Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

"Windows Security Alert" Virus

Jun 20, 2010 7:53AM PDT

My friend talked me into downloading a game that he said was clean of viruses. You can see where this went.

The little security pop-up comes up every ten or so seconds saying "Windows Security Alert: Application cannot be executed. The file wuauclt.exe is infected. Do you want to activate you antivirus software now?". It's now McAffee or the other Antivirus program I downloaded, and it keeps bringing up porno.org on IE.

It won't let me bring up task bar, I can't delete the game I think gave it to me (XIII, it's an mmofps), and it exits my antivirus programs whenever I try to bring them up for a scan. I'm not really tech-savvy, and the only thing I can think to do is backup my important documents and re-install Windows (what we usually do, since we get a similar virus every few years. This one's on a different comp though). If that's the only option, I can do it; all I have is a few digital art pieces and Portal.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Sorry for the delay.
Jun 20, 2010 11:12PM PDT
- Collapse -
Before reinstalling Windows...
Jun 21, 2010 4:42AM PDT

You can try using the Malicious Software Removal Tool, which is a free tool from Microsoft. It will scan your computer and then try to remove any viruses it finds. http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.aspx

If all else fails and you cannot seem to remove the virus, reinstalling Windows is an option. And, in the future do some research before downloading any games or software on your computer Happy

Cheers,
Cassandra

- Collapse -
"Windows Security Alert" Virus
Jun 22, 2010 5:42AM PDT

hi,
If you are using pirated win OS the microsoft malware will either stop proper functioning of os or will not let you boot altogether.

- Collapse -
virus removal
Jun 22, 2010 11:19AM PDT

You may need to download Malwarebyte's Anti-malware to a thumb drive from another computer. After you get the program, boot your problem computer up in Safe Mode. Run Malwarebyte from the thumb drive (follow the instruction on the website) and with a bit of luck, that will clean your system up.

- Collapse -
This product really works!
Aug 14, 2010 6:21AM PDT

Completely resolved my problem by deleting all infected files - thanks a lot!

- Collapse -
So your system is Windows 7?
Aug 14, 2010 7:15AM PDT

Only you've also posted in the Windows XP and the Windows Vista forums

Mark

- Collapse -
No my system is Vista
Aug 14, 2010 8:41AM PDT

I posted to the XP forum because that is the thread I found first and I did not know what I was doing. Then I realised I should be posting on the Vista forum so I created a new subject there. But then I found this thread which helped me to resolve the problem so, although my system is Vista, I wanted to thank the poster on the Windows 7 forum who helped me to resolve my problem.

- Collapse -
windows security alert
Sep 14, 2010 9:18PM PDT

I got rid of the nasty little ****** that would not let me get on the internet to download anything by turning off my modem. I then used the system restore to go back a few days.