Nasty Computer Virus.

Okay so, this morning my mom asked me to come help her with her computer because she can't access the internet. Basically, this 'antivirus program' blocks her from visiting any website she types in, saying it's a potential security threat and that she should scan her computer with this Windows Security thing (and when you get fed up and click OK, it asks you to purchase it... Or I guess I should say, it asks you to give it all of your personal info). Funny, though, that it even blocks the Microsoft website...

Anyway, it even has a tray icon that repeatedly says her system has been hijacked and tries running 'scans'. Having dealt with some pretty awful viruses myself, I promptly booted her PC in Safe Mode with Networking and went to go download AVG... but lo, it works even in SM! =/ So I am effectively blocked from browsing the web and thus, I can't install anything. Which is why I need your help.

HOWEVER I have found somewhat of a loophole, which may or may not come in handy. If I try accessing a webpage through a shortcut, like some shortcut to the company webpage that gets installed with programs you buy, it lets me access the site. From that point forward however, it all depends on the website I'm accessing. I.e., on Google if I try to search from the homepage, it blocks it, but on the AVG site I can navigate to the products page (unfortunately nowhere do I see a "download AVG free" link on the products page >>). I've only tried doing this in Safe Mode.

So... Any suggestions? I was thinking about putting the antivirus installer on my external hard drive and transferring it over manually, but I don't want the virus to spread onto it =/.

 

It sounds like I dealt with something similar, if not the exact virus you're talking about.

You could try just booting Windows normally, then opening up Task Manager. Look to see if there's a strange process running -- for me it was a string of numbers -- and disable it. You may be able to access the websites you couldn't before, and if that's the case, download and install some Anti-Virus and Malware Removal programs, and you should be good. If not, the external hard drive idea seems like your best bet. I don't think it will spread to the hard drive, but if you're really scared about it, which I know you might be because those can be expensive, just pick up a cheap flash drive from Best Buy. You won't need much storage, I just recently got a 4GB for $12, so yeah. If you want to be safe, invest a few bucks.