virus or cock-up

I logged on earlier today and was greeted by a pop-up.

AVG ScriptHelper.exe

I checked it out and found that a lot of users are having frustraring problems with it. AVG say that it is clean legitimate software but it did not seem kosher. Then it would not close and froze my PC. I had to force shutdown, open in safe mode and do a system restore. Hopefully this has solved the problem. I also disabled all AVG add-ons. Does anyone know anything about this annoying pop-up?

According to a forum I found, "We would like to inform you that the scripthelper.exe is part of the new AVG Security Toolbar released in the lastest AVG 2012. This application is valid and it is safe." (You'll have to scroll down to the tenth post from someone claiming to be an AVG employee/Official Rep.)

https://getsatisfaction.com/avg/topics/scripthelper_exe

If you have the AVG toolbar installed you might be able to uninstall it using these instructions:

How to uninstall AVG Security Toolbar | FAQ | AVG Worldwide

smoke & mirrors

Thanks for taking time to reply. AVG's posts leave me, somewhat, none the wiser. On the one hand it's clean and safe, on the other, they go to great lenghts telling how to get rid of it: how their technicians are working on the problem but no date yet for solution. I wonder if this new ScriptHelper has ever worked for anyone!

Hi,

Having any anti-virus is better than having none at all, but its these sorts of 'niggles' that cost AVG its popularity in recent years. There are very reliable, well regarded and free alternatives available if you feel that AVG just isn't quite what you want it to be:

• MSE

• Avast (requires registration)

Regards,
Golden

Thanks for info. AVG has servrd me well for years now and I expected better from them but I think I'll stay put for now unless something else goes wrong.

Over time I have had nothing but bought and paid for from brick and mortar stores security systems. The last two brands caused nothing but hassles even tho I had use them for a long time; one at a time. One update can drive you crazy and destroy your faith in them. I went to MSE and haven't looked back.
CAUTION. When you destroy the old anti virus cd's pieces will fly all over.

If you decide to replace AVG with something else (I also use MSE and share Layback Bear's positive opinion) I strongly suggest you use the official AVG Removal Tool.

AVG | Download tools and utilities

Failure to remove all bits and pieces of one antivirus can prevent another AV from installing successfully.