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Fri 16 Nov, 2007 01:48 am
I used to have McAfree Security, but I let it expire. It's no longer in my computer. I just received (repeatedly) a message telling me that there's something suspicious in my files. I got an error message from Windows telling me that file I don't know anything about is inaccessible. I'm getting strange messages.
AOL has a scanner that runs automatically. It said everything seemed ok.
HOW CAN I CHECK THIS? WHAT CAN I DO?
How do I run a security scan?
BTW, at this moment there's a strange message at the bottom of my screen that says "About blank-Microsoft." I opened it. A tiny screen appeared at the top of the screen with something partially obliterated on it.
HELP!!!
When I run into something like that, I usually Google the filename. If there is really something fishy going on, chances are it's being discussed on the web somewhere, and that someone has figured out a solution.
Additionally to what Thomas writes above - it may be a kind of spam, an advert, which only pops up.
The file name is long gone.
I'm continuing to get strange messages.
The AOL opening page looks strange.
I'm in a state of panic. I need my computer for work.
Is there some kind of security check I can do?
Downlod CounterSpy 2.5.1032
From this location
http://www.download.com/3000-8022_4-10705277.html
Run it and do what it says.
Download
Avg Anti spywear
From here
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=asf
Run it and do what it says.
Both these programs are free.
If you still have problems
You will need to work through Timbers' Malware thread.
http://www.able2know.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21111
It may just be some leftover McAfee file on your computer that is trying to launch the program and finds it missing. That may happen if the uninstall was incomplete.
Can you copy the error message and paste it here?
Clamwin (http://www.clamwin.com/) is an open-source virus scanner that I have also heard good things about.
But I agree with Dag: before you do anything that involves much copying of files, you ought to find out what's going on. Posting the error messages here (and / or Googling them) is a good way to start.
Roberta
About blank is probably spywear.
Unless you have made some changes to your browser settings recently. It is also possible that removing norton if this was done recently has caused the change to your browser.
First things first; eliminate the possibility of spy ware by downloading and installing, then running the programs I suggested above.
If you still have problems after running the two programs I suggested you need to run timbers'yuckwear thread as suggested.
Here's another thought: If the error message is that files are missing, it could also be a hard disk problem. You can check for disk failure by running a command called Chekdisk. To do this, click Start-->Run and type "cmd". This will give you a shell prompt. At this prompt, type "chkdsk" and press the Return key. The program may churn for many minutes. That's okay. What messages do you get when you run this program?
dagmaraka wrote:It may just be some leftover McAfee file on your computer that is trying to launch the program and finds it missing. That may happen if the uninstall was incomplete.
I read the same thing & read that it could also be spyware.
Thanks for the responses. I may try downloading something and seeing what I can do. I also put in a call to my computer repair geeks. I don't trust myself to fiddle around.
Big sigh.
Good luck Roberta. I hope what you try works.
It would help to know the message that you get.
However, the About blank-Microsoft could simply be a blank I.E. page.
I can't copy the message. If I remember, I'll copy it by hand. I'm getting a variety of strange messages. But things seem to be working.
I truly appreciate your comments and concern.
Playing telephone/e-mail tag with the computer geek.
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