Q: I started my computer and it opened with a big window that looked like some kind of spyware removal program called Security Tool, which I have never heard of. Is this Security Tool software legitimate? If not, how best to remove it?
A: Security Tool is the latest fake anti-spyware program making the rounds. It is not a legitimate piece of software. In fact, it is quite nasty.
This is one of those programs that gets on your PC and runs a fake scan, reports all kinds of problems and then tells you it can remove them if you register the software for a fee. It also can easily trick you into downloading and installing even more malware if you are not careful about what you click in the dizzying array of menus it throws up on your screen.
Security Tool will redirect any attempts to go to legitimate spyware removal Web sites such as bleepingcomputer.com or the download pages for Malwarebytes. It will also redirect your Web browsing to pornographic sites. And it affects Firefox as well as Internet Explorer.
It will also block your ability to run the Task Manager so you cannot kill off the offending process. On a few occasions I watched as it deleted the executable for every anti-spyware tool I tried to load on the computer.
If your computer is infected with this nasty piece of malware, you are going to have a difficult time getting rid of it. Bleepingcomputer.com does outline a removal process at bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-security-tool, which includes using Malwarebytes and a link to download a randomly renamed copy of the core executable so that Security Tool can't intercept and delete it.
I can pretty much guarantee that if your system is infected with Security Tool, it probably has numerous other infections that must also be cleaned. In all but one instance of my battle with Security Tool, I ended up backing up the files the user needed, wiping the system clean and reloading, because it was faster and easier than trying to remove all the problem software.
Q: I recently bought a new computer with Vista. It qualified for the free upgrade to Windows 7. Everything went just fine when I upgraded, and so far I am happy with it. However, the helpful startup window has disappeared (the one with the links to various computer tasks), and I don't know how to get it back. Can you help? I really liked the command bar.
A: What you are referring to is called The Welcome Center in Windows Vista and is an application that offers a collection of tools to get you started using your new Vista computer.
It's really only designed to run the first time you start up the PC, but you can configure it to run every time by clicking Start, All Programs, Accessories and Welcome Center to fire it up. Look in the bottom of Welcome Center window for “Run at startup.” C heck the box.
In Windows 7, Microsoft has changed this to Getting Started, and it's slightly different from The Welcome Center in its layout. And there is not an easy option to have this run at startup like there was with Vista.
To bring up the Getting Started application, you have to run it manually by clicking Start, All Programs, Accessories and then selecting Getting Started.
You can always create a shortcut to the application and put it on your desktop, or, move the shortcut to the Startup folder in the All Programs list, and Getting Started will launch at bootup.
Write Jay Lee at helpline@chron.com. You can view more questions and answers at the Help Line Blog at blogs.chron.com/helpline. Lee co-hosts the radio show Technology Bytes from 8-10 p.m. Wednesdays on KPFT 90.1 FM. The program is also available on the Internet at www.geekradio.com. Lee cannot personally answer all reader questions.
