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General discussion

AVG Starts a Scan?

Feb 8, 2011 8:30PM PST

Windows Vista Home Premium. Lenovo PC Desktop.
Microsoft Essentials Security and Spybot.
While surfing the internet suddenly AVG starts a scan saying the computer has Malware/ Trojans etc. (I do not have AVG installed)!
I try and stop the scan and cannot.
Eventually up comes all the stuff AVG has found and says "Remove whatever". I press the remove button and AVG now says you need a KEY to start the process. Cost $79.95.
This I can't afford and then my screen goes totally blank. I cannot open Internet Explorer.
I run M/Soft Essentials and Spybot but both don't pick up anything.
Eventually I do a "System Restore" and all comes right.
My question is could AVG have placed this bad stuff on my computer? If there is Malware, Trojans etc. and I have now gone back to a restore point will the bad stuff also be removed.
Please advise and assist with thanks.

Discussion is locked

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It's malware
Feb 8, 2011 10:13PM PST

It's malware, and while AVG does have a couple of somewhat suspect business practices related to their subscription service, this is the latest variation in a long running scam program. It's not made by Grisoft, makers of AVG, it's just made to LOOK like the AVG software.

This bit of malware has gone by name different names, but AntivirusXP is one of them that should be enough to get you started when googling for instructions on eradicating it.

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AVG starts a Scan. it's malware
Feb 9, 2011 4:11AM PST

Thanks Jimmy.

"My question is could AVG have placed this bad stuff on my computer? If there is Malware, Trojans etc. and I have now gone back to a restore point will the bad stuff also be removed".

So far the computer is working fine.

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This sounds like
Feb 9, 2011 4:17AM PST

This sounds like what would happen if you installed the "not free" version of AVG.

Or there is some trojan, malware that is masqurading as AVG! Which is something we've seen before.

--> You write about Spybot but that's the old advice. Grif will bring you up to speed with newer scans and advice at http://forums.cnet.com/7726-19411_102-5070551.html?tag=posts;msg5070551

Bob