Think my comp has malware..

Hi all,

im not great with computers so forgive me if I seem vague in my explanations. I have windows 8, I woke up this morning, turned my comp on to find no mouse and no desktop icons. The mouse is pushed way left on my screen and can eventually be retrieved. I can see my bottom tool bar where I am able to click on chrome and my folders, however I am unable to see the programs. If I hover over the icon it shows what page SHOULD be open. I attempted to open my control panel from the start menu on the right. It opens but I cannot see it or use it. All I see is my backdrop.

so basically I can't do ANYTHING. I can't even start it in safe mode. After going to pc settings, general, advanced start up, restart I click it. It's meant to come up with some options to get into safe mode but the screen simply goes black and I can't do anything but manually reset my comp. I've read heaps of info but it appears near impossible to get into safe mood from startup??? I've tried booting from disc but that will only allow me to reinstall windows from scratch. I've hit f12 which gives my some options via my gigabyte board. I chose 'windows boot menu' and it just starts as normal.

Does anyone have any idea how the hell I can get into safe mode, jump on the net and get some sort of malware removal for this(if it is even malware)?? Also once in safe mode am I even able to connect to the Internet via Ethernet cable?

any help or advice will be greatly appreciated. I'd prefer not to wipe everything as I have a lot on this comp and stupidly haven't backed it up. Also don't even know how to wipe everything and start again:s

cheers

I have finally managed to get into safe mode, purely by chance im not even sure how it happened. Any one got any tips as to what I can do from here? eg how to check if i have malware and how i go about removing all of it?

Some AVs offer a boot recovery disk as part of their AV package. The only one I have ever tested was Bit Defender Free and it seemed to do a thorough job; however, I cannot confirm that as such because I didn't really have an infection when I tested it. So, check it out here and see if you might be able to use it:
Support

I encourage you to install Malwarebytes in Safe Mode, then do a full scan. That should resolve your issue.

Skulblaka said:

I encourage you to install Malwarebytes in Safe Mode, then do a full scan. That should resolve your issue.

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A good suggestion. Note that my suggestion was based on the fact that he could not get into safe-mode (per his first post). Unfortunately, his safe mode OK message and my boot recommendation appear to be simultaneously posted. Thanks again.

I recommend going to Speed Up Slow Computer, Keep PC and Internet Secure, Freeware Download - IObit and download their Malware Fighter 2, it will remove all of the Malware effectively and fast!

Hartley said:

I have finally managed to get into safe mode, purely by chance im not even sure how it happened. Any one got any tips as to what I can do from here? eg how to check if i have malware and how i go about removing all of it?

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I suggest using a restore point before the problem started or do a refresh.

Jaredo88 said:

I recommend going to Speed Up Slow Computer, Keep PC and Internet Secure, Freeware Download - IObit and download their Malware Fighter 2, it will remove all of the Malware effectively and fast!

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With all due respect, I strongly suggest against using this software. At first glance it appears "fishy". It will probably nag you into buying it.

Just use free software or, like David Bailey has suggested, do a restore point or a refresh.

Ditto, get Malwarebytes or Superantispyware and install and run in safe mode, that should clean it up if indeed it is malware

Jaredo88 said:

I recommend going to Speed Up Slow Computer, Keep PC and Internet Secure, Freeware Download - IObit and download their Malware Fighter 2, it will remove all of the Malware effectively and fast!

Click to expand...

I would also recommend avoiding this software and the others like it...

Jaredo88 said:

I recommend going to Speed Up Slow Computer, Keep PC and Internet Secure, Freeware Download - IObit and download their Malware Fighter 2, it will remove all of the Malware effectively and fast!

Click to expand...

Do NOT use programs like that unless properly registered, full versions, most of them report problems and ask for money to solve them. Use standalone mallware cleaners that can do it from safe mode or even better, from some other boot media. After that a good AV installed should stop most of future mallware attempts.