# My home computer has been infected **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 20, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896 "2025-12-20T18:58:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/21 "2025-12-20T19:51:10Z")
I just installed Bitdefender Antivirus Plus. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/22 "2025-12-20T23:25:29Z")
I came back from a shopping trip…and those annoying little phishing pop-ups are back. A full Bitdefender scan can’t find anything wrong…even those the little pop-ups are coming every few seconds. No matter where the notes supposedly come from, they all have a string of numbers and letters ending with “oes-cfirm.co.in”. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/23 "2025-12-20T23:32:24Z")
Sounds like you have a browser hijacker. [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-life-hacks/privacy-and-safety/what-is-browser-hijacker-how-remove](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-life-hacks/privacy-and-safety/what-is-browser-hijacker-how-remove) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/24 "2025-12-20T23:39:56Z")
Where do I find my DNS Cache? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/25 "2025-12-20T23:49:47Z")
I don’t use Windows, but a search says to do: ipconfig/flushdns to flush it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/26 "2025-12-21T00:07:16Z")
I don’t know that it worked…but no pop-ups so far. BTW, I looked up that “oes-” sequence, and it is definitely a phishing scam that uses the names of different antivirus companies to trick people into linking to nefarious programs. ---
**Author:** ![rippingtons\_fan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rippingtons_fan/32/11767_2.png) [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/27 "2025-12-21T00:20:08Z")
I had a similar experience on my Kindle Fire, and what I did was to reset to factory settings and start over again. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/28 "2025-12-21T02:40:58Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > Do the pop-ups continue if the browser is stopped? > > Do they persist between reboots? Obviously I should have been more specific here. What I meant was “Do the pop-ups continue if the browser is stopped, and not restarted?” Along with the follow up “do they continue once you restart your browser?” Yeah, it looks like someone’s hijacked your browser. You might need to go through the list of add-ons and delete any that don’t look familiar, as well - that’s what I see on my MiL’s Mac. What browser are you using? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/29 "2025-12-21T02:52:27Z")
It doesn’t matter, because the pop-ups started happening right after the machine was rebooted, before any browsers were opened. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/30 "2025-12-21T02:53:35Z")
Which says very clearly that whatever it is, it isn’t a browser hijacker. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/31 "2025-12-21T02:56:39Z")
Is there a reliable computer repair shop near you? They have the tools and the knowledge to root out all that crap that’s infested your machine. An infection that persistent has likely burrowed deep into your computer and will take multiple lines of attack to eradicate, something computer repair shops are equipped to do. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/32 "2025-12-21T03:03:18Z")
If it comes back, I will do just that. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/33 "2025-12-21T04:24:57Z")
I recommend taking **Reply** ’s initial advice. Back up your documents, any saved passwords and websites from browsers, and do whatever is considered a factory reset. Full format of your C disk. I dunno if you’ve just got a lot of PUPs (pop up programs) or a real virus that has opened your computer to whatever it wants. There is too much doubt to trust your computer as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/34 "2025-12-21T04:43:24Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > An infection that persistent has likely burrowed deep into your computer and will take multiple lines of attack to eradicate, something computer repair shops are equipped to do. It’s sage and harmless advice, yet I’ve not heard of viruses that can do any worse than a root kit. They don’t burrow into computers. Any computer shop will (or should) say they ran some low-level software and everything’s cool now. Maybe it is - I’ll give them that - yet I highly suggest a full reinstall is all that’s needed here. A good computer shop will do what’s needed. I’ll leave it there. It won’t be cheap and won’t be while-you-wait. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/35 "2025-12-21T06:32:01Z")
But when the computer shop does the reaming out of whatever the infection is, all your data, programs, settings, etc., stay the same, as opposed to doing a factory reset and then having to set everything up again. It’s easier for me, anyway, since I have two laptops and two desktops, so always have another machine to use, plus it spares me the hassle of redoing all my settings, apps, etc., which I can do but would rather not spend my time and attention on. The convenience is worth the cost. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/36 "2025-12-21T07:58:44Z")
