Virus (maybe)

[kevo]

Now i don't have too much information about this so bear with me!! i am going over there tomorrow.

I have a friend that phoned my and thinks he has a virus. It all happened when he got this e-mail from another friend. About 4 hours later the other friend e-mailed him back and said not to open it, but he did. Now, all of a sudden on his desktop there is a picture of 3 snakes and there was a message saying "if you have this you have been hacked!!". He says there seems to be nothing going on so far but now he is worried.

To me I believe it is one of those pop up windows from the internet, but who knows. So far i know he is running windows 98 and no virus protection(i know, i know). Now if it is a virus what steps could i take to get rid of it. I am buying him a good anti-virus protection software for him. What would be the best buy, i am thinking any Mcafee protection, what do you think??

any information would be great. sorry for the lack of information.

so my 2 mjor questions are:1 what is a good anti-virus software 2: and if it is a virus what steps can i take to get rid of it

kevo:

[EvilRick]

AVG is FREE!

I have/use Norton, but will switch to AVG after a clean install within the next few days.

I would also run Ad-Aware to rid yourself of any "spyware" that might be tied to these snakes.

Other than that . . .

I've never heard of this virus, sounds like B.S. to me.

[JacobM5727]

here is a free online scanner
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

if it is a virus, look for it on google or something, as most major ones have their own removal steps..

[NeoStarO1]

Hi Kevo,

welcome to TechIMO!!!

Here are some links for you.

AVG AntiVirus (Freeware)
Many of us use this freeware antivirus program without any problems.

Now to help the current problem to see if he has a virus. Get online and point your mouse to the following link.

Trend Free Online Virus Scanner: No registration required

If you have any other problems please post back and also with name of virus if possible.


Edit: Wowwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! Two people beat me to the punch and thier was no post.

Thanks and welcome!

[kevo]

Alright!! thank u for the advice. after tomorrow i will keep u up to date and see if there is any other problems. I agree with EvilRick, it is probably one of those wonderful pop ups. thanks again, you were my last resort and u came through with something. I will definitely come back here if i have more problems!! also i ad-ware and AVG good software?? i want to give him something he can trace, track Etc.., what do u guys think?? and i assume he is using Outlook is there a website to update it or do i have to buy the product.