Date: 02/05/07 (Java Web)    Keywords: security, virus, microsoft

Microsoft’s Windows Live OneCare security tool failed independent tests carried out by the Virus Bulletin. The security testing group found that Live OneCare missed far more active viruses than any other program tested. To pass the tests anti-virus tools must spot and stop 100% of the malicious programs used to attack them. Version 1.5 of Windows [...]

Source: http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/microsoft-vista-security-tools-fails-to-detect-viruses-circulating-online/

Date: 02/06/07 (Security)    Keywords: virus, antivirus, microsoft

Test of 15 antivirus packages shows failures in four. Microsoft pledges improvements; McAfee says its updates weren't included.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6156733.html

Date: 02/08/07 (Security)    Keywords: security, virus, antivirus

A serious security hole in a wide swath of the company's antivirus products could let an outsider crash or hijack a computer.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6157554.html

Date: 02/15/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus

I got Vista Ultimate for my birthday, and upon installing it(yes my system met requirements) I notice that I had
not turned off the virus, so I backed out, it hadnt gotten that far in the install and now when I boot this is what happens, this is a cut and paste from an email plea

I was installing it, I forgot to disable my anti virus, I clicked out of it, agreeing that I didnt want to continue set up and so on. I hadnt really gotten that far(I was installing 64 bit)
I goto reboot the laptop (mine not the one you worked on LOL) And a scary error came up.

It said file \system32\hal.dll is missing and that I needed to reinstall that file.
O.K. so I find my windows disk that came with the laptop. I go through booting from that and it comes to WIndow Set up: File \i386\ha laacpi.dll could not be loaded. The error code is 7
Set pu cannot continue, Press any key to exit.

Also when I put the Vista cd in and try and redo that, I get to the part where I choose where to install, and it wont let me choose, I click on a partition and the "next" button doesnt "light"

I was installing on a HP notebook v5000 series. HP Pavillion

Xposted
Thanks!

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/746058.html

Date: 02/21/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus, spyware

Last year I got my fan replaced in my computer, since then I have had nothing but problems. They hooked it up to their network and I got tons of viruses, spyware and headaches.

I spent so much time removing things with every imaginable program but it is still slow and completely annoying.

So I have all my files on a jump drive and I need to know how to start over from scratch. I will need details, so whoever is kind enough to type it all out for me (or provide a link) is my new best friend!

x-posted

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/748485.html

Date: 02/22/07 (IT Professionals)    Keywords: software, virus, antivirus, spam

I'm looking for anti-malware solutions (antivirus, antispam, etc) which are 100% compatible with Exchange Server 2007.

So far I haven't found any vendors that fit my requirements. Everybody says they're completely compatible with 2003, but they simply don't say anything about 2007.

I'm interested primarily in an appliance (e.g., Barracuda's Spam Firewalls), but am also considering software solutions which go on the Exchange server itself.

Can anyone offer suggestions?

Right now I'm faced with setting up a new Exchange Server 2003 organization and then upgrading to 2007 when the anti-malware offerings become a bit more mature. I'd prefer to avoid that and go straight to 2007 if I could.

(x-posted)

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/itprofessionals/53107.html

Date: 02/28/07 (Security)    Keywords: software, virus, antivirus, yahoo

Accessing the beta version of Yahoo Mail on a PC with Symantec's updated antivirus software incorrectly sounds alarm bells.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6163068.html

Date: 03/04/07 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: virus

I have to get a new laptop for my aunt. I noticed that Vista is 64-bit ready, and apparently it is done better than XP 64, but I'm still confused on some things. If I go to HP and customize a laptop that has a Turion 64-bit processor with Vista, will that have the 64-bit version of Vista installed? Is there a spot in the installation or setup of Vista that says "Choose which version you want to run" or does it automatically detect it and therefore go with that configuration? Also, if it DOES run Vista 64, will I run into issues installing various programs like anti-virus (AVG or whatever free solution I can find), ZoneAlarm, or Open Office? Sorry but I know little to nothing about Vista, and since my MSDN membership ran out, I have been unable to get a copy of Vista to play around with.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1045320.html

Date: 03/15/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus

I've got a file on my comp I can't seem to remove. at least according to mcafee virus scan. Its called "generic pup.g". I've looked on line, but the cleaning process seems quite involved and i'm worried about screwing up my computer. I've run spybot as well and it does not detect it at all. SO could someone walk me through the steps? I'm using Windows XP.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/758334.html

Date: 03/17/07 (Computer Geeks)    Keywords: virus

Hey I can't get to my log in part for my cPanel and it seems like I'm the only one. My friend tried it on his computer and the guy who hosts me send me a screencap and showed that he can get to it too. The weird thing is I tried to get to my friend's cPanel and I can get to hers fine. My link would be http://hipscene.net:2082 and It won't load for me. I've asked several people to try but I can get to it. Anyone know what the problem might be? I figured Firewall or something but that wouldn't explain how I can get to my friends and not mine. I even tried disabling my firewalls, virus protectors, etc and it still didn't work.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1051566.html

Date: 03/19/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus, antivirus

A friend recently told me that AntiVir is a good program; better than AVG which is what I'm currently using right now. I checked reviews from download.com and many approved of the antivirus program except for its interface and slow manual updates. Does anyone here also use AntiVir? I'd like to know from some of you if has better performance than AVG when it comes to viruses.

cross-posted at: computerhelp

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/760887.html

Date: 03/27/07 (Security)    Keywords: security, virus, antivirus

Security company's Mobile Security Suite 5.0 to include antivirus, data encryption and firewall protection, plus management console.

Source: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-6170819.html

Date: 04/10/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus

So my AVG free virus scan is telling me I have a license error.
It won't let me uninstall it and it doesn't let me repair or do anything. It keeps asking for a License Number.
Anyone have any advise>?
I'm running XP Pro, 384 MB of RAM, Service Pack 2.
The AVG is 7.5 I believe.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/767971.html

Date: 04/18/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: cms, software, html, java, virus, antivirus, yahoo, microsoft

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:19:18 PM, on 4/17/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\ACS\AOLacsd.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\WLTRYSVC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\bcmwltry.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\BCMSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark X74-X75\lxbbbmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark X74-X75\lxbbbmon.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM6\aim6.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM6\aolsoftware.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Jessica McCumber\Local Settings\Temp\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://us.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/sb/msgr8/*http://www.yahoo.com/ext/search/search.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://us.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/sp/msgr8/*http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://us.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/su/msgr8/*http://www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://us.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/sb/msgr8/*http://www.yahoo.com/ext/search/search.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://us.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/sp/msgr8/*http://www.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://as.starware.com/dp/search?x=wKX1ILEOi+Vh7AfA98Gm4Me69ZMbubcDODB5xmjBn4e7qvgpzh3g9X76NOgfMAzCCl5Tw0kQuRTY0jf/1XO5JhOVpucs6AE2qwQP9EywsN2h/4O18HFjIMCFRm764cH6WrKzfBCieBriNM7f5HYuapgElLfhin4ivdENH5rTvMgp76I/nhTsrIzTJ5RREj1nmH6gHVnJmcQ=
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://us.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/su/msgr8/*http://www.yahoo.com
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {702EA91C-1ACF-4772-8078-18F2B2EE1031} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMSMMSG] BCMSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe /Consumer
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxtray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxhkcmd] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxpers] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RealTray] C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe SYSTEMBOOTHIDEPLAYER
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark X74-X75] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark X74-X75\lxbbbmgr.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DellSupport] "C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe" /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aim6] "C:\Program Files\AIM6\aim6.exe" /d locale=en-US ee://aol/imApp
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AIM Search - res://C:\Program Files\AIM Toolbar\AIMBar.dll/aimsearch.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra button: WeatherBug - {AF6CABAB-61F9-4f12-A198-B7D41EF1CB52} - C:\Program Files\AWS\WeatherBug\Weather.exe (file missing) (HKCU)
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {37DF41B2-61DB-4CAC-A755-CFB3C7EE7F40} (AOL Content Update) - http://esupport.aol.com/help/acp2/engine/aolcoach_core_1.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxdev.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: AOL Connectivity Service (AOL ACS) - America Online, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\ACS\AOLacsd.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: DSBrokerService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\DellSupport\brkrsvc.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Firewall Monitor Service (NPFMntor) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: WLTRYSVC - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\WLTRYSVC.EXE

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/769805.html

Date: 04/19/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: software, browser, virus, web, spyware

SOLLUTION:
I had NETframework installed, which effected many applications on windows.
I uninstalled it.
Possible other problem:
Tag by mailware.

Thank you so much for your help!

I’m running Windows XP and I’m using BitDefender, Spybot and AdAware.

My problem:
My internet connection suddenly cuts off when I’m surfing the web. Usually, my messenger switches off first. I don’t think I would really notice if I didn’t have my messenger on, because my net-connection icon doesn’t switch off at all. Nor does my LAN-status-icon change.
It all started when I rebooted my computer a few days ago, and my computer suddenly asked me for my username and password. I never ever make a computer administrator account/user account and activate it, though I know it’s always there from the start. It’s driving me nuts!
I tried deactivating it, but it won’t let me. I can’t even change it or anything.
Maybe I installed some software that activated it. I don’t know.
I haven’t knowingly downloaded any malicious software and installed it ever since formatting my computer, and neither spybot, AdAware nor BitDefender find anything when I do a system scan.
Another odd thing is that BitDefender is now always trying to connect to the internet without being prompted to. I have switched off automatic updates, because I can’t stand it when I’m in the middle of doing something, and those updates start eating up all my MB RAM.
Anyway. When my connection breaks down, the connection-icon doesn’t vanish as it usually would. It shows me that I’m still online. When I double-click on it, a window opens and vanishes again instantly, though it shouldn’t. When I left-click on it and try to cut the connection, I don’t get a reaction. The icon doesn’t change.
What confuses me the most is that my messenger won’t reconnect, my browser won’t open any new sites, but the clip I’m watching over at youtube dot com won’t stop playing. As far as I know, internet connection is required for watching clips at youtube.
I’m very confused right now, and I really hope that all of this makes sense.

(again in short: 1) my browser and messenger seem to be cut off from the net, but the icons tell me I’m online – and so does youtube.
2) I can’t deactivate my local user account – which I myself have never activated
3) my spyware and anti-virus software doesn’t detect any infected or defect files/etc.)

Does anyone have any ideas?
Is my network card maybe messed up somehow? It’s brand new, but it was super-cheap.
Is my computer maybe infected with a virus or Trojan, that somehow manipulates my anti-virus and spyware software?

Your help and ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/770745.html

Date: 04/22/07 (Java Web)    Keywords: virus

Active immunization is an extremely interesting technique in fighting against internet based viruses, trojans and worms. Laurent Oudot of the Rstack team created a prototype in 2003. He identified hosts compromised with msblast.exe worm using honeyd - a popular honeypot and then immunized them using the same exploit (to obtain a shell) as the worm [...]

Source: http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/active-immunization-against-internet-viruses-worms-trojans/

Date: 04/23/07 (WebDesign)    Keywords: software, browser, security, virus, antivirus, web, microsoft

So... This isn't a web design question, but I'm clueless when it comes to most Microsoft applications. I was hoping someone here might have some ideas for me.

I go to a local youth center once a week to work on their computers. It's a bit of a grassroots, low-budget project, and they've pieced together a set of machines running on XP. They're not networked, but they have internet connections. They don't have any security software built in, so a few of the computers are so choked up with junk that they're barely usable. When I tried to clean them up, I realized I'd probably have to download any security programs on my own computer and install them on CD since the browsers won't work anymore.

My question is:

What would you do in this situation? Money is an issue since it's a youth center. I can't use the browsers. Would you uninstall the browsers? Or will some antivirus software clean everything automatically? Any other issues that might come up in the process? What application would you choose?

Thanks much!

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/webdesign/1248888.html

Date: 04/30/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus, antivirus

Hi!

Can you help me?

Problem:

Windows XP works properly till I connect to the Internet, then process  winlogon.exe (I have only one winlogon.exe on my computer and this is WinXP system file) loads the CPU of 99%! 

In Safe Mode system works fine even I connect to the Internet.

I don't understand what's happening.

I tried to use antivirus soft with latest bases but it gave no effect. I think that this is not a virus.

But what is it??!!

Thanks.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/772694.html

Date: 05/03/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: virus

Hello there, I plan to reformat my laptop and I just have some questions about it. First off, the disk that I will be using to boot it back up from is a copy, will this affect anything if I have a valid product key? Does it matter that I will be reformatting a laptop as opposed to a normal PC? I have some pictures that I want to keep from the computer but how do I scan these to make sure they're not infected with a virus, and free program recommendations are welcomed. Lastly, I cannot get access to any virus protection for my computer at the moment so what is a good free virus programs that I can use? Thanks for any help. :) Oh and if it matters, it's an acer.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/775352.html

Date: 05/06/07 (Computer Help)    Keywords: rss, software, virus, web, spyware, google

I'm trying to help my Mom out with her computer.

She bought a Sony Vaio desktop in Winter 2003/2004 at Best Buy. She bought it to replace the Gateway desktop that my brothers had basically killed. She intended for them to use the old computer and she'd use the new one - but slowly my brothers got hold of her computer too.

We ran a virus scan this week and she had something like 30+ "threats" that were spyware, adware, or viruses.

I backed up all her photos to CDs and then used the Vaio Recovery Wizard which is supposed to restore your compute to the day the factory built it.

Now her 30+ threats are gone (where Norton couldn't get rid of them before), but she's still getting the same error message when she starts up her computer (she has to hit F2 to get to some screen - then from that screen she has to hit Esc and then Enter), but she's gotten used to that (I have no idea what the hell happened there!) All night, every couple minutes, she's been getting these error messages saying that she needs a registry cleaner, that there's an error, etc.

We Ctrl-Alt-Del to get the Task Manager up and click on the error message to find the process. The process is csrss.exe. I Googled it and it says that is a normal System file - but if it's located elsewhere it's a virus. Well, it is located in the folder it's supposed to be in, but she's constantly getting these messages. They're telling her that her system is corrupted and she needs to go to a website to download a registry cleaner. We tried about 3 of those web addresses, but she keeps just getting software that finds errors, but won't let her fix them unless she pays $39.95 (or whatever that particular program charges) for the program.

Any ideas? Should she pay for one of those programs? Should she just keep ignoring the pop-ups? Or should she just suck it up, bring her computer to Best Buy / Geek Squad, and have them fix it for her?

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computer_help/776012.html