Windows XP forum: Security Center won't stay enabled

Disabling the Security Center is one of the favorite things viruses and spyware like to do, and it can be a sure sign of virus infection.

You say virus is unlikely with the utilities you have protecting it, but protecting it in the background isn't always enough. Have you updated the virus/spyware definitions for these applications and run full scans with them?

What I would do;

1] Disable System Restore. Viruses and other malware can hide in the backup files produced by System Restore points and anti-virus and anti-spyware utilities cannot remove malware from these protected files. Disabling System Restore deletes all the backup files. Be sure to re-enable it and create a new System Restore point once you are done.

2] Make sure all your anti-malware apps are up to date.

3] Reboot into Safe Mode and scan with each anti-malware utility, one at a time. In Safe Mode most malware cannot get started.

4] When you are done, boot back up into Normal Windows mode and visit the following for online scans;
a) Housecall at http://housecall.trendmicro.com and
b) Ewido at http://www.ewido.net/en/

Let them remove everything they find.

5] Re-enable System Restore and test the Security Center settings.

I hope that helps

Mark

Mark, Tom- thanks. Will review your comments (we keep all the anti-malware updated) and report back. Your help is much appreciated.

Len

And that's interesting about Spybot's Teatimer preventing Windows Update from working properly.

Well done.

Mark