Help! How can I scan for computer viruses?

[Dixon]

Help, computer wizards! Sonic informed me today that someone hacked my Sonic email account and used it to send out spam. They suggested I change my Sonic password (which I did immediately), and scan my computer for viruses. The problem is that I have no idea how to scan for viruses. I've never done it before. I searched through the lists of applications and utilities on my computer and didn't see anything that looked to me like virus-scanning software. Can anyone respond to this email or call me at (707) 527-6163 and clue me in as to how to find and purge viruses if there are any on my computer? Hopefully I won't have to spend much $ for virus-scanning software, as I'm broke.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[arthunter]

I'm really not a computer geek but I've been told that this is one of the best programs for virus scanning and it's free ... good luck!

https://download.cnet.com/Avast-Free...-10019223.html

Can anyone respond to this email or call me at (707) 527-6163 and clue me in as to how to find and purge viruses if there are any on my computer?

[Dixon]

I tried downloading Avast repeatedly, starting from 3 different webpagges, including the Avast.com site. It just wouldn't work. I got a window that said:
"Adobe Reader could not open 'avast_free_antivirus_mac_setup(1).dmg.part' because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged..."

Any other suggestions? Anybody?

[Ted Pole]

I use Kaspersky Security Virus Protection, and have not had any problems with viruses. I am on a mac, though, which supposedly reduces my chance of infection. I would recommend you actually pay for any virus protection software, as I understand most of the free stuff is not that good and does not update itself (as Kaspersky does), which helps when the bad guys come out with something new.

You're never 100% safe.

Good luck.

[Hotspring 44]

Hi Dixon, If you have a Windows XP, Windows 7 or windows 8, you can try the Microsoft free anti virus security, it is called: Windows Essentials .

BTW, it sounds to me like you may be downloading the program OK but not doing the install; (?).

Anyway, If you have a Windows PC (Microsoft) computer; after download, you then have to be logged-into your computer as an “administrator”; (You should be logged-in as administrator anyway to do the download in the first place) to make it easier to locate the “Downloads” Folder which is where the downloaded file is going to be located by default.

After you located the correct file that you just downloaded (it will most likely be a .exe type file, either double click it, Right click it and open it... ...Then there will be a small window that pops up and asks you if you want this program to make changes to your computer; click yes.
At that point the program should install itself.
After the Install is complete, you will need to restart your computer.

If I remember correctly when you restart the computer it may need to be updated after which you may need to restart your computer again, you may have to go through this step more than once.

There is a are at least 2 scan options that is available in the program that are rather obvious to find: Use the Full scan option.

Note: only one anti-virus program should be running so if you have other anti-virus programs they need to be either disabled or uninstalled.

The Microsoft “Windows Essentials” automatically works with the windows firewall that is part of the OS in the windows so if you don't have any other anti-virus installed you are set.

I used it and it seemed to be far better than nothing and it seems to be excellent according to some security software reviews I briefly read when I need freebee; IOW, it worked for me.

Now I use Trend Micro which is a pay ($) for but it has more options and web based info etc.

Here is the Microsoft Security Essentials Product Information web page:

https://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/...q#tabs1=sysreq

Here is the actual Microsoft Security Essentials Download web page:

https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/...tials-download

Help, computer wizards! Sonic informed me today that someone hacked my Sonic email account and used it to send out spam. They suggested I change my Sonic password (which I did immediately), and scan my computer for viruses. The problem is that I have no idea how to scan for viruses. I've never done it before. I searched through the lists of applications and utilities on my computer and didn't see anything that looked to me like virus-scanning software. Can anyone respond to this email or call me at (707) 527-6163 and clue me in as to how to find and purge viruses if there are any on my computer? Hopefully I won't have to spend much $ for virus-scanning software, as I'm broke.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Chris Murray]

I use MS Essentials too, but rely mostly on paranoia.
I doubt that you've got a virus. More likely you were a victim of session hijacking, where you clicked on a link from your email program that let the hijackers get access to your email account. It's important to sign off at the end of your use of email, as that ends the session for the hijackers too. Be sure to do this before changing your password i.e. sign off, close email, restart email, change password.

[Attic]

Dixon has a Mac thats why he is using a .dmg file for installs. Call West County Tech. They are honest and can help.

[Gene]

Hi Dixon, sorry to hear about your computer problems but at least your still up and running. Go to https://www.malwarebytes.org/ It's free and better than most of the anti-virus software
you pay for. Download then run a full scan, it will probably take an hour or more to scan. Then go to https://www.superantispyware.com/ ,download and scan. I suggest you scan at least twice a week and always update before you scan.
For the future if you have been surfing a lot of new sites, scan before you shutdown or restart. I also suggest you get a backup program, I don't know of any good free ones but you can usually get one at Staples or similar store in their mark down rack for around $15. Once you have that backup your entire drive to a USB flash, external hard drive or disk. I don't recommend disk but it's the least expensive way to go.
When you can purchase the Malwarebytes Pro. It's a one time purchase unlike most others that have annual fees and it's an active virus protection.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm not a pro but I've been through this and I know how costly and maddening it can be. Good Luck, Gene.

[BobHeisler]

You can download a program called Malwarebyes [for Windows], which has a free version that does a very thorough job of scanning your drives and cleaning viruses off.

Bob

[Attic]

Dixon seems to be on a Mac and everybody is telling him to use software that only runs on a Windows system.

The reason you couldn't use the avast_free_antivirus_mac_setup(1).dmg.part is because it needs to be extracted ... you then use what was inside. It is a compressed file that is why it says .part at the end and not .dmg. Find some software to extract the file then run the extracted .dmg file.

However I don't believe antivirus will help in your situation as I have seen this before and its more then likely that your email software has been compromised and is being used to send spam. If you don't have experience with this one you should call a technician. West County Tech is in Sebastopol https://www.westcountytech.com/

[Karl Frederick]

Dixon,
Here's one to try . . . an online virus scan called HouseCall from Trend Micro [for Windows], often mentioned as one of the best free antivirus program purveyors:
https://housecall.trendmicro.com/

[Dixon]

Dixon seems to be on a Mac and everybody is telling him to use software that only runs on a Windows system.

I very much appreciate everyone who has taken the time to respond. I apologize for not having mentioned that my computer is a Mac. I should have realized that people would assume otherwise since Macs are relatively virus-free. (I don't even know for sure that I have a virus; just making sure.) Sorry for my unclarity.

[Dixon]

I use MS Essentials too, but rely mostly on paranoia.

Good ol' paranoia--what would we do without it? It's scary just thinking about it.

[Karl Frederick]

Dixon, I realized from your second post in this thread that you were using a Mac. Barry apparently modified my post by adding the parenthetic "[for Windows]" to it. If you will ignore his insertion and use the link, you will find it takes you to a page which offers HouseCall for both Windows and Mac machines.

Good luck!

Dixon,
Here's one to try . . . an online virus scan called HouseCall from Trend Micro [for Windows], often mentioned as one of the best free antivirus program purveyors:
https://housecall.trendmicro.com/