unknown publisher

kscatt · May 1, 2010

My full version of AVG just ran out a few days ago so i'm looking for a new antivirus program.
I've downloaded trial versions of different scanners but I always get the same error message when iI try and install the program. "unknown publisher"
Vista will not let me install antivirus software or any service packs.

Vista 32bit home edition
OS - Internet Explorer

Pages don't load completely, runs very slow. I know a little about computers, I guess an average user.

I really need some help with this

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

mitchell · May 1, 2010

Hallo kscatt, There is a lot of Malware around at the moment that masquerade as legitimate Anti virus/malware solutions (in saying this please use the download links submitted by our Forum members)

A good place to start is to download Malwarebytes free standalone scanner, update it & run a Scan;

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: Malwarebytes

If you are going to discontinue with AVG then uninstall it & then run the removal tool;

http://www.vistax64.com/system-security/261003-list-anitvirus-removal-tools.html

You can then look at another Anti Virus here is a list of free ones with the appropriate download links;

http://www.vistax64.com/system-security/276555-free-anti-virus-softwares.html

There is a possibility malware may be blocking you from installing programs so see how you go with Malwarebytes scanner & if there are any problems let us know

EDIT: Just an after thought i think AVG paid version has its own firewall it would pay to check & turn on Windows Firewall if necessary;

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/92697-windows-firewall-off.html

EDIT: A couple of things i should have mentioned before. when you download your installer to say your desktop, right click on it & select Properties then choose the option to Unblock/Apply/OK

Then to install right click on the installer again then select Run as Administrator

kscatt · May 2, 2010

I'm awake and getting ready to tackle this again.

I will take notes of all I do so that I can explain better what happens.

Thanks for all the advice.

Kim

kscatt · May 2, 2010

I didn't get too far......Malwarebytes program is something the I use and have on the computer. It says current 12/11/2009 database version 3348

I went and ran the update, after it told me it was going to install it a box popped up and said that the setup files were corrupted. Do I uninstall the one on my computer and obtain a new copy? What if I am unable to download it - the computer has stopped me all day yesterday from downloading everything.

Thanks for the help.
Kim

mitchell · May 2, 2010

Hallo Kim, because you cant download or install anything we may have to take a different approach.
First see if your computer will allow you to run this free online scan;

Free ESET Online Antivirus Scanner

If not you may have to go to a friends computer Super anti spyware has a portable scanner you can run from a USB stick Caution:( any of your USB sticks may be infected so it would pay to borrow or purchase a new one, please do not infect your friends computer)
This portable scanner has a file name that malware is not supposed to recognize so it may give you enough leeway to get things running again;

Edit: If you do this download a new Malwarebytes installer to the USB stick & drop it into My Documents on your computer for a later stage (do not try to install it)

SUPERAntiSpyware.com - SUPERAntiSpyware Portable Scanner

The next option is a rescue disk which you can download and burn to a CD on another computer then insert the disk in your computer & Restart so the disk can scan before Windows loads.
There area number of links for these disks in this blog;

Removing Viruses from a PC That Won’t Boot — Krebs on Security

I hope this is enough to get things running again

mitchell · May 2, 2010

kscatt said:
My full version of AVG just ran out a few days ago so i'm looking for a new antivirus program.
I've downloaded trial versions of different scanners but I always get the same error message when iI try and install the program. "unknown publisher"
Vista will not let me install antivirus software or any service packs.

Vista 32bit home edition
OS - Internet Explorer

Pages don't load completely, runs very slow. I know a little about computers, I guess an average user.

I really need some help with this

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Hi Kim, another afterthought when you are trying to download are you selecting "Run" or "Save"?

If you are selecting Run try Save (say to your desktop) & see if it makes a difference.

Its the Unknown Publisher alert that has me thinking of this :huh:

unknown publisher

kscatt

New Member

My Computer

System One

mitchell

Ngai Tahu/Tau Iwi

My Computer

System One

kscatt

New Member

My Computer

System One

kscatt

New Member

My Computer

System One

mitchell

Ngai Tahu/Tau Iwi

My Computer

System One

mitchell

Ngai Tahu/Tau Iwi

My Computer

System One