Creepy Computer Behavior

I've never seen a problem like this posted anywhere.

Since I went on-line with a new computer four or so years ago (MSN-Verizon), it has been automatically going to, and downloading junk from, porno sites. It's almost always the same sites, and the same mpegs. Over and over and over.

I have Windows firewall and McAfee's firewall (checked to allow no exceptions).

I have run multiple virus software programs and anti-spyware programs, with no effect. If I leave the computer on and go away for a while and come back, I often find quite a pile of pornographic junk in my temporary internet folder, and sometimes in my videos folder. I delete all of it using a windows washer program (10 passes). There is nobody else here, except for my pets.

I've called MSN and Verizon and even Dell (my computer's manufacturer), and everyone says the computer has to have a virus or spyware, but nobody has come up with a single suggestion for fixing it, other than to run the usual virus and spyware programs, and to make sure my firewalls are activated.

I installed a program to keep the browser from going to porno and gambling sites, but that didn't help.

All this junk is embarrassing :-o, and slows down the computer. Dell convinced me to buy some more RAM modules, but I don't know if that's going to make any difference, though maybe the computer won't be so slow. Now it will probably download all the junk even faster.

Also erasing all this stuff seems to do damage to the computer. I can no longer use my Windows defragmenter, because it freezes at 3%, unless I put the computer in Safe Mode and run it from there. I've tried every defrag repair tip I can find on the Internet, but none has fixed the problem, and Dell tells me that the only way I can fix it is to reinstall Windows XP, which has the defrag program built in. They do not have a separate disk I can use to uninstall and reinstall the defragmenter.

I've used many different registry cleaners.

If anyone knows how to stop the unwanted downloads, I'm anxious to hear about them. I'm tired of having to turn the computer off everytime I go away from it.

Thanks

 

LOL - lock the cat in another room while youre out .

Welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome to Major Geeks.
2 Firewalls at the same time?

 

Thanks everyone, but I've already done all that, including the remove malware instructions here at Major Geeks. I've run countless disk checks. I'm ready to throw the computer away and start over. I was told an IMac was less likely to have virus and malware issues.

What I wonder is if somebody could be gaining access to my computer, despite the firewalls, and if so, would there be some of way of finding out? If ones computer is hacked, does any kind of notice appear?

Thanks again.

 

g'day Florida

as has already been suggested and you say you have followed the guide in the above links ,you really need to follow the instructions to the letter and then post the required logs in the malware forum for the experts there to look through.simply using the various malware programs is sometimes not enough to remove certain viruses and the malware people will be able to guide you through what ever else needs to be done.
also as hrlow2 pointed out it is not recommended to run two firewalls at the same time this will cause issues with the programs and leave your machine unprotected.
so please follow the guide and post the logs in the malware forum they will be able to help you further.good luck and welcome.

 

Thanks. So which firewall should I disable? I have the firewall that came with Windows SP2, and another that came with my McAfee service. Given all the issues with Microsoft (constant updates for new threats caused by defects in previous updates), would McAfee be more reliable?

When I ran the malware check as prescribed at MG, it wrecked my computer, and it took days to get everything running properly again. I do not want to download any more programs unless I know they won't make things worse. Please keep in mind, I am not a computer person, and have an incredible knack for hitting the wrong key, installing the wrong program, and deleting the wrong file. So now I play it safe, and do as little tweaking as possible. Even with washing the stupid porno that seems to keep re-downloading itself, I am careful not to erase shared DLLs or anything else that might create havoc. And I always create a restore point before doing anything. Sometimes, however, the restore points become damaged and unusable.

Several times recently, Windows updates have caused major problems with my computer--especially updates having anything to do with Windows Live, so I've disabled nearly all of the Live functions, and even replaced the Live Messenger with regular MSN Messenger (which seems much better). I also uninstalled SP3, though there seem to be remnants, and all of the Windows Framework programs (which were making everything draaaaaaaag).