How to get rid of fake windows security alert virus

there has been a virus on my laptop for the past two months. on the bottom taskbar there is an red "x" shield icon and whenever i try to go on it takes me to the security esentials page and it says "the security center service is turned off" and it wont turn on whenever i try to turn it on. also it wont let me access the internet or try to restore the laptop. i've tried all teh spyware removers like spyware doctor and malware bytes, but it seems i still havent gotten the problem yet. help for this situation is greatly appreciated. thank you

<Moved from Windows>

Answer
Answer
Hi,

One way to solve the problem would be to back up your important data (redundantly) and then re-install
Windows after formatting the drive. Check with your System maker's Support to see what you need to do
that (and you may already have what is needed). You can buy the Windows install disks from the System
maker cheaply if needed since you already own Windows.

=====================================

Another method would be to make sure the malware is detected and removed with the internet access being
restored.

Try repeatedly tapping F8 as you boot and Select Safe Mode with networking. If that works proceed with the
methods below. (You can try Wired and Wireless access if you have both available.) If that does not work
then use another computer to download the needed programs and drivers and transfer them to your machine
on removable media.

These can be done in Safe Mode - repeatedly tap F8 as you boot however you should also run them in
regular Windows when you can.

Download malwarebytes and scan with it, run MRT, and add Prevx to be sure it is gone. (If Rootkits run UnHackMe)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put it - Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN

Malwarebytes - free
http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

SuperAntiSpyware Portable Scanner - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/portablescanner.html?tag=SAS_HOMEPAGE

Run the Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool

Start - type in Search box -> MRT  find at top of list - Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN.

You should be getting this tool and its updates via Windows Updates - if needed you can download it here.

Download - SAVE - go to where you put it - Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN
(Then run MRT as above.)

Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool - 32 bit
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en

Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool - 64 bit
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=585D2BDE-367F-495E-94E7-6349F4EFFC74&displaylang=en

also install Prevx to be sure it is all gone.

Download - SAVE - go to where you put it - Right Click on it - RUN AS ADMIN

Prevx - Home - Free - small, fast, exceptional CLOUD protection, works with other security programs. This is
a scanner only, VERY EFFECTIVE, if it finds something come back here or use Google to see how to remove. 
http://www.prevx.com/   <-- information
http://info.prevx.com/downloadcsi.asp  <-- download

PCmag - Prevx - Editor's Choice
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346862,00.asp

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If needed here are some online free scanners to help

http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

-----------------------------------

Original version is now replaced by the Microsoft Safety Scanner
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Microsoft Safety Scanner
http://www.microsoft.com/security/scanner/en-us/default.aspx

----------------------------------

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

Other Free online scans
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=antivirus+free+online+scan&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1

--------------------------------------------------------

Also do these to cleanup general corruption and repair/replace damaged/missing system files.

Run DiskCleanup - Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup

Start - type this in Search Box ->  COMMAND   find at top and RIGHT CLICK  -  RUN AS ADMIN

Enter this at the prompt - sfc /scannow

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program
generates in Windows Vista cbs.log
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228


Run checkdisk - schedule it to run at next start and then Apply OK your way out then restart.

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

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If any Rootkits are found use this thread and other suggestions. (Run UnHackMe)

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/InternetExplorer/thread/a8f665f0-c793-441a-a5b9-54b7e1e7a5a4/

========================================
========================================

This is my generic how to for proper driver updates : You want to update the WiFi and Wired (NIC) drivers.

This utility makes it easy to see which versions are loaded :

DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system. For
each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address of the driver, description,
version, product name, company that created the driver, and more.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most current.
Control Panel - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and complete model of your
video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the version info. Now click UPdate Driver (this
may not do anything as MS is far behind certifying drivers) - then Right Click - Uninstall - REBOOT
this will refresh the driver stack.

Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if 3rd party with their
own software and drivers and any other major device drivers you have.

Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then Device Maker's site
(Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest versions. (Look for BIOS, Chipset and software
updates at System Maker's site while there.)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT after each installation.

Always check in Device Manager - Drivers tab to be sure the version you are installing actually shows up. This
is because some drivers rollback before the latest is installed (sound drivers particularly do this) so install a
driver - reboot - check to be sure it is installed and repeat as needed.

Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER - check manually by model.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm

How to Install a Device Driver in Vista Device Manager
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html

If you update drivers manually then it is a good idea to disable Driver Installations in Windows Updates,
this leaves Windows Updates ON however it will not install drivers which will usually be older and cause
issues. If Updates suggests a new driver then HIDE it (Right Click on it) and then go look for new ones
manually if you wish.

How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows Vista - Drivers
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730606(WS.10).aspx
==========================================

Make sure you know the login details for your wired/wireless router - SSID and Password.

You will lose connection when doing this and have to redo your logon.

Control Panel - Network & Sharing Center - on Right Side click Customize - Set Network Locations page -
on lower left click Merge or delete networks locations - DELETE ALL instances of your network (and any 
others you no longer use) - REBOOT. Start - Connect To to logon on to Network.

Hope this helps.


Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
Rob Brown - past Microsoft MVP - Windows Insider MVP 2016 - 2021
Microsoft MVP Windows and Devices for IT 2009 - 2020

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Last updated April 24, 2024 Views 176,024 Applies to: