Spyware Question

[XpEnSiVeHaBiTz08]

I was just browsing through websites and all of a sudden my computer shut down on its own then restarted itself. When my computer finally loaded again this thing pops up and says " Windows has detected spyware infection!, it is recommended to use special antispyware tools to prevent data loss. Windows will now download and install the most up to date antispyware for you. Click here to protect your computer from spyware." Is this safe to download? Is there anything else i should be worried about? Should i stop using and messengers, or logging into any websites until i have this taken care of? Any help asap would be appreciated. Thanks

mike

[Torres]

if something like that pops up i wouldnt click on any links. it could be the spyware itself in disguise. i would manually download them myself and start scanning

[XpEnSiVeHaBiTz08]

its actually something that says its from windows XP (the message pops up from the right side of the toolbar by the clock) i just want to make sure it would be legit to install it

[Guest]

no, its spyware dude. windows would not shut itself off randomly to install its own software.

[XpEnSiVeHaBiTz08]

even if it shows up like a red X (kind of like nortan antivirus) and shows the message every few minutes?

[Macfadyen732]

Yeah, windows will never ask you to download something, other then an update for software you already have. I wouldn't download anything that came up in a pop up. I'm not sure what MS has to offer for spyware detection software, you could look there if you don't already have some software for that. I have always used Spy Bot S&D, just have to be careful with what you are removing.

As for signing into websites and messengers, you dont really have much to worry about unless it is a key logger, and if your connection isn't secure.

Edited September 5, 2008 by Macfadyen732

[XpEnSiVeHaBiTz08]

but it says "windows will now install the most up-to-date antispyware for you" and it doesnt pop up from a regular pop-up. it pops up in the right hand corner by the clock where notifacations pop up like a normal antivirus software

[Macfadyen732]

Do you currently have any antispyware software from Microsoft?

[j_black10]

Your computer is infected with spyware!!!! Seems like you have the new bad boy, Antivirus 2008, which is like Cool Web Search, hard to get rid of!!! The best and easiest thing to do is , if you have your windows disk, reformat your hard drive and reinstall windows!! It's way better than wasting you time trying to delete that spyware, which is going to be hard since it seems to be in it's bad stage, shutting down you computer.

Be careful with pop-ups. NEVER click on ANYTHING within the pop-up. Always X out the pop-up by clicking on the X in the top right hand corner.

[XpEnSiVeHaBiTz08]

Do you currently have any antispyware software from Microsoft?

i had norton antivirus but it expired... i will pick up a new one tomorrow