How to remove virus?

I've stupidly downloaded a virus to my laptop (thought it was an eCard) which has changed the homepage to some advert for virus protection ironically..

Can someone recommened a program to downlowd that will clear it, i've done a scan using adaware V9 which found just under a thousand threats. Is it safe to go to their website and buy that package that says it will clear them?

Cheers, Nick

Is it XP?

You could just put it back using system restore

[Viney]

Adaware is there to remove Adware, not virusus. You need something LIke AVG antivirus once you have your computer back to normal. Its free and it works. You could also download ZoneAlarm. this is a firwall that will stop these things getting in in the first place.

But as above, if on XP, do a restore.

[fizzwheel]

I doubt whether adware is going to get rid of that, you want spybot or something similar.

Be very careful what you do on your computer, those kinds of thing normal have a phising scam or keylogger built into them so dont go anywhere that you need to put credit card details into until you've cleaned it off.

Originally Posted by Viney

Adaware is there to remove Adware, not virusus. You need something LIke AVG antivirus once you have your computer back to normal. Its free and it works. You could also download ZoneAlarm. this is a firwall that will stop these things getting in in the first place.

But as above, if on XP, do a restore.

An XP system restore may well temporarily hide the results, but may not cure the symptoms. A system restore will not rewrite the whole HDD, just the system files - so if your virus is sat somewhere nice and cosy out of the way, masquerading as a picture or what-not, it will still be safely tucked up there after the restore, just awaiting awakening.

ask Falc he's only round the corner from you and currently on his way home PM if you want his number