It is often wise to use several programs to scan for Malware..as what one misses another picks up. One of the best programs I can recommend for your particular issue is MalwareBytes Anti-Malware. There is a free version available. It does sound as though you have 'caught' a bug. I have 5 systems...(Why,you ask?...'cos I can!..I'm a tech)...with all versions of MSWin. from XP on to 7,and I use a combination on all systems of SpyBot S&D, SpyWare Terminator,Avast!,MalWareBytes,as well as the in-built Defender, (not much good IMHO) and of course the Microsoft Malicious Software Tool.If,after scanning with each of those,nothing is found or the problem still exists, my policy is: far better to lose any unsaved and inaccessible data and do a clean install..or if you have a branded system like yours,a factory restore. Sometimes the problem is not so much a malware problem as a conflicting program which corrupts system files....and Nortons has been often known to do this. My personal view is that any security program that requires one to visit their site to download a "special" cleanup tool to remove all remnants of their software,will never be knowingly installed by me unless by specific client request. I favour Avast!,Free & Pro,and Avira which is free.To the best of my experience I have not heard of issues from either of these,whilst I have about Nortons,McaFee etc. It seems the bigger the firm,the more bloatware goes in and more resources are required to run the program as well as the annoying nag screens and overall control these huge programs want over the system. BTW, you had not been forgotten...you must remember a lot of us live in other time zones and have work we must do. We come on here to give what help we can--when we can!