Security Shield program on my laptop with Windows 7

[swogden]

I having a problem with what I think might be a Microsoft security program called Security Shield.

It asked me to update the program and requires me to pay for the update.  That leads me to believe that this may not be a Microsoft program but a scam operation.  But it keeps coming up with a list of problem sites (several at high risk) and a IE Monster process that is "trying to send out passwords to 3rd parties"  -- scare tactics perhaps?.

I've run MacAfee security that came with the laptop and it doesn't find any problems.  I have Malwarebytes on my machine and is in the process of running, but hasn't found anything eithor.
But the Security Shield continues send out pop-ups urging me to update (and pay) for continued coverage.

Don't feel I should have to pay for security coverage that I already have or could get free.   
A related problem I'm having with this, is that all my paid emails,  FC's included, come with a message that this site is under attack and the Security Shield software will not allow me to view them emails even when I click on the override.

Any thoughts or suggestion on how to get rid of the Secuity Shield pop-ups?
Or should I pay the ransom to get my laptop working?

[Kohler]

It is a Virus:

http://www.spywarehelpcenter.com/security-shield-virus-removal-instructions/

[swogden]

Thanks for the confirmation that Security Shield is a computer virus.

I accessed the PC Tools software; downloaded (paid $39.95 for it) and ran it in safe mode as requested.  Unfortunately, it did not do the job it was supposed to do.  Security Shield is still on my computer.

I called their tech support and he acknowledged that this virus has been around for some time and recently (last couple weeks) has gotten more sophisticated so that the fix in PC Tools no longer works.

[swogden]

Apparently this virus, Security Shield, is infecting computers worldwide and because it has become more sophisticated, it will be harder to remove.  It looks like something that Microsoft would be using to notify you of problem but don't believe it.

The scans and scan results that are displayed by the fake Security Shield program are a complete hoax.  

What is not a hoax is that this virus will mess up your computer fast.  At the moment, I can not read paid emails without getting a overlay that this site is dangerous site and it will not let me bypass the notice.

I've also noticed that this message is coming up when I try to access other links so moving around the web will be very difficult.

Perhaps related to all this, I've been seeing many sites having problems -- in my being able to access them and they having the ability to stay locked in.  Comments include that these sites (PTC/GPT sites mostly) are currently under attack and they are doing their best to control it.

[cwortman544]

How did this virus get in your system?  Is it something you opened and tried to run?

[swogden]

How did this virus get in your system?  Is it something you opened and tried to run?

I have no idea.  I don't think it was in my system yesterday.  The technician I spoke to said the virus had been around for a long time, but it had become more sophisticated in the last couple weeks which is why the old PC Tools wasn't able to remove it.

I have MacFee Security on my laptop as well as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware software (which I downloaded several months ago).  I did rerun the Malwarebytes scan again this afternoon and the Security Shield pop-ups have stopped.  I don't know MB solved the problem or the virus went in sleep mode for the moment.

I do work a lot of PTC and GPT sites and the virus could have come through any of the sites I accessed or via the ads that are shown on those sites.  I avoid opening attachments or downloading stuff because of the potential for built in viruses.

[swogden]

More on this saga.

I now have PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Antivirus on my laptop and I'm concerned that this program may also be a virus or harmful program.  

I installed it into my laptop while the laptop was in Safe Mode (per the instructions) and I suspect that if I want to remove it I need to do that while in Safe Mode also.

Has anyone had experience (good or bad) with any PC Tools programs?  Should I remove it and must I remove it in Safe Mode?

[Kohler]

Spyware Doctor is legit program - http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/

[RobertMendez]

oh i had problems like that in the past

[swogden]

Spyware Doctor is legit program - http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/

I'm happy to report that PC Tools refunded my purchase price for the software -- because it was unable to remove the Security Shield virus from my computer.

I uninstalled the Spyware Doctor in normal mode and didn't have any problems with that; however, my MacAfee security got turned off and I couldn't figure out how to turn it back on.  So I uninstalled that too and downloaded (free) Avast to my laptop (already use it on my desktop based on positive comments on this forum) and am happy with the way it's working so far.