[iamzack]

It was some kind of fake anti-virus thing that scanned my **** and was all "OMFG YOU HAVE SO MANY VIRUSES" and pretended to be the demo version of a legit windows-sponsored program.

To be totally frank, this is the point of failure for most PCs. Antivirus can only do so much if you click on every flashing gif that says it can cure your PC's cancer.

It was already downloaded at that point. I didn't download anything on purpose, just went to some sketchy webpage for about twety-eight seconds.

[Shivan Hunter]

Then don't go to sketchy webpages.

If you absolutely must, use Noscript.

[Thaeris]

if it is the utter **** called trend micro they give us from school, get rid of that NOW.

For the record, I like Trend Micro - I'm not sure what version your school gives you, however.

Furthermore, there's no perfect antivirus, and various programs are more adept at stopping different threats. However, I would never direct anyone to McAffee or Norton, which from all accounts I've heard are bloated programs in the extreme with marginal effectiveness. I used to have two different programs simultaneously running on my machine, Trend Micro and SpySweeper. I no longer have SpySweeper installed, but it is a nice program, and I would advocate it along with Trend Micro.

[Satellight]

I've bought NOD32, and I find it very practical to use, light with ressources (optimization POWAAA  ), and very powerful.
In fact, no one can hope the same service from a "free" (with limitations, like AVAST) antivirus.

Disclaimer : I DON'T work for ESET

[Klaustrophobia]

if it is the utter **** called trend micro they give us from school, get rid of that NOW.

For the record, I like Trend Micro - I'm not sure what version your school gives you, however.

Furthermore, there's no perfect antivirus, and various programs are more adept at stopping different threats. However, I would never direct anyone to McAffee or Norton, which from all accounts I've heard are bloated programs in the extreme with marginal effectiveness. I used to have two different programs simultaneously running on my machine, Trend Micro and SpySweeper. I no longer have SpySweeper installed, but it is a nice program, and I would advocate it along with Trend Micro.

we have some sort of horrendously ineffective "corperate" version of trend micro.  the only virus i ever got that i couldn't eradicate without reinstall was while i had that installed.  and it came through html-disabled webmail.  i'm not even sure how that's possible.  i now use avg free plus a smattering of free spyware utilities, mainly spybot and ad-aware.  super antispyware and malwarebytes installed in case of emergency.  avg has far better protection from any paid antivirus i've used. 

norton did used to suck, but i've heard that it's newer versions are pretty good.

[Spicious]

Furthermore, unless I'm mistaken, this virus emulates the appearance of AVG Antivirus, which is free and thus a likely candidate to be the victim's actual software. Regardless, nice work in taking that bugger out, Zack.

Ironically, AVG is emulating the behaviour of malware lately.

As for a general solution to the problem: ditch Windows and install Linux.

[ssmit132]

Ironically, AVG is emulating the behaviour of malware lately

...well at least my computer wasn't bricked, but still... damn.

[Mongoose]

Surprisingly, I've heard fairly good stuff about Microsoft's own Security Essentials package; I threw it on my brother's laptop when I reformatted it and installed Windows 7.  (Lucky bastard got a free copy of Ultimate from his school. ) I might give it a shot myself.

[Pred the Penguin]

Security on Windows 7 isn't half bad. It can last pretty long.

[Water]

Microsoft have a good free solution https://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ hopefully AVG and the others will become irrelevant over time for home use.

[Kolgena]

I've never had a virus before. Where can I find a Wild Virus? I must catch em all.

[redsniper]

Microsoft have a good free solution https://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ hopefully AVG and the others will become irrelevant over time for home use.

Nah, good tools come and go. Security Essentials will suck some day, and then we'll all be looking for the next great AV.

[Bobboau]

the 'fake antivirus' viri tend to be some of the nastier ones.

[Nemesis6]

This one is pretty good, too: http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?part=dl-10804572&subj=dl&tag=button

Also, if I may ask: Why did you download a virus? 

[Grizzly]

Same thing happened to me. I saw it happen, hit the switch as fast as I could, and rebooted in safe mode and deleted everything using HijackTHIS!. Then I googled and removed all the files related to the bloody bastard.