Solved many browser windows opening automatically (must be virus?)

[chas53]

hey guys,

I am writing to please ask for help.

a couple nights ago, I was looking for lyrics to a song. I think I was at metrolyrics.com.

suddenly, browser windows started opening by themselves. many of them. I ended up shutting down IE. (I use IE8. my computer tech told me to use it a while back because he said IE9 has a lot of issues).

just now I had a bunch of tabs or windows open. (I often do. I like to do 6 things at once.)

the same problem happened. it is slightly unnerving. it is an aggressive attack. I try closing a window, and this thing is chugging along opening 7 more. I go to task manager and shut it down.

I tried scanning the computer both times for a virus (AVG free version). it found no viruses.
does anybody have any thoughts on what I should do?
I did try a search before posting this.

thank you for any help,
Charlie

 

[koolkat77]

chas53

How about uninstalling AVG and running a full scan with MSE and Malwarebytes?

:ar: Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows
:ar: Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer

Do post back your results for further suggestions.

Also run a SFC Scannow and reboot if integrity violations are found.
:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[chas53]

hey koolkat77.

thanks alot for your reply. man that was fast.

is what you suggest very hard to do?

would I end up keeping MSE and using that instead of AVG?

and would I pay for malwarebytes or get the free version?

 

[Sir George]

hey koolkat77.

thanks alot for your reply. man that was fast.

is what you suggest very hard to do?

would I end up keeping MSE and using that instead of AVG?

and would I pay for malwarebytes or get the free version?

I am not "koolkat77", but I believe the advice will be to keep MSE and you can use the free version of MBAM (MalwareBytesAntiMalware).

HTH

 

[koolkat77]

Well yes, but first do a complete scan with both of them to ensure your computer is clean.

Also run the sfc scannow as suggested.

 

[chas53]

thank you Sir George.

do you agree with koolkat77 that this would be a smart thing to do?

 

[chas53]

thank you koolkat77.

I'll try it.

 

[chas53]

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware PRO removes malware including viruses, spyware, worms and trojans, plus it protects your computer



ok. did both of those.

full scan with the first.

quick scan (recommended) with the second.

no problems detected with either.

should I do the full scan with the malwarebytes??

the sfc scannow looks complicated. possibly over my head.

any more thoughts or guidance about that one?

I am not afraid to try stuff. I can follow step by step instructions. the sfc scannow gives options and then more options. would someone tell me if there is something I should do thats clear cut without all the options?

 

[cmmtch]

There are many very good tutorials on SevenForums, here is the one for sfc scannow http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html?ltr=S. You won't have any problems if you follow the directions

Here is the link for the tutorials http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/?ltr=S, it's also on the front page of the forum near the bottom.

 

[chas53]

thank you very much.

I talked to a very knowledgeable friend.
he suggested I get rid of malwarebytes.

and download and run spybot.

I did. it found 12 problems and fixed them. including 2 browser helper objects.

will hold off on sfc scannow for now.

thank you very much.

hoping problem is fixed.

 

[Sir George]

thank you very much.

I talked to a very knowledgeable friend.
he suggested I get rid of malwarebytes.

and download and run spybot.

I did. it found 12 problems and fixed them. including 2 browser helper objects.

will hold off on sfc scannow for now.

thank you very much.

hoping problem is fixed.

Spybot S&D was a very good product sometime ago and is most likely still viable, but I wouldn't remove MBAM and replace it with Spybot. Plus, it never hurts to have additional tools to use when trying to solve a problem.

Just my .02 cents worth.

 

[chas53]

thank you Sir George so very much for your reply.

I downloaded and ran malwarebytes. it did not detect any problems.

per my friend's recommendation, I deleted the program. and downloaded and ran spybot. it found and fixed 12 problems.

so far no more problems. am wondering if you still think I should download malwarebytes again (and then get rid of spybot s & d)???

thank you very much.

I talked to a very knowledgeable friend.
he suggested I get rid of malwarebytes.

and download and run spybot.

I did. it found 12 problems and fixed them. including 2 browser helper objects.

will hold off on sfc scannow for now.

thank you very much.

hoping problem is fixed.

Spybot S&D was a very good product sometime ago and is most likely still viable, but I wouldn't remove MBAM and replace it with Spybot. Plus, it never hurts to have additional tools to use when trying to solve a problem.

Just my .02 cents worth.

 

[Sir George]

thank you Sir George so very much for your reply.

I downloaded and ran malwarebytes. it did not detect any problems.

per my friend's recommendation, I deleted the program. and downloaded and ran spybot. it found and fixed 12 problems.

so far no more problems. am wondering if you still think I should download malwarebytes again (and then get rid of spybot s & d)???

thank you very much.

I talked to a very knowledgeable friend.
he suggested I get rid of malwarebytes.

and download and run spybot.

I did. it found 12 problems and fixed them. including 2 browser helper objects.

will hold off on sfc scannow for now.

thank you very much.

hoping problem is fixed.

Spybot S&D was a very good product sometime ago and is most likely still viable, but I wouldn't remove MBAM and replace it with Spybot. Plus, it never hurts to have additional tools to use when trying to solve a problem.

Just my .02 cents worth.

My suggestion isn't to get rid of Spybot S&D, but to add MBAM as an additional source tool. My choice for malware detection is MBAM, but that's a personal decision and many people use other detection software and are quite satisfied with their choice.

Hope this helps to clarify my suggestion.

 

[chas53]

thank you very much Sir George.

I understand now.

 

[koolkat77]

Is your original problem gone now?

 

[chas53]

yes koolkat77. thank you again.

so far so good.

fingers are crossed.

 

[koolkat77]

Well. Glad we were able to help.

You may mark the thread as "solved"

 

[chas53]

I will do that right now.

thank you so much again koolkat77 for the excellent help.

thank you again Sir George. and thank you cmmtch.

 

[chas53]

hey guys, would someone please tell me if they know the answer to this question:

I sometimes have 6 or 8 web browser tabs open at the same time.

I go back and forth reading articles, posting on forums, listening to songs at youtube, emailing at hotmail and on and on.

is it dangerous to do that?

I mean does it make you more vulnerable to getting attacked like just happenned to me?

 

[koolkat77]

hey guys, would someone please tell me if they know the answer to this question:

I sometimes have 6 or 8 web browser tabs open at the same time.

I go back and forth reading articles, posting on forums, listening to songs at youtube, emailing at hotmail and on and on.

is it dangerous to do that?

I mean does it make you more vulnerable to getting attacked like just happenned to me?

No it does not unless you know what you're clicking on.

This thread should help: http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/206705-good-free-system-security-combination.html