Possible virus??

[getbent]

If I go to a webpage, today it was HAC and click on a teacher's name to email, a box appears that says "Could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed". Does that mean mine or theirs? Then a few seconds later lots and lots of IE windows open, as in the pic. Sometimes the only way to escape it is to shut my computer off. I believe my daughter tried to email a teacher from the schools website and the same thing happened. I have ran Microsoft Securities Essential and Spybot Search and Destroy. I've also done a free Hitman one as well. Any ideas? Anyone else have any problems with school/teacher emails? Is it just me? TIA.

 

[getbent]

Sorry, forgot to post the pic.

 

[red_explorer]

try using mozilla? Or google chrome?

 

[LostNFound]

Sounds like browser hijacking. Quick fix is use a real browser. Malware bytes may help. Fixing the security settings on IE may help.
Browser Hijacking | Browser Hijacking Fix | Browser Hijacking Removal

Try that link to see if you can help yourself- good luck!

 

[Zguy28]

I honestly would reload Windows if you know how. Surprisingly, and I know from first hand experience in IT dealing with zero day exploits and advanced persistent threats, AVG is actually a pretty good product. One piece of unique malware I have seen was only detected by 2 av products, AVG was one.

Then go and download EMET from Microsoft. It's free and set it to the recommended security, not max. It will save you a lot of these headaches going forward.

 

[Caution]

"Could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed"

As for that part I have gotten it before if MY email client was not installed on the machine I am using. I only keep Outlook installed on one computer and if I am at another one if I forget and try to click a link to email someone it gives me that result.

As for the windows endlessly popping up. Ya that has to be something you have picked up somehow. Never had it. I run Symantec products on my machines and have done so for years so have never had to troubleshoot anything like that.

Good Luck.

 

[getbent]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Later, after I get all the yard work done, ill sit down and try a few. Please keep posting if you have anything different that might work or if you've had success with these suggestions.

 

[czygvtwkr]

Microsoft Security Scanner, it is free and updated about once a week.

Microsoft Safety Scanner - Free online tool for PC health and safety

 

[getbent]

Thanks I'll try that. Apparently my Microsoft updates are not going through either. Not sure how long that's been going on. Only 1 of 6 updated. I tried their troubleshooting stuff but the couple of things I did, didn't do anything. Maybe I should change my major :/

 

[GURPS]

sounds like you have a browser hijack or virus
[some process or program]
trying to open outlook or outlook express to spam your contacts

 

[getbent]

sounds like you have a browser hijack or virus
[some process or program]
trying to open outlook or outlook express to spam your contacts

Funny you say that. I just had to contact Metrocast because my email quit working. They shut down the account because it was spamming people. They had me change my password and told me to run my virus scan before using. I did that and nothing showed up. A lot of the forums for this stuff talk like everyone is supposed to know the lingo, which I don't know (well, some of it). I really don't want to have to pay someone to fix it if I don't have to but don't want to screw up my computer either. Grrrrrr.

 

[LostNFound]

buy an external drive- back up everything important and try to fix it yourself.
I cant dx online but my guess is whats going on is fixable without tools- in other words its just dancing around parts of the computer you dont normally mess with. Learning isnt always fun- but long ago I decided its lame enough I cant work on my own car- I am NOT going to own another expensive-to-replace-but-unable-to-live-without device - and not know how to care for it.

I imagine we're always going to own computers- they are always going to be prone to viruses or break. We have to know how to fix minor issues and if not anyone can learn to back up whats important and do a wipe and reinstall and start from scratch.