The other day the computer had a screen pop up that "looked" legit about warning of a risk to computer, then a bunch of other windows popped up, my son tried deleting them but they would pop up too fast to get rid of. Shut down
computer, restarted and had nothing. lost everything on main page, lost everything on start, couldn't go to system
restore but other son told me to type it in search and it did come up. Was able to get online, but when typing in a page would bring me to weird sites. Computer is VERY slow. Have done Windows security scan, malware scan etc. etc.

The virus is called Trojan:Win32/fakesysdef.  It showed up on maleware scan and I got rid of it, but what happens is it
changes registry items in the computer. I called microsoft but don't know if you know even calling their number can
send you to one of their "subcontractors". I got a guy from who knows where, I could hardly understand him, but he
wanted to charge $99.00 to get into my computer and make changes. Told him no as dont have anything left on my
credit card, but he was nice enough to send me some links and I was able to get my pictures, downloads etc back.

I have done everything I can without changing the registry, went into safe mode, removed all system restore dates
except the most recent after i scanned. I have firewall, microsoft security and malware and have run scans everyday.

So until my brother comes over to work on this I will not be emailing anyone    Or adding any links on webpages etc.
Even though its deleted from computer don't want to take the chance of "infecting" someone else.

So just a warning if anything pops up on your computer be very wary. It might look like a windows warning
and look legit but it might not be.

My Mom's computer acting funny too. She has Norton and all protections.

I have microsoft security essentials , firewall etc and it still got through.

Quoted from rpforpres

The other day the computer had a screen pop up that "looked" legit about warning of a risk to computer, then a bunch of other windows popped up, my son tried deleting them but they would pop up too fast to get rid of. Shut down
computer, restarted and had nothing. lost everything on main page, lost everything on start, couldn't go to system
restore but other son told me to type it in search and it did come up. Was able to get online, but when typing in a page would bring me to weird sites. Computer is VERY slow. Have done Windows security scan, malware scan etc. etc.

The virus is called Trojan:Win32/fakesysdef.  It showed up on maleware scan and I got rid of it, but what happens is it
changes registry items in the computer. I called microsoft but don't know if you know even calling their number can
send you to one of their "subcontractors". I got a guy from who knows where, I could hardly understand him, but he
wanted to charge $99.00 to get into my computer and make changes. Told him no as dont have anything left on my
credit card, but he was nice enough to send me some links and I was able to get my pictures, downloads etc back.

I have done everything I can without changing the registry, went into safe mode, removed all system restore dates
except the most recent after i scanned. I have firewall, microsoft security and malware and have run scans everyday.

So until my brother comes over to work on this I will not be emailing anyone    Or adding any links on webpages etc.
Even though its deleted from computer don't want to take the chance of "infecting" someone else.

So just a warning if anything pops up on your computer be very wary. It might look like a windows warning
and look legit but it might not be.

My Mom's computer acting funny too. She has Norton and all protections.

I have microsoft security essentials , firewall etc and it still got through.

"Your computer is infected" fake anti-virus pop-up alert scams

"Warning—your computer is infected! System detected virus activities. They may cause critical system failure. Click here to get available software."

You may be one of the numerous people who have received similar pop-up alerts. They commonly appear after you open an email attachment, download files, visit websites programmed to download malicious software or click on a pop-up advertisement.

SCAMwatch warns consumers to be wary of fake anti-virus alerts. NEVER click on pop-up anti-virus alerts.

Scammers often use the names of well-known companies that specialise in computer software to gain your trust. The pop-up advertisements aim to mimic genuine warning alerts generated by computer security software.

The software or "free scan" offered in pop-up alerts often doesn't work or actually infects your computer with the dangerous programs it is supposed to protect against.

This scam aims to either charge you for bogus software and/or obtain your personal information. Once your computer is infected, the scammer commonly gathers personal information to steal your identity or to sell it to other criminals.

Although the majority of anti-virus pop-up alerts are fake, there is an off-chance that you have received a legitimate virus warning. If you are unsure whether it is a genuine warning, check the official virus page of your anti-virus vendor or ask a computer professional.
Warning signs

    * Fake anti-virus spyware programs often generate more "alerts" than the software made by reputable companies.
    * You may be bombarded with pop-up alerts, even when you're not online.
      
    * Scammers commonly use high pressure sales tactics to convince you to buy NOW!
      
    * The alert may request you to pass on the "warning" to "others in your address book" or "everyone you know".
      
    * Broken or oddly phrased English.
      
    * The message is not addressed to a specified recipient, instead it is addressed to the 'account holder' or uses another generic title.
    * If your computer has been infected, it may dramatically slow down. Other signs that your computer has been infected include new desktop icons, new wallpaper or your default homepage is redirected to another site.  

Protect yourself

    * NEVER click on pop-up alerts! Don't even click on the cross to delete the pop-up alert as this may result in getting more pop-ups. Instead, hit control + alt + delete to view a list of programs currently running and delete the pop-up alert from the list of running programs.
    * Use reputable pop-up blocker software to avoid pop-ups on your computer.
    * Keep your computer updated with the latest anti-virus and anti-spy ware software. Also use a good firewall.
    * NEVER open email attachments unless you can verify the sender and you trust them.
    * NEVER click on the links in spam email.
    * NEVER rely on the contact details provided in a pop-up message. Instead, find your anti-virus vendor's contact details through an internet search.
    * Avoid questionable websites. Some sites may automatically download malicious software on to your computer.  

Report

Report the matter to the ACCC's Infocentre on 1300 302 502 or visit the report a scam page in SCAMwatch.
More information

Explore SCAMwatch to find out more about scams that commonly target Australians.

If you don't have anti virus, install avg free anti virus. It works well and is the most popular free anti virus.

http://free.avg.com/us-en/free-antivirus-download

Save all your personal files and photos. Mailing them to yourself saves them for you.

Next, run the system recovery program to completely put your computer back to factory original.

Did it make it so you cant use any .exe?...Such as you can't open any program?

Folks it is very important to understand that by clicking the close X on the various windows that popup that is actually how you are infecting the computer. They get ya by using the close X on the popups.

It is not just installing the rogue program that will do it. I have had folks who actually paid to get the programs to add to the mess.  Those alerts are really sneaky for sure!  They look so legitimate.

Needless to say those that bought the fake programs I immediately had them cancel the credit card used!

To get out of these pop-ups without infecting your computer hold down the ALT key then press F4 it will clear your screen safely

I find that the Microsoft Security Essentials antivirus/antimalware program to be very good and free to put on your systems.  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials  At the top of the page just choose the windows version you have and click download.

L4L  good advice about control alt delete !!!

Buck when it initially happpened I could do nothing, not open anything, most of my files were gone (hidden)

Cel-I have microsoft security essentials and still got it    But at least when I did a full scan it did find the trojan and I was able to delete it.

So now even though I have most files back, photos , downloads etc, and even though I deleted past restore points computer still slow and when I go to shut it down shows something running and it force quits.

And I'm very careful with what I open, if I don't recognize an email or just somethings not right I NEVER open them just delete them.  I only go to good websites, but this virus kept redirecting my pages to some gambling and other strange sites.

I think I'm 3/4 there to getting everything back, just need my brother to fix the registry (he a computer expert (nerd).

When this first happened and I called him he kept saying "oh this is not good"  Then I knew I was in deep