gnome or KDE? which kernel? distro?
apple or pc?!

Edited at 16:43 Fri 2/03/07 (GMT)

spinner it still hasn't helped, the computer is running slower than usual and i'm getting 4 specific pop ups every time. i've run the scans multiple times, and they do continue to find things, but this is getting a little ridiculous. the computer is going out the window in a few minutes...

Ok. First thing i just have to ask is if you're still using Firefox? This is precisely the reason i dont reccomend it.

best i can suggest is using the system restore (start>accessories>system tools) to restore your computer to a time before you had the problems.

(Magic - so far i've tried Slackware and Redhat Distro's, i dont know any more than that 'cause if it dont work right out of the box i'm not interested - will ask you sometime online, dont wanna go OT)

actually, the problems all started with i.e. so i think maybe firefox is the best option. when i was getting the popups, they were always on ie. windows even when i was using firefox. then i uninstalled firefox and only used ie. and it was about 10 times worse. now i'm back on firefox and i haven't had a pop up in awhile. so to me, i.e. is the real problem....

You could try this link.

http://www.the-spyware-world.com/latest-spyware-threats/amaena-com/?gclid=CL7h6oOv2YoCFQMvlAodkW9oxA

A major problem with IE is it's popularity. As it comes embedded in Windows, most users just don't bother to download an alternative browser. It stands to reason, therefore, that there are far more attempts to create malware targeting IE, than for other browsers. Add to that the fact that IE is wide open to threats, and well... you get the picture.

I deleted everything IE related from my computer a few weeks ago, and I've had no popups of that nature since.

If you manage to fix the problem I recommend downloading Opera 9. It's easy to use, faster than IE and Firefox, and has plenty of features.
Netscape 8.1 looks great, is heavy on features, runs at a similar speed to IE, and is compatible with all sites that run on IE and Firefox.
K-Meleon is probably the fastest browser out there, but very light on features. Ideal for older machines.

Well glad you got it sorted!

I can see the reason for the confusion, and its very common. The link you sent was from a piece of malware, which would use your default browser to open (which seems to be IE).

This is a good example of Firefox's security issues. In its default setup it lets websites install programs on your computer without warning/prompting you like IE or Opera.

Anyways, you've given the comp a good spring clean and AVG and defender are the best availiable, so not an entirely wasted excercise.

but spinner, firefox is and was (when i sent you that link) my default browser, which is why it confused me even more as to why it opened up in an ie link. things aren't really fixed now, but they will do because i've given up. i'm not a computer person, and not sure i ever will be. thanks though


and schulendiner thanks for those links

No problem. Hope it works

i hope so too, i'm running on opera now, so we'll see how it works!!!

One more thing you can try is this : http://secured2k.home.comcast.net/tools/VirtumundoBeGone.exe

Its just a simple removal tool which will ignore the way in which the trojan was installed.