Anyone use Verizon FIOS? I have a rather urgent question

[TorchTheWitch]

I use a wireless connection for the internet for FIOS, but I'm having some serious stubborn malware issues at the moment. Does anyone now if it's ok to shut off the internet connection like we used to do with dial-up without shutting down the computer so I can do some fixes without the internet connection slowing things down to such a crawl that programs freeze or never finish opening at all? I've noticed that if I temporarily disable my anti-virus software things pick up speed, but I'm not going to do that while still connected to the internet with this evil malware from hell.

In a nutshell, I want to remove Firefox completely through Add/Remove Software in the Control Panel since there are several pieces of ugly that the malware put in add-ons that I KNOW wasn't me (especially because they certainly don't look like legitimate add-ons) and the only add-ons I've ever used are AdblockerPlus and Download Helper. Those I was able to remove some of those add-ons there are a few that you can only disable, one of them being the file that launches the creepy malware, and they haven't been actually disabled because every time I have to reboot, the nasty little devil re-launches and the mess starts all over again. If I can just get rid of Firefox all together and THEN reboot, there won't be any add-ons for the malware to re-awaken. Then I can reconnect to the internet, download a fresh Firefox and re-add my two usual add-ons, and I'll FINALLY be fee of this pestilence.

The problem is though that while being connected to the internet I can't disable my anti-virus to speed things up just enough so that Add/Remove Software actually completes launching... it's sat there for a couple of HOURS never getting to the point of listing all the programs to choose to remove, but in the task manager it claims that it's still running instead of saying it's not responding. I've already spent the last two days plowing through everything stored on the computer... photos, videos, mp3's, and more crap than I had any idea was cluttering up the thing, and though it's helped somewhat most of the time I still can't finally get the list of programs to remove in Add/Remove Software though I've been able to get into it a couple of times to try de-cluttering, but that was before I discovered that these nasties were hiding in my add-ons in Firefox, which was how the bugger was able to relaunch itself during a shutdown to reboot. There was only a couple of nasties in Internet Explorer, but those two I was able to delete and zapped them out of the Recycle Bin into the ether.

So, anyone know? And for sure so I don't end up blowing up my computer which I can't afford to replace? It seems that it should be doable... not everyone wants to always be connected to the web when doing something on the computer. I can't find anything specific about this on the internet, and with my computer crawling it takes forever to try to open one single webpage.

Thanks in advance, and sorry to be posting this in GD, but I seem to be the only person in the Computer forum tonight, and with my CPU usage at 100% for every single file I really need to get this done before I really do end up blowing up my computer and all the vital stuff on here will cease to exist... and I'd hurl it out of the window only in the event I don't end up hurling myself through it first.

TIA!

[mrmpa]

1. I have Fios..................

I don't see a problem in shutting off the router. I have done this in the past when I've run into problems. BTW what the hell are we doing up at this time 3:38 a.m. EST?

[TorchTheWitch]

3. I'm usually up at this time

I'm a night person.

Thanks for the info. Now, if this doesn't work I dive out the window. I may not even bother opening it first.

:hugs:

[Blanket Statements]

2. Yes. Just flip the switch on the router

You will lose your TV guid while it's down.
Of course you could just turn off your wifi on your computer too

As long as your login info is saved you'll be logged on again

[TorchTheWitch]

4. oh crap, I can't remember my password

Will I need that? Or is this for the tv? I only have FIOS for the internet. Though I own a nice flat screen it makes a more handy drying rack for winter sweaters. No, really, I just use it to watch DVD's and the occasional old VHS film. I just can't come to grips with having to pay for tv.

So, what login info do I need other than my email name and a password I hope I have written down somewhere?

[Blanket Statements]

5. The access key is on the router should you forget

[Johnny Noshoes]

6. Back up....

You didn't mention whether or not you have backed up your hard drive. Once you fix this problem if you don't already do it you need to back up your system so that the next time something happens you will have an easier time fixing the problem. Avoid disasters and always back up your data.

[ThomThom]

7. yes shut it down

hope you got things backed up or can restore to a previous time when things weren't infected
and firefox was a huge problem for me, got rid of it no problem since fortunately I had a separate back-up
you may have wipe the hard drive and reload software