help with my computer..........strange virus

[gordie]

In the last few weeks it has become noticeable that my computer is giving me strange messages. It is using friends names from facebook and passwords from the East Dulwich Forum to inform me of stuff that may or may not apply/be of interest to me. This is very disconcerting as EDF paswords are supposed to be very private as is facebook stuff or am I just too naiive? I have also received a letter (posted to my correct home address) from CHINA telling me that my brother (correct name) has died and left me money etc - FROM CHINA?? I don't know anyone in China. Is anyone out there experiencing problems like this with their computer. Any ideas? This is really happening and I am just a little more than concerned.

[benmorg]

Sounds like malicious software has got into your computer. Keep your computer switched off. Log onto your e-mail, facebook and every other frequently used websites from another computer connection and change all your passwords asap. Next time you switch your computer on, run a full virus scan. Download spybot search and destroy and run a full scan with that.

If you want to be sure to get rid of the problem, manually back up any valuable files from your comptuter (documents, pictures, music, etc.). The get someone to completely reinstall the operating system and delete everything from the hard disk. It should get rid of any malicious software and will probably make the computer faster too. Then put back the files you've backed up.

[right-clicking]

Hi It sounds to me you have spyware and it has gotten into your contacts lists from your various accounts,benmorg mentioned running spybot, 1st try this; hit f8 on the bios splash screen before windows loads, then go into safe mode, navigate to system restore and choose show older points, go back to before the bug showed itself (even further to be sure) and then exit out of safe mode.

all changes made on your system since that date are gone (including malicious software) Then run spybot. and you should be clean. run your anti-virus as well , run disc clean to rid the dead files. re-installing is laborious but as mentioned it will restore it afresh and of coarse deal with your compromised accounts. . if you need any more help pm me! right-clicking

[Loz]

I would borrow a friends computer and change ALL your passwords, especially for banking, etc. If you do it on yours (before cleaning it) then any spyware may just record the change.

[gordie]

Thank you to eveyone for helping me sort this out - i have followed advice given and am hoping for the best! Thanks again. G