From Forumer's Support Forum All the forums on the list have now been switched to "Ads by Google" And we're clean.

HELP! Somehow this virus got on my computer, and it's now holding it hostage. For some reason I can use IE and AOL (there is also the "Open With" virus as well as the false Windows security virus, which went berserko on me yesterday). I've been trying fixes all afternoon, and then I checked this entry. But when I go into C:/Users etc., there's nothing unusual in there. I can't get into the registry...I might just kill myself.

You couldn't have gotten it from HHoW - we were switched back to Google ads in November. You should install and run the full scan of Malwarebytes. It's free: http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php Also, if you can access IE and AOL, you can get the start menu on your computer, run System Restore from the directions that I texted you if Malwarebytes doesn't find anything.

Thanks. I couldn't get that far, but my brother, a computer animator, came up this morning and spent four hours fixing it. Itunes and Quicktime aren't working, but after the nightmare of yesterday, I'm just happy to have my machine back. ETA: I didn't think I got it from HHOW, but the description was the same.

This isn't HHoW related, but a friend on my e-cig forum who does computer maintenance professionally just posted this: Just a heads up. An old infection has been retooled and is making a major comeback. I have seen three of these in less than a week. Its called "System Tool". After you get infected with it, a fake malware "cleaner" pops up: Like most of this breed, it holds your computer hostage, thwarting attempts to remove it, begging for your credit card number and generally annoying the :censored: out of you. The goal of the authors of this crap is to separate you from your money and credit card number. An excellent site to find removal guides for this crap is BleepingComputer.com. It's free, and if you establish an account there, you can get free online help in the forum. ETA: He added There is way too much of this crap out there and you don't even have to click on anything stupid to get infected. Its sad, but it is the way of the internet now. :( It's all about stealing your money, or worse, your identity. Most folks dont realize that their other software needs to be up to date, not just Windows or Apple software..... Adobe Flash, Acrobat, Java, Shockwave Player, Real Player, Quicktime, iTunes, Firefox, Safari, Chrome..... yada.... :censored:ing... yada. All of this client software has to be kept up to date, because all have holes, that when discovered, others will take advantage of. :( Secunia makes a fine tool for finding and updating your out of date software. It is free for home use.

I was just infected with that last week. I have no idea how I got it. I couldn't use my anti virus or spyware to remove it. So, I ended up taking it to Best Buy Geek squad.

I haven't seen this exact one, but I've been battling Anti-Virus 2009, 2010 and similar rogue antivirus programs for the past 2 years. Bleepingcomputer.com gave me the best advice to get rid of them and I didn't even have to register.