Now that I got rid of the pop-ups I can't update my virus def. on Avast program. I got in touch with them and they did a test remotely it failed and they said I probably had a virus. They went on to say that they could do a one time removal for $119.99 (ouch) or for $199.99 (ouch ouch) they would remove any I got for a year. I didn't agree to either. This seems way out of line and I was wondering if anyone had a similar experience that was so costly. Can anyone offer a cheaper solution.

Thanks, Marie

If there is a community college in your area that teaches courses in computer repair, you might ask them if they'd like to fix your computer as an example for the class.

If you have a different, virus-free computer, you could download the iso for the Kaspersky rescue disc on the non-infected computer, burn it to DVD on the non-infected computer, boot off of the DVD with the infected computer, update definitions, and run its antivirus. This might work when Avast fails because antivirus can easily be blocked by viruses that are already installed and have control over the OS. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you're not going to be able to get rid of the virus yourself.

Inability to install virus updates is a common symptom of being infected.
It could also be that you broke something while trying to get rid of the popups that could be fixed by reinstalling the antivirus.

Assuming this is a virus, try to figure out where you got the virus from.
Is there any "FREE" software that you installed recently?

A one-off charge of $119.99 sounds like an absolute rip-off, for something that they'd do remotely. Back in the bad old days, when I used McAfee and had a virus that required me to contact them directly for assistance, they didn't throw any unseen charges at me. They solved the problem remotely, while I waited, for free.

Perhaps try an online virus scanner, to see if there's anything nasty that's lurking on your system? Here's one, that has good recommendations, and is a reputable scanner:

ESET

With this, you don't need to register any personal info -- it runs from your browser. See if it works for you.

For ongoing, real-time virus protection from thereon, perhaps look for an alternative to Avast.

Here are 2 more things you can try:
1).Try running your virus program from safe mode.Safe mode will prevent most nasties from loading.
2).Go to uninstall programs list in control panel. See if you see anything unfamiliar on that list and report it here or google it.

I agree - that amount of money is absolutely nuts. Don't go there. Try everything else suggested here first. Or uninstall Avast and get a different anti-virus program. Do you have the free or the paid Avast?

I have got rid of Avast on all my computers as I don't trust them anymore since they screwed up my browsers.... Where Internet Explorer would not work. I was using the free version I might add....

Rushes, I used ESET and found 9 items they got rid of 7 files for me, but I still couldn't up date. I have the paid version of Avast which is good till Dec. of this year but I will look else where for one such as Zone alarm which I had previous to Avast and I never got a virus while using it or had any trouble updating their virus defs.

Geo, I'm going to try your first suggestion ( using safe mode) since my uninstall programs all look ok.

Jenny 100, I have an older computer not currently in use I could try to download the Kaspersky rescue disc and try that one also.

Thank you, everyone for all your help, I will keep you posted on my progress.

Marie

Since you have paid for it, before you get rid of Avast I would contact them to see what to do. You may have to uninstall and reinstall. But see what they have to say.

If you do switch, I would take a look at some of the ratings for anti-virus solutions. Zone Alarm is not rated very highly. Do a search for antivirus ratings 2015 and you should get lots of information. This is one from PC Magazine.

http://www.pcmag.com/products/1594

My Avast just upated so everything is good and I ran a system scan no viruses and that's A OK also.

I'll check out those ratings Draclvr before I do any switching,thank you for the info.

Marie

I'm glad that ESET cleared out a few problem items for you, marie. I hope everything will run smoothly for you now that you've finally been able to update Avast.