Val turned the computer on today and discovered a nasty virus called, "Desktop Security 2010".  Looks like a Microsoft product so it could easily confuse people.

She called me over and I tried for the next few hours to remove.  Doesn't like me trying to remove it but I think I may have a solution.  We'll see and I'll let you know.

Andy... google it.... lots of free removal tools... it's just a fake virus.

It only attacks mini-van users...

I did all the removal stuff and the thing has disabled the internet access and various security programs. I guess it goes in a deletes files so they can't be used.

I replaced the computer with a computer I have at home to get back to work. I will have my son reformat the drive and install a fresh version of XP on it. At least it will be fast again.

Thankfully I have a server and the files were not affected by the virus, only the computer.

Those virus folks should be slapped around a bit.

Andy we had to deal with the same virus.  After we reformatted the hard drive and got it working again an IT friend suggested 2 things.

1. download and run the free version of Malwarebytes (works great) http://www.malwarebytes.org/  Even when you have the blue screen of death and open in safe mode this little guy will get the computer up and running again.  This is the only one that i have found that works.

2.  download and run the free version of CCCleaner (works great) http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner  This one when ran once a week will keep your computer clean and running fast.

I loaded and ran these both on an old laptop and bang, it's working fine again.  Now these two are on all of our computers.

Good Links, Thanks Terry.

I used the MalwareBytes to rid the Desktop security but I am now going to just reformat the computer for the kids.

I think I will run purchase the malware software so I can set up scheduling.