Virus/Spyware infections

Hi, i am relatively new to TWC but have been using mods for months now,i love it so much, but i worry what some files can contain infections, because, in one file, i think i remember it was a Napoleon Total War mod file that i downloaded, so put it in my data folder, then i launched NTW, but, on the loading screen the game all of a sudden exited, to give me a message in red writing in a big black box reading "YOUR SYSTEM IS INFECTED, SPYWARE HAS BEEN DETECTED ON YOUR COMPUTER, USE ANTI-SPYWARE TOOLS TO PREVENT DATA LOSS"
Now, this message worried me alot, as my computer is a good gaming computer, i would hate to lose it, this event made me think of giving up modding, because you never know what these files could contain, viruses, spyware, trojans, etc. I need people's opinions on whether i should give modding up or keep it going. I hope the mods on TWC are ALL CLEAN because if not i will give modding up, i dont want trouble!

I cannot upgrade my AVG because, guess what, it failes to do so, and i cannot even uninstall programmes for more memory!!!!!!! Further more, i can't install new games like Order of War- install script failure. ANNOYING!!!!
All of my games installed are working fine to this moment, but i worry what the future may hold in store for me.

Thank you everyone for reading this, and hopefully i get some feedback!

Most likely your antivirus over reacting to an exe file you downloaded. No mods on this site contain virus' else people would complain alot...

Originally Posted by 'The Hedge Knight

Most likely your antivirus over reacting to an exe file you downloaded. No mods on this site contain virus' else people would complain alot...

I don't understand though, i just launched NTW and got that message straight after i downloaded that file, i am convinced that it had something bad inside it.

And why can't i upgrade my AVG version and uninstall games? Or even install them?

Try contacting AVG. I'm sure it gives you some error message that they might be able to help you with.

Try running a dedicated freeware spyware detector programme like "Spybot" to reassure yourself that there is nothing wrong - I am guessing you are running the AVG freebie so you are not going to get any help from the company.

Originally Posted by Prince of Essling

Try running a dedicated freeware spyware detector programme like "Spybot" to reassure yourself that there is nothing wrong - I am guessing you are running the AVG freebie so you are not going to get any help from the company.

Ok, thanks, ill try that.

Originally Posted by Prince of Essling

Try running a dedicated freeware spyware detector programme like "Spybot" to reassure yourself that there is nothing wrong - I am guessing you are running the AVG freebie so you are not going to get any help from the company.

Turns out that i have got 10 threats and 58 infections, i don't think it's from mods, but i don't know what else they could be coming from, i will buy spybot soemtime soon so i can get rid of this nuisance!

Originally Posted by {YG} Warlord888

Turns out that i have got 10 threats and 58 infections, i don't think it's from mods, but i don't know what else they could be coming from, i will buy spybot soemtime soon so i can get rid of this nuisance!

Porn.

What mod did you downloaded? Was it an exe/installer? Are you SURE IT REALLY IS A VIRUS AND NOT ONLY AVG (which is a nasty&poor antivirus)? If yes, then you're already full of infection, you have no chance against it with AVG or a sypbot program or silly things. You need a true antivirus (true doesn't mean you have to pay, you can download Norton or BitDefender Free Versions and wipe out the viruses). but if it doesn't allow you to uninstall or install any program, then your comp is really messed up.

You know how to make back-ups of your files on CDs, get the CDs with all your programs/games you need and then reinstall Windows from stratch? It's the hardest but most effective measure, but don't take it before trying with another antivirus or something, and don't try it by your own if you dunno how to do it.

Originally Posted by RO Citizen

What mod did you downloaded? Was it an exe/installer? Are you SURE IT REALLY IS A VIRUS AND NOT ONLY AVG (which is a nasty&poor antivirus)? If yes, then you're already full of infection, you have no chance against it with AVG or a sypbot program or silly things. You need a true antivirus (true doesn't mean you have to pay, you can download Norton or BitDefender Free Versions and wipe out the viruses). but if it doesn't allow you to uninstall or install any program, then your comp is really messed up.

You know how to make back-ups of your files on CDs, get the CDs with all your programs/games you need and then reinstall Windows from stratch? It's the hardest but most effective measure, but don't take it before trying with another antivirus or something, and don't try it by your own if you dunno how to do it.

My father claims that Norton just clogs your computer up and makes it worse, he has had it before, i am really not sure what to do!

