Norton 360

[Sallydust]

How do I remove Vista Guardian 2010, I can't even use my Laptop now, I have tried running Norton scans and it isn't working, is there a problem with the anti virus programme.

Can someone help me please

[Bombastus]

Hello,

These types of rogue anti-malware programs often interfere with your real anti-virus, preventing it from working properly. Unfortunately, they mutate and multiply very fast, and most anti-virus programs have quite poor detection and removal capabilities at the moment.

Here's a thread where another Norton user was helped to remove Vista Guardian:

http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-Internet-Security-Norton/Vista-Guardian-Problems/td-p/203530

[Sallydust]

Thank you, I can't get passed step one though as everytime I open internet explorer I get an alert from Windows Guardian telling me that the site will pose a security threat to my computer :( I am using my friends laptop at the moment.

[delphinium Norton Fighter]

You can follow the instructions given by downloading the required application onto a thumb drive via your friend's laptop, rename the file, as per the instructions, and then run it on the infected machine.

Follow the steps in that link given.

[12error12]

Still can't believe that Norton can't detect these rogue security programs.

[Quads]

People have to remember that one Rogue called Vista Guardian that is detected now, one a couple of weeks later is slightly different so not detected.

Quads

[Bombastus]

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12error12 wrote:

Still can't believe that Norton can't detect these rogue security programs.

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Norton is not alone in this. All AV software miss tons of these rogues, unfortunately. Just look at the support forums of other AV:s, and you will see dozens every day where the AV in question has just let it install and keeps on saying that the computer is secure when it obviously isn't. The sad fact is that pretty much all AV:s offer quite poor detection and removal of rogues at the moment, and are always one step behind. MBAM is perhaps the only application that detects and removes the majority of rogues, but it is not a replacement for a complete AV as is not intended as such. It specializes in types of malware where regular AV:s are traditionally weak.

[12error12]

Yes however, you spend money on software that is designed to protect your computer but yet it struggles on simple things to block.

[floplot Norton Fighter]

Hello

Please try looking at it this way. Look at how many different malwares that Norton successfully blocks your computers against. Look at how many times a day the antivirus definitions come out in a day. Look at how many times a day the idle quick scans are run in a day if you have your computer on all the time and it is idle at times so the product can function the way it was made to function.

Yes, I know it just takes one missed piece of malware to mess up a computer. But unfortunately, there isn't one antivirus program out there that can catch everything at all times.

[delphinium Norton Fighter]

Rogues are not simple things to block.  They are well-placed, well hidden script injections that once clicked on install themselves quite quickly.  They usually require some sort of interaction on the part of the user. It is going to become an educational thing, like not opening email or e-cards from people you don't know, or where it isn't expected. 

Make sure vulnerable programs are patched and all updates kept current. It is not just the antivirus that provides the security.