About my friends hijacked computer

I have been reading all the threads you have pinned for taking care of your computer.

My friend has only had her computer for 2 months. From that reading I can see that her computer was not properly set up with the appropriate security that you guys suggest when she bought it.

I am not really a geek but I am all she and others have; so I have been trying to learn quick. Based on my reading here, it appears that Windows Vista needs to be reinstalled. Am I right?

If so: can I suggest she have the store do the install? Then have her bring it to me to insure that proper security has been installed too, based on your suggestions?

If not: what should I try instead?

And what do you suggest I do to become more geeky? Since several people need me to maintain their computers, how can I learn what I need to. Perhaps this question should be posted elsewhere. If so, where?

 

Thank you.

The computer is a Toshiba Satellite.

It did come with trial norton. I tried one software to get it off, but I noticed yesterday that it was not all gone.

In regular mode I can not add or delete anything. I will try safe mode.

I have to go to a meeting now but will say more later.

 

You're already doing what you have to do to learn as 'you read the pinned threads' and asked questions first before diving into the deep-end of the pool. I wish more folk took that time to get things right instead of coming in after the fact when their system went kablooie.rolleyes:-D

As Halo mentioned and I'll stress again is to not be click-happy, in other words don't click on unsolicited offers of something 'free' or open e-mails that you don't know who it's from etc. etc.

You're well on your way to becoming a geek, patience and a thirst for knowledge will serve you well as well as some humility, if ya don't know then google for the answer or just ask as there will always be someone here to give you help.

BTW, reinstalling Vista would also re-install all the junk too.

 

Oh my!

I never thought about reinstalling would bring all that trialware stuff. I will try to avoid that.

Thank you.

I am back from my meeting now.

Now I will try uninstalling norton like you said.


Pete

Geek wannabe

 

hi there the only way to unistall and delete norton is in safe mode correct this should work.

 

This should also work in normal mode.

 

Hello,

I was not able to download in regular mode so I went to safe mode. There I downloaded CCleaner and was able to finally get all of norton off the machine.

And many other files. However, there are one or two programs that ccleaner could not delete.
:confused

I went back to regular mode, and now I could download again!

I downloaded the lastest firefox.

I tried deleting in regular mode and still can not do this.

Then I went to advanced systemscare v3 and ran it. It says that I am hijacked.

So now I will try the malware removal guide.

Stay tuned.

Pete

 

I can tell you that you'll learn a lot but is it worth your time instead of just reinstalling, after proper backups of course and starting clean? Your call of course. you have a lot more information now than you did 12 hours ago.