[Magnolia2]

I keep only programs and fonts (1,121 fonts) on the hard drive. I have a 910GB capacity and only 112GB used. Everything is keep on external hard drives. I have 64.1MB of thumbnails & 3.12KB of Temp files.  I have auto-updates set to not install until I install the ones I want.

 

I use FF 42.0 and several add-ons such as No-script, Procon Latte, Facebook Phising Protector, Self-destructing Cookies, Clean-Links, Clearly and Smart HTTPS. My anti-virus is AVG Internet Security.

 

I defrag weekly. I use WinZip Utilities.which scans daily for privacy traces.

 

Issues I have

 

Freezing, wisesearch, FF container crashes multiple times a day, can no longer access my gmail (error states it is being redirected in a way that will never connect) so I can on my tablet.

 

Think I must have a virus, malware or both.

 

Please help.

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Think I must have a virus, malware or both.

 

 

 

If you think that you  have malware, then please create a new thread in the malware area.

[rockmilk]

Think I must have a virus, malware or both.

 

 

 

If you think that you  have malware, then please create a new thread in the malware area.

[Magnolia2]

I do not know if I have a virus or a malware problem. That is WHY I am here...

[phillpower2]

Hope you don`t mind the interjection rockmilk 

 

Hello magnolia2,

 

There is such a thing as overdoing things when trying to keep your computer secure and by doing so you may inadvertently weaken your security and AV protection, please see admin tutorial here for recommendations for how to best keep your computer secure, you will note that AVG is no longer recommended.

 

Couple of other pointers for you;

 

I defrag weekly. 

 

 

Unless you are a power user who continually swaps files backwards and forwards weekly defrags are way too much that will not only subject the HDD to unecassary stress but also create the very fragmentation that you are attempting to avoid, the average user need only defrag once every 3 months or so depending on usage, while it does not apply here it is also worth mentioning for others that may read this thread, never defrag an SSD.

 

I use WinZip Utilities.

 

 

Such programs are also not recommended on these forums, they are at best a gimmick and at worst a danger to your registry, an old but still often referred to blog from miekiemoe here and a thread on Wilder Security Forum here

 

To the problem at hand;

 

can't get rid of wisesearch

 

 

In addition to what was advised by rockmilk, please refer to the GTG malware redirection information below;

 

I suspect that you have some malware on your computer causing issues that we are not able to solve through means we can use here in the Tech Forums. I suggest you read the 'Start Here' topic found here. With these self-help tools you have a high chance of fixing the problems on your own. If you are still having problems after following Step 3 of the guide, continue with Step 4 and 5 and post in the Malware Forum. If you are unable to run any programs, Please create a topic stating what you have tried so far and that you are unable to run any programs. Also, Please do NOT post the logs in this thread.

If you are still having issues after the malware expert gives you a clean bill of health, Please return to THIS thread and we will pursue other options to help you solve your current problem(s).

[Magnolia2]

Thank you for addressing my concerns. This forum assisted me in problems on a different computer back in 2008 so I came back again.

 

I will take your advice and review each of the points you made.

[phillpower2]

You are most welcome Magnolia2 

 

Good luck and we will be here should you need us after getting the all clear of malware 

[rockmilk]

I agree with Phillpower2, AVG is borderline useless and causes more issues than it prevents.

 

Here are two free antivirus that will protect you a lot better. Choose only  one.

 

Sophos Home.

Panda Free.

 

I suggest also that you use Ublock Origin to stop all those ads that appear when browsing.

 

For Chrome.

For FireFox.

For Opera

[Magnolia2]

Thank you both for the great ino on the anti virus ....Think I may go with Sophos since it is totally free.

 

If I install uBlock Origin, should I stop using NoScript?

[rockmilk]

If I install uBlock Origin, should I stop using NoScript?

 

I would, and to add to ublock, use Alternate DNS it is an ad blocking dns server, it will pick up what Ublock does not. Should also speed up page loading.