Windows XP Prof. Password Message

JimmyHo

For the last couple of days, I keep getting this prompt on my computer for a password to be entered (a sequence of random letters that must be re-typed). If the 'sequence' is not entered, the computer will shutdown after three minutes. If the sequence is entered, the password prompt will appear again after around 10 minutes. Any ideas what has caused this and how to fix it? Did a google search but couldn't seem to find a cause for this. It appears in a Windows XP Microsoft box so it appears legit (not a virus). Cheers.

g2

That's a virus. It is a legit Windows box, but it's being triggered by a virus.

/g2

JimmyHo

g2 wrote: »

That's a virus. It is a legit Windows box, but it's being triggered by a virus.

/g2

great; any ideas on removing it? if I use a current version of McAfee, will it get rid of it?

g2

Google your symptoms and try to figure out what virus it is. I don't remember, I just recognize it from having to fix a gf's sister's computer a long time ago.

/g2

compuease

Don't be so quick to assume Virus, There was one that did something similar a few years ago but as long as you are running an up to date copy of XP (with updates installed) it wouldn't be that. 3 things.

Assuming you don't have an up to date anti virus.

Run an online scan from Trendmicro here.
Trend Micro HouseCall - Free Online Virus and Spyware Scan - Trend Micro USA

Install, update and run Malwarebytes from here.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Reviews and free Malwarebytes Anti-Malware downloads at Download.com

Install, update and run AVG Free edition from here.
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - Reviews and free AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition downloads at Download.com

AVG free is the best of the free antivirus prog in my opinion. YMMV and I'm sure we'll hear other opinions but that's mine...

Let me know what you find and I'll try to help from there...

JimmyHo

thanks for the advice; one other symptom I forgot to mention, which may be relevant, is that everytime I try to go to facebook, IE closes. Maybe this is where the worm/virus came from? A friend mentioned I should try 'spybot' to remove it.