Norton Anti Virus help please

[david uk]

Hi

help!

I have run into something unexopected while doing my virus scan and wondered whether Ben, John or any other knowledgeable person would be able to help.

My scan reveled:

0 Infected files
2 At-risk files

threat name Win anti spyware

It then said "we recommend that you let us delete all of the selected itmes automatically. Deleteing will premanently removed the selected files from your computer. Deleted security risks will be backed up in Quarantine if you need to retrieve them later"

Now yesterday I clicked on the delete button but when I ran the scan again this morning I got the same result.

I have 2 questions:

1. Is this serious ?
2. What should I do?

thanks my friends

d x

[RedjackRyan]

David,

the instructions at this link should help.

http://www.pchelpforum.com/fixed-hijackthis-logs/11921-fixed-winfixer-win-antispyware-removal.html

Skip down to the third post in the thread.

Or you can try the Symantec way..

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2006-030709-2859-99&tabid=3

[david uk]

Thanks Ben.....

I think I am unable to follow those instructions at the moment as I had a very bad night's sleep and can't concentrate....

would it be really risky if I left it till tomorrow?

[RedjackRyan]

It seems to be an advertising thing not a malicious one, you should be alright waiting a day. since you'll be mucking with the registry you'll want a clear head.

[david uk]

Thanks Ben :)

that reassures me quite a bit.

[RedjackRyan]

Anytime, David. let me know how you make out.

[janisian]

And for what it's worth (maybe Redjack can verify this?), the one time I got a virus - which Norton grabbed and warned me about - I called Symantec, who were incredibly helpful. The person I spoke with warned me to never shut down my computer if it happened again; apparently some viruses are triggered when you re-boot. His advice was to stay up and running, call Symantec, and let them walk me through.
I know a lot of techies (our Ubergeek John included) aren't fond of Norton, but it's always worked great for me.
(She said, crossing her fingers...)

[RedjackRyan]

I believe you are correct, Janis. I do remember a few virii that were activated when the system rebooted, the ones i recall would then proceed to happily munch away at your data.

Norton takes a lot of abuse and not all of it unwarranted, it is no where near the product it used to be ..but thats neither here nor there. If it works for you, use it. I'm sure your lack of virus infection is due to safe computer habits in addition to properly maintained Antivirus software.

[DaveM]

My computer came with Norton, though the subscription ran out after 90 days and I really didn't consider it worth spending the money to extend it. Every time Norton has warned me of a virus, I have had to download another program or go to a web site somewhere to actually remove it.

Bit Defender and (I think) AntiVir are still free--mind, Bit Defender has yet to detect so much as a suspicious file on my new machine so it has either gone downhill or I have been very very lucky.

[Amy in Vermont]

I'm a long time Norton/Symantec user. We also use it at work. I've had few problems with it, and have managed to stay uninfested since my computer succumbed to the Chernobyl virus in 1998.

We also use Trend Micro's House Calls on line virus scanner whe we are cleaning up infected machines.

[david uk]

I have yet to take the necessary action redjack recommended since the day before yesterday but all seems fine on my computer.

I am just wondering why Norton didn't warn me of the "threat"

I might be calling someone out to finally solve my cd drive problem in the next few days so I will ask them to check that out to.

[NinasSpaceChild]

I find Norton very confusing too. I just downloaded the new 2007 version a week ago and still haven't worked it out. It keeps freezing when scanning for some reason. I'll get there. It really is worth it if it protects your computer.

On my old computer I had a virus that destroyed javascript completley and that was a real missery.