HELP...is this a virus?

Hello, a friend of mine called me and asked me to take a look at her computer, and i am pretty sure whats wrong is a virus, but cannot find the name anywhere, and therefore dont know how to help.  Basically all of the icons on her desktop are the internet explorer icon, and all applications etc end with the extension lnk.  Whenever you try to open any of the programs (even in the programs list they display the explorer icon), it asks if you want to open, save or cancel, when you say open it just comes up with the same question over and over.  Which is why we cant even access her norton to scan her computer.  Is this a virus? and if so, whats the name of it....and if you have any info on what  the fix is, that would be greatly appreciated.  If not, the name would do and i can research it from there....hope you can help