Virus!

<p>I've been getting creepy signs from my computer, leading me to believe that I have a virus. How do you get rid of one?</p>

<p>Inject your computer with some antibodies. </p>

<p>Or call your neighborhood tech geeks from best buy!</p>

<p>Virus scanners or reformat.</p>

<p>Burn your computer and then go buy a mac.</p>

<p>Step 1) Ignore above poster. Macs just feel weird...
Step 2) Check if you have an anti-virus program installed.
Step 3a) If you do, run it and see what it says...
Step 3b) If you don't, go to a tech forum (just Google computer help) and post there. Someone will usually get back to you within a day.</p>

<p>-The Ignoring Coot66</p>

<p>Is it specific? Do you notice anything in common?
I used to have a very nasty pop-up, different subjects in each window, same title...a little googling around worked like a charm.</p>

<p>Is your anti-virus updated? If not, then it's practically useless.</p>

<p>As for virus protection, you shouldn't use symantec, norton, or mcafee. You should try out some of the free software like Avast! (exclaimation point included).</p>

<p>If it's just something that's popping up every now and then, it's more likely adware. You don't have a virus in that case, but keep in mind that clicking the adware will most likely install a virus on your computer.</p>

<p>From what I read, reformatting is a step you should not consider since this does not sound very serious. Reformatting should only be used as a last resort! People who reformat are either ignorant of more... time efficient methods to deal with the more benign malware or have major computer issues (such as a very malicious virus that slows everything down to the point where you feel you're using a computer from the 80s or something that prevents you from starting up your operating system).</p>

<p>Use several anti-spyware programs, such as AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy. These are available for downloads for free -- google to find sites -- and, like antivirus programs, should be updated and run one a week or so. Until you use these, don't buy anything on-line or do anything else with personal information (like social security number).</p>