I need advice re virus, malware or adware.

[Yonderer]

I am getting a notice in the corner of my desktop. It says "Fix common PC problems. Reduce problems with your printer, scanner, sound or network connection" then in the bottome left corner there is in blue print "Free Scan"
It has no buttons to remove it which makes me think it is a scam.
I have AVG paid edition. I have scanned the computer which shows no problems.
The only new thing I have used is Speedtest.net by Ookla.
I am running Windows 7.

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[SuperDave]

Hello and welcome to Computer Hope Forum. My name is Dave. I will be helping you out with your particular problem on your computer.

1. I will be working on your Malware issues. This may or may not solve other issues you have with your machine.
2. The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine.
3. If you don't know or understand something, please don't hesitate to ask.
4. Please DO NOT run any other tools or scans while I am helping you.
5. It is important that you reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
6. Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.
7. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.

If you can't access the internet with your infected computer you will have to download and transfer any programs to the computer you're using now and transfer them to the infected computer with a CD-RW or a USB storage device. I prefer a CD because a storage device can get infected. If you use a storage device hold the shift key down while inserting the USB storage device for about 10 secs. You will also have to transfer the logs you receive back to the good computer using the same method until we can get the computer back on-line.
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Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your Desktop.

Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.



If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the Scan button as shown below.



AdwCleaner will now start to search for malicious files that may be installed on your computer.
To remove the files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the Clean button.



AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button. AdwCleaner will now delete all detected adware from your computer. When it is done it will display an alert that explains what PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and Adware are. Please read through this information and then press the OK button. You will now be presented with an alert that states AdwCleaner needs to reboot your computer.
Please click on the OK button to allow AdwCleaner reboot your computer.A log will be produced. Please copy and paste this log in your next reply.
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Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from here.
Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

• It should update automatically if the computer is connected to the internet.
• Click on Threat Scan and click on Scan Now.
  
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete make sure all the infections have "quarantine" selected in the Action box.
  
• Click on "Apply actions" You may be asked to Restart your computer to completely remove the infections.
  
• When disinfection is completed you can click on "Copy to Clipboard".
  
• Paste the log in you next reply (CTRL+ V)

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Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

•Warning! Once the scan is complete JRT will shut down your browser with NO warning.

•Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.

•Temporarily disable your Antivirus and any Antispyware real time protection before performing a scan. Click this link to see a list of security programs that should be disabled and how to disable them.

•Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click JRT and select Run as Administrator

•The tool will open and start scanning your system.

•Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.

•On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.

•Copy and Paste the JRT.txt log into your next message.
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Download Security Check by screen317 from one of the following links and save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2

* Double-click Security Check.bat
* Follow the on-screen instructions inside of the black box.
* A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt
* Post the contents of that document in your next reply.

Note: If a security program requests permission from dig.exe to access the Internet, allow it to do so.

[Yonderer]

Hello SuperDave,
I have just completed the procedures you outlined to the best of my abilities. I will attach the files requested. One of them I didn't get. Somehow I missed it. I'm not all that computer literate. There were a couple of places where my screens seemed to vary from the ones you described, but other than that your instructions were some of the clearest I've ever had, and I thank you for that. The annoying box is gone. I rather think that it came from speedtest.net by Ookla. I turned the computer off and restarted it. Then I disconnected the wifi. It didn't return for the rest of the evening. This morning It was not there when I started the computer and didn't return until a few minutes after I used speedtest.
I have been using speedtest as a few weeks ago my internet connection suddenly when very slow. I was getting download speeds of 0.22 mbps and as I'm paying for "Fast adsl 2+" from which I'm told I should be able to expect up to 20 mbps, I was quite upset and have been trying to get telstra to fix my problem. After considerable toing and froing I have a bloke ringing me to check on my speeds. He has got it up to around 4 mbps during the day but it drops to 1 or 2 in the evening. He recommended I use speedtest.net.
Anyhow that is another problem.
Cheers, and thanks very much for your help.
Dan

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[SuperDave]

Please do not attach your logs unless absolutely necessary. Copy and paste them in your reply(ies)
I've used Speedtest before and never had that problem. Please uninstall Speedtest to see if that fixes the problem.

[Yonderer]

Hi SuperDave,
I found out what the bloody thing was. It came from AVG.
I have been paying for AVG for a number of years. I think I'll look for another system especially if there is truth in the story going around that they are going to start selling clients information.
I find it hard to believe that an antivirus system would act so much like a virus
Thanks for your help.
Dan

[SuperDave]

I would suggest going with MicroSoft Security Essentials. It's free and effective. It's all I use on all my computers.

MicroSoft Security Essentials   All versions and all languages.