My PC Caught a Virus! Trojan.KillAV

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Well, my PC caught a virus! A Trojan virus to be specific designed to make my computer vulnerable so that it could be infected with something worse and possibly steal my personal information, irritate my life and kill my Internet freedom (by making me paranoid). My little PC was down for the count for two days, because I quit using it until the virus was removed. How did I know it was sick? Well, it was series of relatively subtle changes . . .
It all began with a security alert disguised to look like it was from Windows. The alert said,

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“WINDOWS SECURITY ALERT

Warning! Potential Spyware Operation!

Your computer is making unauthorized copies

of your system and Internet files.

Run full scan now to pervent any unauthorised access to your files!

Click YES to download-spyware remover . . .”
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And then it gives a choice between clicking yes or no. I panicked when the message popped up and clicked yes, at first, then seconds later thought it could be a scam, so I shut my computer off. But it had been partially downloaded . . .
From that point on the following things happened:

Every fifteen minutes the message from above popped up. It was irritating to say the least, but it also increased the probability of me accidentally clicking yes, when I meant to click no. And yes would have probably meant that the virus would fully download.
It high jacked my initial web page. In other words, when I click on Internet explorer instead of opening to the website that I chose (my blog of course), www.gospelnerve.com, it opened to Google.
It restricted my access to the properties on my computer. Meaning, when I went into properties to change my screen saver and the like, it blocked my access (on my own computer no doubt, and if I’m not in charge here then where am I in charge)
It blocked my access to antivirus websites (which I was searching for in order to destroy this virus and restore my Internet life to normal)

So, how did I fix the problem? I ran Norton Antivirus which identified it by the name-Trojan.KillAV. This Trojan virus’ entire purpose is to block your antivirus software and leave your computer vulnerable for all manners of ‘diseases’. Well, Norton only ‘partially resolved’ the problem (in their own words). And since I am no expert in this area, I called in professional help (for $100, cheaper than replacing the entire computer) who walked me through the process of removing the virus. It was everywhere, but the technician who helped me said it could have been much worse had I clicked yes to the dialogue box that kept popping up.

Lesson learned, “no unsolicited, random, ‘free’ downloads, because it could be a trap.”

FYI: There are FREE, reliable downloads that can Help you protect your computer. Feel Free to read about it in 3 FREE Ways to Protect Your PC from a Computer Virus. Did I say they are FREE? In the meantime, don’t panic, continue to build your business, and don’t be a victim by learning how to protect your computer (I’m committed now!).