computer virus question

**kbronss** · 08-14-2012, 01:00 PM

in a matter of minutes, my icons dissapeared with only the trash icon and tool bar left. then those two were gone also. the only thing left is just my wallpaper. computer turns on alright and mouse seems to be working fine. i dont want to take it nowhere because of some "Naughty" pictures i had just uploaded into the computer which were left on the desktop.

**ziggypiggy** · 08-15-2012, 12:18 AM

Do you still have access to the rest of the file system? Can you see lists of files in folders? I find that the easiest thing to do is to backup important files, and just reinstall the operating system. I can almost guarantee that the amount of time you spend trying to remove the virus will be greater than the amount of time required for a complete reinstall.

**kbronss** · 08-17-2012, 01:02 PM

thanks..found out i had a couple of viruses.

**SilverBuilt** · 08-25-2012, 02:30 PM

Yikes, I wouldn't recommend downloading one of those "Free" online virus checkers, and a complete reinstall of the OS would probably be your best option. I would invest in some antivirus software, after you do, especially in this day where so much of your personal information is online.

**Riptorn** · 09-04-2012, 05:32 PM

I use AVG. it is free and you can upgrade to the paid version which has a few more bells and whistles. It's a really good program that is updated at least weekly (virus definitions).

**73mustang** · 10-25-2012, 11:01 PM

AVG is alright, it's a fairly large file that is a bit of a resource hog, personally of you must use an antivirus program, I suggest Microsoft Essentials. It's a very small file, and yet does everything you could hope for (and it's free). Best way to avoid viruses is to check before you run something new, for example of you dl torrents, when you open the file, if there is an exe. File extension, guess what ? It's a virus. Delete. Simple! All viruses have an executable file, of you learn what to look for, you should never
Have a problem. I haven't used a antivirus program in years, and I never get infected. Anti virus programs like kaperski and norton Are viruses!

**ziggypiggy** · 11-22-2012, 03:13 AM

just don't download anything you don't trust. I don't even run antivirus. Any time I've ever had a problem, I can just reinstall windows in less than an hour. it's a better solution to me than having an AV slow down my computer all the time