Security Center won't start/ is being disabled

Nerdherd101

New Member
So I've got a bit of a problem I believe may have something to do with a nasty malware/spyware program or virus. My windows security center won't start. When I open the security center it's off, and when I try to turn it on I get the message "the security center service can't be started". I know there have been other threads on this, and I've taken the steps they recommend to fix it, involving running "services" in the start>search/run, and setting security center to automatic. Unfortunately my problems extend beyond that. Once I set it to automatic, and "start" it, I can go to the security center and see that everything is running except the malware/spyware protection (ie. windows defender or my McAfee). McAfee says it's running, but the security center doesn't seem to notice, and Windows Defender is inoperable. If I try to "turn on" either one, the security center is disabled. If I go back into services and check I see that it has once again been set to "disabled". If I repeat the process and open the security center and do nothing, after a few moments it's disabled again. Something is actively shutting down my security center over and over again. I cannot get Windows Defender to run, if I try, nothing happens or if I do it quickly after setting the SC to automatic I see a box pop up for a split second before disappearing, and nothing happens until the SC is inevitably disabled again.

This started when I attempted to go to a page from a google image search, and was forwarded to page saying I needed a Firefox update to run some flash player features of the page. The page looked legit, with the Firefox logo and typical color patterns/fonts/images they use for their website, and after a few moments a download prompt box automatically pops up with the option to run or save a .exe file. I saved it and tried to run it, but nothing happened. A bit later I noticed my computer running slow and task manager>processes showed a few programs called something like "Zxr" running and taking up alot of the cpu memory. I stopped the programs and located (local/temp folder) and deleted the files, which allowed my computer to run at normal speed. I ran a McAfee virus scan which picked up 1 virus and dealt with it. Yet my problem still persists.

Please advise
 

My Computer

This is what you do
Run a full antivirus scan after you update it.
Download and run a full malwarebytes scan. If clean
Try a system restore and go back 3 days before the problem
Does not help?
Make a system restore point, download and try Microsoft Security Essentials
Malwarebytes and'
Windows Firewall
They should be problem feee
Be sure to uninstall your present Anti Virus with the uninstall tool..
I will be glad to help if you have questions
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76332-system-restore-point-create.html
How to uninstall or reinstall supported McAfee consumer products using the McAfee Consumer Products Removal tool (MCPR.exe)
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

All that I suggested is free
Mcafee costs up front plus and annual charge
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
I ran both a McAfee scan and the malware scan, but it still didn't fix the problem. I had to a system restore to 3 days ago. It worked after that.
Thanks for the help
 

My Computer

Great, glad my advice helped.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
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