I cannot remember which mod it was, il try out Norton then, but once i buy spyware doctor i should be able to wipe out the infections, but if Norton is appareantly great at wiping out viruses for free then i will get it. So do you think i should get rid of AVG and get Norton? I don't know why i cant uninstall and install CERTAIN games, i can install some, i can only not install the ones which have this thing called "compatibility restridibutable" or something that you need to play the game, Order of War is an example, the games i have now are absolutely fine, which is great, but i want to get rid of the games i don't need!

There may be better anti-viruses than Norton, but Norton is surely better than AVG... (I had both). Also, I'm sure you might find a free spyware doctor, especially if you don't have a big budget.

Maybe it's not a virus, and you just deleted some files from the games or some registries dissapeared from them, and now the certain games cannot be uninstalled/reinstalled. I'm not sure, you'd better contact a pro guy from this site, like Irishron.

Originally Posted by RO Citizen

There may be better anti-viruses than Norton, but Norton is surely better than AVG... (I had both). Also, I'm sure you might find a free spyware doctor, especially if you don't have a big budget.

Maybe it's not a virus, and you just deleted some files from the games or some registries dissapeared from them, and now the certain games cannot be uninstalled/reinstalled. I'm not sure, you'd better contact a pro guy from this site, like Irishron.

It's all very confusing, see i got my new PC last year in May, only a few weeks ago all this nuisance started! Before all this i could install and uninstall programmes as usual, if i did accidently delete some files, i can't think what they were, i cannot recall. My games are fine at the moment, which i am happy about, it's just i need to get this sorted or else.....

Thanks for all your help everybody! Please comment more i will check everyday!

If it's of any help: you can uninstall AVG and install Microsoft Security Essentials instead. It's from Microsoft, it's free and much better than AVG IMHO.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

AVG used to be good previously, but the last 2 versions have seen a deterioration in quality (stability, detection issues etc). MSE is light on resources yet good on protection.

As for the malware scanner, try Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. They have a free edition too runs comprehensive scans and has a good detection rate. It's far better than spybot.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Originally Posted by Sartorius

If it's of any help: you can uninstall AVG and install Microsoft Security Essentials instead. It's from Microsoft, it's free and much better than AVG IMHO.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

AVG used to be good previously, but the last 2 versions have seen a deterioration in quality (stability, detection issues etc). MSE is light on resources yet good on protection.

As for the malware scanner, try Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. They have a free edition too runs comprehensive scans and has a good detection rate. It's far better than spybot.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Do these ones actually DELETE the infections? Ive bought spyware doctor and i can still not delete the infections, i will check regularly because it said it would take minutes to process the order! I need a free one now!!! A few days ago i had 53 infections, then i had 65, now i have 81!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very worried about my computer now, i just need a free software that DELETES the infections, not just scans! I know how much ive got i just need to delete them!

Originally Posted by {YG} Warlord888

Do these ones actually DELETE the infections? Ive bought spyware doctor and i can still not delete the infections, i will check regularly because it said it would take minutes to process the order! I need a free one now!!! A few days ago i had 53 infections, then i had 65, now i have 81!!!!!!!!!!!

I am very worried about my computer now, i just need a free software that DELETES the infections, not just scans! I know how much ive got i just need to delete them!

Yes, if they can detect a virus or trojan, they can usually delete/quarantine it.
Anyway, these are free, so no harm in trying them out except for the time needed to set them up and run the scans.
You should, in this order:
-Download the MSE and MBAM installers
-Disconnect from the internet
-Uninstall your existing anti-virus software (or completely disable it). Running more than one anti-virus scanner on your system is not recommended.
-Reboot
-Install MSE. Enable live monitoring.
-Install MBAM. No need to enable live monitoring if it has the option.
-Connect to the net and update both these programs
-Run an MSE 'full scan' and after it's done
-Run a MBAM full scan.

You go to sites I don't, then. Song and movie downloads? Torrents? Warez? Limewire successor?

I want to know how i can delete the infections, because ive already bought spyware doctor and i do not think it is fake, i've bought it, and to delete the infections i need to register, it requires a license, and i have to buy it, but ive already bought it and i do not get what the license thing means!

Originally Posted by irishron

You go to sites I don't, then. Song and movie downloads? Torrents? Warez? Limewire successor?

I never use torrents or download music, i only listen to music on youtube.

But hey, look what i just noticed, now my infections have plumited to 7 threats and only 41 infections!