Why does my windows firewall keep turning off

[user2310]

My firewall turns off and back on by itself. Icon will appear in taskbar indicating a problem. I have Windows XP SP3 and no other firewall software. I have MIcro Trend AV and Webroot Spy Sweeper running, but nothing is reported from them. Any suggestions would be helpful

 

[aford10]

My first thought is some sort of malware.

Try booting into safe mode with networking (f8 on startup). Download, install, and update malwarebytes. Do a full system scan.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

 

[saran008]

I suspect you're seeing the effects of a hijackware infection
which either cannot be detected by your security apps or which has disabled
them completely.

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30

MS PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in dealing
with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted
software), and adware.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&prid=7552&st=1

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent computer repair shop.

 

[aford10]

If you've got malware on your system, chances are malwarebytes will be able to remove it. It's one of the best antimalware scanners available. Just make sure you do the whole download/install/scan process in safe mode with networking. Most malware is dormant in this OS mode. The scanner will have less chance of being infected or suppressed during the scan.

 

[user2310]

Thanks for choices. For now, I am taking the MS PCSafety link, since I believe its a MS issue first and not malware. If that turns into a futile effort, the Malwarebytes link will be the next choice. However, I went to that site and clicked the free download for the tool and it directs me to MajorGeeks.com . Is this the correct place to get the tool? Upon hitting that page, what would be my next click? I see two links for download, but not sure. here is page I am directed to http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=5756 Thanks in advance to aford10 and saran008!

 

[Zoron]

MajorGeeks.com is a legitimate site... they host a lot of freeware, especially tools for fixing PC issues.

 

[aford10]

Yes, MajorGeeks is one of the download sites. Under "Download," there are 2 different USA mirrors you can download the program from.

 

[saran008]

Ya! majorgeeks is a good site for downloading free tools.
Don't worry! Good to go!

 

[user2310]

Sorry about delayed responses, trying to apply and interview for work. Tried many times to get Safe Mode(F8) to come up, but finally stumbled into the screen. Choose Safe Mode with networking, but then could not connect to any site, not even Google. Can I do the download before getting into safe mode and then run it while in safe mode?

 

[aford10]

Ya, you can do that. However, without network connection, you won't be able to update malwarebytes.

Are you sure you went to safe mode with networking, and not just safe mode? You should have network services running in safe mode with networking.

 

[user2310]

I took the long road approach and recovered my system back to original specifications(system recovery disk). After a few days of Windows updates being delivered via the net, I am back to where I was when I started this thread but without the annoying firewall issue. I am sure the issue was malware. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[aford10]

Thanks for the update.

You're welcome

 

[user2310]

Best answer selected by user2310.