Right now I'm in Safe Mode, because my regular bootup won't work.

I got the FBI virus on Friday night after going through websites. I don't know why my computer didn't warn me like it normally does, but then again I haven't been updating my anti-malware program (that's my fault).

So it pops up saying, "We have locked your computer and we have tracked your IP address. You have been viewing kiddie porn websites, stealing money, using illegal files, etc. You have to pay a fine or else you will be prosecuted!!!"

I was freaking out at first when I was reading it, and I was thinking, "I haven't been looking up kids, I've been on adult websites checking out men!!!" Then I noticed that it demanded money.

We just learned about viruses in my computer tech class, which we will be taking a test on tomorrow. I knew it was a virus because it was asking for personal information and money (MoneyPak).

That's when I went to YouTube to look up how to get rid of it. I followed most of the instructions, however, some of them don't work because I am using an older Dell laptop from 2005-06, and it runs on Microsoft Windows XP.

I just updated "Malware-Bytes Anti Malware". I cleared a few infected files from there. Then, I checked my firewalls, and apparently they haven't been turned on the whole time, so I fixed that. I went to Microsoft Windows to see what I could do otherwise, and it said to install Microsoft Safety Scanner. Last night it found four infected files which it promised to get rid of. So I spent the whole day yesterday trying to fix my computer, and if it were up and running, it would have been easier to save some non-infected files to take to school to print out paper work for class.

Files cleared and it still runs slow without Safe Mode. All I want to do is get back to listening to music and using my laptop for future school work.

[optimize990h]

Leo Laporte, a guy who knows what to do in your situation, is likely going to tell you where are your recovery disks.This is the best way of not being cheated by people who claim they will clean your laptop of the virus. Sometimes it is difficult to remove the malware since it becomes part of your software.

I heard this happens a lot. Most times, especially with XP(it's old OS)wipe the drive and reinstall, uh, XP.

There is often no easy way out without buying a tablet or new laptop.

I don't agree with the idea that you need a new computer at all...do you have a local computer store? Even a larger store that sells office supplies can often get your computer fixed for you (at least, they offer similar services where I live). I know my local store will take my computer for a few days, clean it and update the whole thing for a set and reasonable price. Maybe you can look into something like that if you continue to have issues. I hate computer problems, they totally stress me out! Good luck to you and I hope you are able to get it fixed one way or another.

[(JD)]

Have you tried the free software Ad-Aware? It's from Lavasoft, free, downloadable from the internet and to tell you the truth it works for me when the big virus software misses something.... I had a free 4 year plan with McAfee and refuse to use it... (I use Avast and Ad-Aware--both free)...

oh yeah, download avast and see if it will remove that junk. Good wishes.

[IchbinkeinTeufel]

Wow, what an ugly, creepy virus. >.< You should be using a decent anti-virus/firewall suite. Whatever you're using can't be great if your PC got a virus like that. :| That Malware Bytes thing is good, but certainly not a substitution for a proper suite. I use Kaspersky's suite, which I got free, indefinitely, for as long as I'm with Barklay's and am on their Online Banking. I also recommend AVG's security suite, but IDK what that's like nowadays, as I've not used it in about a year or something. ZoneAlarm has a free suite, but it is a little aggressive, and while that does protect you, it can make it difficult to do some things.

Try to keep your stuff automatically updated, and failure to keep on top of these things, doesn't just risk your OS, but it risks your personal information/data! Best of luck getting rid of that evil virus.

Oh, 'n kudos for admitting looking at porn. I'm sure most of us do it. Haha We're only human, after all.

Oh, I should just point out that Windows XP is very old, and not well supported, nowadays. You're better off with Windows 7, or if you must, Windows 8. Windows XP is apparently ending all support in 2014, but also, the OS itself is older and therefore not as secure. I realise these things cost (an extortionate amount, and come with absurdly asinine licensing restrictions! I hate MS for that) but for security, features, speed, compatibility, and more, you have to admit, they are good things to have.

[(JD)]

IDK about Windows xp not well supported--- I haven't had an issue (I have an XP, Vista, and Windows 7) I have much more trouble with my Vista and often revert to the good ole XP

One in four men are addicted to porn. So sad. It could be you need to clear your cache of all the photos memory/recent sites & pages. The XP might not have enough RAM for keeping much ...

[BeenThereDunIt]

The first thing you should do in a situation like this is to attempt to restore your computer to a restore point prior to the tine you got the virus. I would post a link to how to do this but the forum is preventing me from doing so because I don't have a high enough post count.

[ptangptang]

Try superantispyware as well. That picked up malware that malwarebytes didn't.