I did something extremely stupid, so very early this morning, that I should have known better; I installed an unknown ActiveX control. Before I could grab a brain cell and stop myself, Vista Anti-Virus 2009 (malware/fraudware) was downloaded, installed and my computer was sending me Windows attack error messages about every 30-60 seconds.
I was far too tired to get angry, which was probably a good thing, but I really was having trouble with that brain cell I needed eluding me. I couldn’t figure out how to solve the stupid problem and I was only getting sleepier. I was stuck at the computer, because it kept trying to download another scanning software, so I had to catch the notices and cancel them.
Sam showed up on Gtalk, and this gal (who will deny it) is patient and brilliant. She did a few searches for me and kept me occupied so I stayed awake until I started to make some positive headway with the problem. I’m not happy that the final solution still cost me some money, but when you’re stupid, sometimes you have to pay.
If you’re caught and have to remove Antivirus 2009 from your system, here’s a great article: Removing Antivirus 2009. If you’re savvy enough to do it manually, you won’t need SpyDoctor. If you aren’t, just cave in, pay the money, and use the software. I had to use both the software and the manual removal to find one element that SpyDoctor, for some reason, didn’t get.
I managed four hours of sleep later, but now find myself nodding off in front of the computer.
Anyway, thanks and chocolate and junk food and a Red Bull to Sam for all her help. Go visit her, smile and appreciate her great artwork, and if you’re so inclined, buy something. As I said, she’s brilliant!
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Ow! I had practically the same thing happen to me. The only way I could fix it (not having the funds or the expertise), I had to fall back on the option to take the laptop back to its original self. I kick myself for not having backup copies of all the ‘extras’ I’ve purchased so I lost several programs. Some companies were kind enough to look for my original invoice and send me download links, but some said that because they had upgraded their product I’d have to buy it new if I wanted it back. The only good thing was that it felt almost like having a new computer. ;)
I’m glad you got your problem figured out.
Ouch- I’ve made some of the same mistakes in the middle of the night and I always feel so foolish afterward. After all, this is what I do for a living ;)
OMG, Jayne. I just did a Google search. But I appreciate the appreciation! It couldn’t come at a better time. And neither could the Red Bull! ;P