System Tools 2011

I had this pop up indicating my laptop system was infected. At first I wasn't concerned since my virus program runs in the background. After seeing a second pop-up, I immediately opened my virus program and tried to lock down my firewall. This program (System Tools 2011) prevented this action and any others that would help to stop and identify it. I then proceeded to use my "master override"....I manually switched my wireless to OFF, which then immediately killed internet connection. Now that I was safely off-line, I was able to investigate this pest of a program.

I noticed a new shortcut on my desktop, which I right-clicked to see the target path. I proceeded to this location to rename the .exe file. Then I tried deleting the files....which was a no-go since it kept indicating the file was in use by notepad. After a few circles of verifying that notepad was NOT opened, I proceeded to my desktop computer which was nearby to search the net for solutions.

While investigating System Tools 2011, I heard my laptop re-start. Now, the wallpaper is back to normal, the system tray icon for System Tools 2011 is gone.

I immediately went to the file location on my C drive, and deleted the entire folder and emptied the recycle bin. I also deleted the "shortcut" on my start menu. I then started my virus program up doing a full scan and used CCleaner. Virus program came back clean, and CCleaner did its job removing the trash from internet cookies, etc.

So far, it seems this is gone. From the research I have done, it seems my infection was TOO EASY to clean up. I am wondering if renaming the file helped, or did Windows 7 detect something and restarted, or what?

Honestly, I really didn't do anything to get rid of it....I was just starting to get my arsenal together when the laptop decided to go "fix" itself. BTW, I am running Win 7 Home edition 64 bit and McAfee Anti-virus.

Is there any suggestions to ensure my system is free and clear before I turn back on the wireless connection?

Thank you for any insight.

Wow...y'all are fast! Thank you for the tips. I will be downloading the mentioned programs on a USB and installing from there. My laptop is my "baby" and it will not be turned back online until I am sure it is safe.

I will post an update later this afternoon on the status of this pesky "virus".

All seems to be back to "normal"....

Thanks again for the fast responses.