If they’re a trustable shop where you can bring the compy in and tell them, there’s viruses and suspect PUPs that I can’t get rid of, depending on how much backlog they have (I reckon with lots of people being shoved to Windows 11 - lots) they still ought to be able to do a morning drop off - evening pick up. Even right around Christmas. Indeed, I reckon all the new computers after Christmas will be a boon for them. There ought to be some initial poking around, yet for the most part, it’s running background scripts and then restoring your data and programs, then perhaps running a few more background checks. Some short warranty, and you take the machine home and do everything you ever do, and if all is good, you’ve got peace of mind. Last year, I wanted an NVMe card in this still very fast monster of a computer. Three different 1TB Seagate drives, none worked or were recognized by the BIOS, yet I still had tech support, and then the guy suggested trying Western Digital. No good reason other than it’s not Seagate. Popped the WD in and all is good. First computer I’d not built ground-up since my first IBM PC, yet without the lingering tech support they provided, I’d have been banging my head against the wall. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/37 "2025-12-22T05:02:59Z")
I know how to do certain things on my computer and do them well (e.g., making pdf files, building folder/subfolder storage, downloading and installing printer/scanner software for a new machine). I can do other things with a bit of frustration but get them done. And then there are things that I could arguably do on my own with much fumbling, errors, swearing, and hopefully eventual success but would much rather pay someone to do for me, faster, better, and without potentially mucking something up, given that I once tried to adjust the settings on one Outlook email account, rooting around in the bowels of the program, and managed to bollix it up so thoroughly that even my very capable computer shop guys couldn’t salvage it for me, so we just set up a new account that worked fine. My skills serve me just fine for what I need to do but are way below the build your own machine level, and I don’t try to push past the limits I’ve learned define what I can/should do.. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/38 "2025-12-22T15:43:33Z")
Another option if it comes back is to try bleepingcomputer. Legit cybersecurity pros with the best tools (often they create their own) volunteering free virus removal help to anyone. These guys are _very_ good and it’s always completely free. The downside is their forums are slammed and so it can take a few days to get a response. But once they take your case they continue working on it until it is solved. > **[Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Help Forum](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/f/22/virus-trojan-spyware-and-malware-removal-help/)** > > Virus, Trojan, Spyware, and Malware Removal Help: One of the last bastions of computer security warriors and healers. Bring your troubled PC here for top-of-the-line help with Malware Analysis and Removal by our trained professionals. This forum is... ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/39 "2025-12-22T17:27:05Z")
Interesting. Do you give them remote access to your computer? How do you vet whichever volunteer happens to take your case… is there some sort of reputation system there? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896/40 "2025-12-22T17:35:22Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > My skills serve me just fine for what I need to do but are way below the build your own machine level Don’t shortchange yourself. If you can make a PDF file and install printer drivers, putting together a computer isn’t much harder… it’s something you could easily learn over a YouTube video, _if you wanted to_. I totally get not wanting to bother, though. However, with malware it’s totally different. There, you are actively being attacked by blackhat cybersecurity professionals. They literally make their living doing this, and they have way more skill and experience than the overwhelming majority of computer users. It’s an arms race that’s difficult to win, even with access to antimalware software. > [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > even my very capable computer shop guys couldn’t salvage it for me That’s the thing… even if you take it to a shop, there’s no real guarantee they can find all the malware on a computer. Once a computer is infected, it usually becomes even _more_ vulnerable to additional malware… like a sick immunocompromised patient, once the first layers of defense are down, everything else can just kinda pile on. It’s not a pretty sight. Chances are the shop would just run similar (or even the same) software you can run yourself, maybe catch some of the more obvious issues, but there’s no real guarantee they can catch everything unless they, too, wipe the drive and start from scratch. The people who are actually skilled at this stuff will easily make 6 or 7 figures at proper cybersecurity consultancies, or in enterprises or defense, etc., not working at the local computer repair shop for pitiful hourly wages. If you’re lucky the shop might have an old-timer sole proprietor who at least knows his way around a BIOS. If you’re not, you get a teenager who follows a script because it’s better than working at McDonalds. But… also, not all infections are THAT bad. They can probably take care of the run-of-the-mill computer “colds”. Anyone can, with just a little patience… but I totally understand not wanting to for lack of experience/time/skill/whatever. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-home-computer-has-been-infected/1025896.md?page=3)