[deb415611]

HCT,

Until someone comes along with something better & more detailed ---- I would try trend micro's free Housecall (antivirus/spyware scan).  Maybe it will get rid of it.

Here is the link   http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/housecall

Deb

[Wildcat]

I had that problem not long ago.  You will find it in your program files.  In your tools go to the section where you can add and delete programs and look for it there.

[Smokin Soon]

Sometimes the easiest way out if it's not a program that can be removed is to set your computer back to an earlier date.
start button - programs - accessories - system tools -system restore.

Or you may want to hit start - run and type msconfig. Click the tab startup and see if you can spot the critter, and uncheck the box.

[HCT]

Smokin Soon, Thanks bud, I did a system restore and that seems to be working right now. I just hope that sneaky critter doesn't worm itself back in. >:(

[Smokin Soon]

If a popup window asks you anything, just close the window instead of saying yes or no. Glad it's fixed

[Gizmo]

In addition to Cat's excellent suggestion, for future reference, there are a few other things you can try before the system restore (which should always work but you will loose what ever programs that were installed before the system restore was set).
Check to make sure this is not part of the operating system's Security Center (as in XP).  This can be found in the control panel.
If not,
Look in the "Start", "Programs", and then "Startup" folder for any thing lurking in there.  There is also a registry key that will auto start programs. 

Note:  Editing the registry is not for the faint of heart and it is best to backup the registry before modifying it.

You can find the "Run" key with the REGEDIT command and looking in the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"

There is also a second sneaky location that nasty programs will embed themselves in the "RunOnce" key located just under the "Run" key.

You can run SpyBot and AdAware (both have free versions) or other type of programs to keep an eye on your system and scan them from time to time to keep them clean.

[CLAREGO]

if it comes back i have a tool for it