The Digital Surgery (computer questions/problems here)

[barrys]

I have some "suspicious items" threatening my computer according to Avast.

These items come under the category of win32:Evo-gen and win32:Adware-gen

I have run full scans with Avast, Spybot and Malwarebytes

Avast says it is blocking these items, but they keep reappearing every 20 minutes or so and Avast blocks them again.

It's getting a wee bit annoying.

Does anyone know an uncomplicated way of getting rid of these critters for good?

[Norseman]

Have a read here: http://malwaretips.com/blogs/win32adware-gen-removal/
and here: http://malwaretips.com/blogs/win32evo-gen-susp-virus/

You should be able to delete the potential viruses.

[lomuamart]

I've been cleaning up my computer, running ccleaner and other stuff.
Automatic updates has appeared again. It's switched off but I'd just like to get rid of the icon. Can someone tell me how to do that?

[PET]

I've been cleaning up my computer, running ccleaner and other stuff.
Automatic updates has appeared again. It's switched off but I'd just like to get rid of the icon. Can someone tell me how to do that?

What are the two best recommended cleaners please?

[buksida]

lomu: Right click the red security icon and it'll give you some options to turn things off. Alternatively go to Control Panel > System Security > Windows Update > Change Settings > Never Check (Win 7)

PET: I've always used Spybot SD, ccleaner is also good.

[lomuamart]

I'm running XP. When I go to control panel, there's an icon for automatic updates. When I open that it's set to turn off automatic updates but I don't see anything to get rid of the icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen just along from the time.

[buksida]

That'll be the security center...

Click on the Start button and then click on Run
In the Open: field, type wscui.cpl and press OK button.
In the resources section on the left side of the Security Center click on the link labeled Change the way Security Center alerts me.
To enable a particular alert, place a checkmark next to it. To disable the alert, remove the checkmark.
Press the OK button.
Close the Security Center window.

[Big Boy]

I'm sure buksi's advice is also right, (as I've already typed this while buksi posted) but to get rid of the icon I would:

Hit your Windows icon in the bottom left, and type msconfig into the search box. This will bring up your System Configuration dialogue box.

Click the startup tab. This will list all programs that start when your computer starts. You can basically uncheck everything except your virus guard and firewall boxes.

When you accept, you will have to restart your machine. When it restarts, accept whatever it asks you (I remember a message, but not what it says). Your icon will be gone.

Don't worry, if you uncheck too much, and something stops running, you just repeat the process, and re-check whatever box you shouldn't have unchecked.

This will also increase the speed your machine works at.

[lomuamart]

Thanks. that got rid of it, buks.

[Roel]

I have a problem with one (and only this one) website. Not displaying correctly, throwing me out when I try to click a link, sometimes not accessible at all. It uses a lot of Java. Of course I googled the problem and found 1001 possible causes and 50,000 possible solutions. Tried a few, nothing helped so far.

The strange thing is I encounter the same problems with this particular website when accessing it from my laptop (Windows 8.1, Chrome) as well as from my office computer (Windows 7, Chrome) and these are in different locationd with different routers and IP addresses. Other users of this site do not report any problems.

PS Does not work using Firefox either.

Anyone any ideas and suggestion what to check.
I did all the obvious, re-installing Java, clearing cache, disabling add-ons, running various scans, etc. etc.

[buksida]

What is the site (PM if it breaks forum T&Cs)? If I get the same problems it is code errors at their end, if I don't we can investigate your machine ...

[Roel]

It's is in Dutch. I will pm you the log in and password.
PS Checking my machine is good but as stated I have the same problem at home on the laptop and at my work place on the desk top. Just did another MalwareBytes: found nothing.

[richard]

Anybody having problems with VPN connection? I use Strongvpn and for the past 24 hours I've had numerous problems connecting. Even their TeamViewer connection is down

[richard]

Problem seems to have solved itself. Gut feeling is it's to do with 3BB. Put a call in 4 hours ago to inquire and still no response. Never had much of a problem with 3BB in the past. Are they now falling apart or is someone giving them new directives?

[barrys]

I have some "suspicious items" threatening my computer according to Avast.
These items come under the category of win32:Evo-gen and win32:Adware-gen

Unfortunately, none of the suggestions could remedy this problem.
In the end, I was left with no other option but to reformat the hard disk.

Since then a different problem has occurred and I wonder if anyone knows the answer.

I use Microsoft Word a lot.
I often have to overwrite documents sent to me by other people.

The problem now is that, when I overwrite anything in Word, it does not retain the same font and switches to another one instead.

E.g. if the original font in Times New Roman, it changes to Angsana New.
If the original is Arial, it changes to Cordia New.

Normally, the default font in Word is Calibri, but when I open a blank document and start typing, it changes to Cordia New.

I've checked the Internet and have been through the procedures of changing the default font.
However, after saving it, it makes no difference when I start working on a document.

I've installed and uninstalled Word 2007, Word 2010 and Word 2013. It's doing the same with all of them.

Could it be there are some residual files in my system that are causing this? Does anyone have an idea how to cure this? It's driving me crazy!!!