Please Help...adware/spyware/virus???

weallwegot

I'm computer illiterate so please be patient with me.

I'm running Windows xp Home Edition

Two nights ago, i went to bed (computer running) and my computer was fine. I woke up to find nothing working. When I restarted my computer, my background changed from my normal wallpaper to a message similiar to this: "warning spyware detected on your computer install an antivirus or..." The weird thing is, it didn't show up in a window but as my wallpaper. When i changed it backto normal, it would simply revert back to that message when i closed the properties window. By running different adware/spyware/virus programs, i managed to delete that message. How do i know if i took care of the problem or simply got rid of a small part of it?

Also, i have my computer password protected. Normally, the only time that i have to use my password is when i turn my computer on. Since "that morning", i get a "run as" window every time i click on something forcing me to enter my password for every program.

I'm almost positive that i neglected to provide all of the information needed to help me. Please tell me what information you need and i'll do my best to provide it.

Arachne

Ouch. Well you could download and run Spybot Search & Destroy (update it before running a scan), and also an online virus scan such as http://housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/...or this one from BitDefender: http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

But really, with a system that sounds that compromised I'd reinstall the OS personally.

What anti-virus/anti-spyware/anti-malware software do you currently have on your PC?

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cholla

weallwegot;Do you use System Restore?

weallwegot

Arachne - I've run SpyBot, CCleaner, Verizon Internet Security Virus/spyware, AdAware, Mal (something), SmitFraud (i think this is the one that got rid of the wallpaper thing)

cholla - I've never done a system restore, but if it's an option, i'm open to new ideas.

Thanks for the help. I really do appreciate it.

cholla

I have Vista which is some different & I have another backup method So I have system restore disabled.I understand many XP users do the same.
If you have never disabled it then it should be creating restore points automatically.If this is the case then use a restore point before the problem occured.Here's a MS article on System Restore for XP:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...w_03may19.mspx

If this doen't fix your OS then I will suggest more.
Doing the opposite of this may fix the constant re logon. "Disable" instead of "Automatic"
Enable the RunAs service on a Windows 2000-based computer, or the Secondary Logon service on a Windows XP-based computer
The service that is required to run the Run As command is, by default, started automatically when you install Windows. However, the service can be disabled by an administrator. If the service has been disabled, you can re-enable it by following these steps: 1. Log on to the computer as Administrator, or log on as a user with administrative permissions.
2. Right-click the My Computer icon, and then click Manage.
3. In Computer Management, expand the Services and Applications node, and then click Services.
4. Perform one of the following steps, depending on which operating system you have:• Windows 2000: In the details pane, right-click the RunAs service, and then click Properties.
• Windows XP: In the details pane, right-click the Secondary Logon service, and then click Properties.

5. In the Properties dialog box, set Startup type to Automatic, and then click Start.
6. After the computer starts the service, click OK to close the Properties dialog box, and then close Computer Management.

weallwegot

I tried a system restore and everything seems to be working fine. Again, a sincere thanks to both of you.