Help....computer is messed up

[linanglab]

Came back from cincinnati Monday night. Got on our computer, and it was screwed up. It was turned on - I had turned it off before we left. The "home" page is now changed and I keep getting pop up ALL over the place (never had them before) even though my pop up settings are the same. It is running very slow. I ran my Norton and it cleaned up some things. I deleted some files. Things I deleted were not even on there BEFORE we left. So...the only thing I can think, is that someone used our computer while we were gone. Our neighbor is the only one who had the key....I know she didn't use the computer. not sure about her DH. They said they didn't even go inside because they could not get the key to work.

I was frustrated but now I am mad, because just a minute ago, all of these porn sites kept popping up with TERRIBLE pics on them. My 13 & 11 year old boys have been using it for research papers. I am in the room all the time they are on the computer, so I know it was not them looking at things. They are not allowed to be on the computer if we are not in the room. I do not want these pop ups to keep popping up with them on the computer.

Sooo....any help? Plus...the history was deleted. VERY unusual. I have it set to delete in a week. It was cahnged to daily, so now I cannot see what anyone was on.

[SunshineGirl]

That would really worry me. Someone had to have used your computer and there is no telling what it is infected with. Porn popping up is usually the most obvious sign that people were visiting websites that installed stuff on your system (even if they were not actually visiting porn--it could just be various viruses and adware).

[askomsky]

I have to agree with Tricia, some spyware or adware somehow got installed and it had to be SOMEONE using it. Sorry, but I'm guessing one of them got on (possibly your neighbors DH?) and knew enough to delete history etc. PC's don't just automatically change their settings unless something was done to them. Do you have a spyware/adware program to run?

[mia214jia]

Well for it to be on when you got back.... I think that someone had to turn it on. And for all that other stuff, we got that too awhile back. My DH said it was from emails with BAD cookies and websites with adware? And they are very hard to get rid of. He had to completely reboot our computer. Going in and :computer: deleting everything and then using the hardware that came with the computer and reloading it. Thats how we got rid of it all. Before you do that you will need to write down all your emails and fav. websites then save everything to a disk that you want to keep.
Oh yeah ... I'd be lettin everyone know how Pi**ed off I was including the neighbors! With a woman scorned someone will eventually break thier silence and spill thier guts!

[faithhope]

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I would freak if someone used my computer and messed it up that much.

You need to do more than just a virus scan...some sort of spyware scanning tool is needed. hopefully you can get it back to normal without having to do a complete reinstall...

[m 'n c]

Oh god angela! That sucks. Ok you did well by starting Norton. Now I would suggest using the adaware program and spybot to see if you can pick up the remaining things. If not you are probably looking at a system restore (sucks but is not the end of the world).

[bartleby1]

Oh yuck - sorry you caught a virus of some sort! I picked up a bad one last week. Thankfully, I caught it before it did too much damage. The one I had took over my virus software and tried to get me to download "updates" for my software but I found out that if I had it would have made the virus even worse. DH had one a few months back on his laptop that changed his homepage and had a ton of popups also, many of them porn too. He thought he got it cleared up but then his computer would randomly play music at odd times. Very wierd.

I hope you get it cleaned up without too much trouble! Viruses stink!

[JOLAROCHE]

Can You Restore It T a previous Date. Also You Can Intall Avg It Is Free And I Find It Works Better Than Norton .

[linanglab]

I am taking the computer to the doctor! LOL. I have a friend who is a teacher and they have a computer lab tech thing going on there. He told me to bring in the computer and they will fix it for free.

So....if anything major happens here on SR, make sure you all have Jen text me! (I am a bit upset that I won't have SR for a few days. Not sure I will survive!)

[MrsWonka]

I am taking the computer to the doctor! LOL. I have a friend who is a teacher and they have a computer lab tech thing going on there. He told me to bring in the computer and they will fix it for free.

So....if anything major happens here on SR, make sure you all have Jen text me! (I am a bit upset that I won't have SR for a few days. Not sure I will survive!)

It will be so lonely without you!!! And no new pictures for Friday:cry::cry:

[linanglab]

The good thing is, is that I got survey 22 done today! As long as it credits, I will be a happy, bouncy SR member! Bring on that $6.00!!!!! After all, you got to look at the important things in life! :rotfl:

[kvmj]

Actually, your computer has been hijacked. It's pretty complicated getting rid of it. Probably best to see the doctor.

[SunshineGirl]

I am taking the computer to the doctor! LOL. I have a friend who is a teacher and they have a computer lab tech thing going on there. He told me to bring in the computer and they will fix it for free.

So....if anything major happens here on SR, make sure you all have Jen text me! (I am a bit upset that I won't have SR for a few days. Not sure I will survive!)

Hey!! Where are you?? Jen, have you heard from her?

[Magical JenK]

Hey!! Where are you?? Jen, have you heard from her?

Yes, yesterday I texted her...I didn't know about this thread or I would have posted...sorry.

Anyway, computer is still out as of yesterday afternoon. She was hoping to have it back last night or today.

Kids last day of school is today, she said she misses SR, but her house is spotless!:rotfl:

[disney_girl]

Well let her know she has been missed around here!! Hope the computer situation is fixed soon!!

[JillyFish]

Gosh, I hadn't seen this thread, but I wondered where Angela was. What a mess! I hope they get it fixed for her and she gets back here soon!

Tell her we miss her Jen!

[ligrumpygirl]

ANGELA!! We miss you!!

[linanglab]

I am back! Computer is better. They totally had to redo it. I will be playing around with it trying to refind everything......Missed being here! Missed earning money....But MOSTLY missed yapping! My house is much cleaner though! LOL

[SunshineGirl]

Did you ever figure out how it happened?

[askomsky]

WHOO HOOOOOOOOO She's back!!! We missed yoU!

Wish my house was that clean! lol

[linanglab]

Austin downloaded a game - I knew he was playing it, but did nto realize it was a download (some pirate game). It was FULL of viruses.....

[JillyFish]

YEAH!!!!!! Welcome Back Angela!!!!!!

:party:

[ligrumpygirl]

So glad you are back! Hope to see you in chat tomorrow!

[pbhall13]

Angela...........

so glad you are back!!!!!!!!

[Magical JenK]

Yay!!! She's back!!

[linanglab]

Hate not having a computer! And I hate trying to play computer catch up. TONS of emails. Anything go on here that I have missed? Trying to catch up on some older posts....

[Sunni]

Welcome back Angela! :banana:
We missed you.

[arob414]

Welcome Back!!!

[disneyforever]

Welcome Back! :cooldance:

It is really so sad (and maddening :mad: ) that some people have nothing better to do
than create those viruses and try to destroy other peoples computers.