Help with Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7 Pro

Web filters are the first defense, as the browser is the first point of infection for almost all malware. I use Malwarebytes because it can do IP address blocking, but it seems the best defense is an adblock extension to the Web browser, and not using Internet Explorer (since all the bad guys are gunning for IE as it is the default.)

BlueCoat is pretty good, so I'll pass along the K9 recommendation, same with OpenDNS. I tend to use Google's DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4), but ODNS looks like it can do some additional site blocking before the bad stuff even can come across the network.

downtheroad wrote:

Then download any one of the better free anti-virus programs out there.

Better is relative. Thousands of new variants of malware are released every week. No one can keep up anymore. AV isn't enough. You need to augment it with something like Open DNS and/or Bluecoat K9.

Open DNS and K9 block known malicious sites. I've been these along with MS Defender (formerly Security Essentials) for several years on all my machines and haven't been infected yet. Open DNS also blocks a lot of ad sites!

Try Revo Uninstaller (download for free). Use the "Force Uninstall Mode." Revo Uninstaller LINK

Then download any one of the better free anti-virus programs out there.
Avast
AVG
AVira
BitDefender
Panda
etc/

Sounds like you picked up a virus or at the very least a UP.

1. Open control panel.
2. Open Backup and Restore
3. Click on Recover settings on your computer.(middle bottom of page)
4. Open System Restore and follow the prompts....good luck...Dennis

Try downloading a copy of Advanced System Care if you don't already have it, it will scan your system for registry errors and fix them. It also has a companion component from the same company (IOBIT) called uninstaller which will do a better job of getting rid of stuff. Or you can just download the Unistaller.

Both are available for free at IOBIT.COM. Read carefully when installing them as they will install other stuff you may not want unless you uncheck the boxes.