got a virus

Actually, your computer can most certainly be infected by items (flash player documents, pdf files, gifs, etc) embedded in a web page. Modern browsers and server software attempt to block infected items (which is where such claims originate), but hackers (etc) are coming up with new stuff almost every single day.

In this case, the OP clicked on a link in the "wtf" thread (a thread on this website containing weird or funny images or videos) which opened an attachment (likely a flash doc) likely stored on an external server. That might be how the malicious software (assuming that is what it is) was transferred to his computer. Adobe's software (Flash, etc) has been repeatedly hit by hackers, so it truly wouldn't surprise me.

I have pretty good security on my computer, which has occasionally detected suspicious stuff after clicking on links found in threads on this website. Threads like the "wtf" thread, which contains many hundreds of links to external sites and servers, is just asking for trouble if your computer's security isn't top notch. To further reduce the risk, I also avoid most of the flash player documents (videos) linked to in that and other threads.

 

I'm thinking new laptop don't have a clue what to get though was looking at the alienware stuff till I started reading reviews. Now I dunno suggestions around $1500 2000ish ? Would like to be able to play games on it .

 

Yep definately something bad wrong on it now. Search anything pick an option and it takes you to some random ass site. Trying the restore thing now. If this doesn't work ima just go buy a laptop..maybe tomorrow or something too sleepy to mess with it now.

 

^^^This!

Or easiest way to fix the bs with windoze computers is to just reload the operating system. Use your restore disc or image you burned when you got the computer if it didn't come with a disc. You did burn your image when you got the comuter, right?

I got tired of the windoze bs and bought a mac. I run no antivirus software and have no problems whatsoever. Most people who complain about mac's either can't use anything but windows that hand feeds you the operating system where you don't have to think about anything at the expense of getting slow over time and get affected by a virus. Or, they have never used one and don't realize it's not hard to get going using one. It's also nice when a new operating system comes out it's only $30 to upgrade.

 

I would go ASUS with that kind of price range..

 

Actually, the easiest way to fix any computer (Mac or PC) is to delete and entirely restore from a backup drive.

Anyway, I owned various Macs for many years (since the beginning in the mid-80's - still have a Mac sitting in the back room) and finally switched entirely to Windows since it's a far more capable operating system with far wider software options.

I'd never willingly go back to the limits of a Mac, including the limits imposed by Apple Inc. The wider software options for Windows make it easier to get around any limits imposed my Microsoft.

 

Exactly what I was talking about.

 

haha YES +1

 

I do this once or twice a year just to restore my system to "like new" condition. Not only does it ensure there are no viruses lurking (I repartition and reformat the HDD prior to the clean install of the OS from the original DVD), it also clears out 12 months of garbage that's been added on by all the various things I've installed. The basic Windows installation only takes 20 minutes; what takes longer is downloading and installing the Windows Updates, but in a few hours time my system acts like it did when I first built it.

That said, what I think you may have been hearing were pop-up ad videos playing; many websites play these now.

If you want to check your system for viruses, download, update, then run a complete scan of the free version of Malwarebytes. After that, install Microsoft's free Security Essentials.