I have these msgs that are always popping up saying my computer is infected. I click on them and follow the intstructions for a scan and then when i get to the last part it gives me a payment page. I need protection but want to know if there are free solutions before I spend money.

Do not click on the pop-ups or follow the instructions it is a scam, the messages are fake as is the software they are trying to sell you remove it with the free software below.

How to remove Fake Software, Pop-Ups, Spyware, Trojans and Viruses:

Download, install, update and scan your computer with both Malwarebytes and SuperantiSpyware, delete what ever they find, if this fails to completely remove the virus/spyware download then update Avast and run a boot scan (click schedule boot-time scan and restart your PC), all the software below is free and safe to use.

Malwarebytes: www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SuperantiSpyware: www.superantispyware.com/

Avast Anti-Virus: www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

To protect your PC in the future you’ll need to install anti-virus software and a firewall, id recommend using Avast and Comodo Pro firewall both are very effective and completely free, you should also switch to Firefox 3 if you are browsing with IE as its much safer and a lot easier to use.

as Bring It On says, those popups themselves are the infection.

You should also install a popup blocker, if you don't already have one on your system. Unless it is old software, your browser should have one built in. Take a look and see if maybe you have it disabled.

All the free software mentioned is good stuff... i can also recommend these alternatives that i have used myself.

Firewall - Zone Alarm has always been my fave, and it's latest incarnation is really really good. Take a moment to read through CNET's review..

download.cnet.com/ZoneAlarm-Free-Firewal...0435_4-10039884.html

for anti virus i like AVG which is free for personal use.. very easy for non techies to understand and use, and updates itself daily with no fuss, keeping you well protected from all the latest bugs. It is the number one CNET antivirus download, beating second placed Avast by almost half a million downloads..

download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Ed...2.html?tag=mncol;pop


for removing any issues you already have.. you can try Trend Micro's 'Housecall' which is thorough and non invasive to your system... I always rexcommend it to friends with problems, and all have been happy.

housecall.trendmicro.com/uk/

for malware/adware/spyware protection, spybot search and destroy is excellent, and has a cool name!

www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

I believe in AVG which is free and has already been mentioned. A lot of folks I know use it and still love it while other freebies are going downhill.

I used AVG for a while after the Sasser worm in 2004 and was happy with it, till I couldn't seem to get its updates.

I now use a Norton software that's available through my ISP. It may be worth checking if one's available that way - I've known someone with my ISP who didn't realize one was included.

Thanks to you all. Malwarebytes found the virus. No more pop-ups!