Thanks to both of you. Sorry Owbist. I didn't think realize a link would be helpful. It was just a few words of praise for AVG2014 in a comment by Aputernut13 in a thread on this forum. Here's a link: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/comphelp/msg1215174010356.html?11

Yes, it was a virus trying to scare you into buying bogus anti-virus software. If you had done that, you not only would have been ripped off for the purchase price, you might have had your credit card number stolen, and also gotten an even worse computer infection. AVG and Malwarebytes will hopefully quarantine this and allow you to delete it. If the problem recurs, start up your computer in Safe Mode and run your scans that way.

Agree just leave AVAST for now since you have it on and it is running well you are good there with an active Antivirus program. What I suggest people do with Avast is to set up the scanner in screen saver, go to your screen saver settings area and select Avast screensaver from the list, in Advanced you can select which screen saver to have it use while Avast scans. Save your settings then anytime your pc goes to screen saver it will start scanning, when it is interrupted it stops then starts where it left off the last time etc, works great. As Zep said AVAST is constantly scanning so you really don't have to do scans like you do with others. I would go with the windows firewall it is a decent firewall. But if you want to use zone alarm since you have it that is fine but you do have to turn off the windows one like zep gave directions for. You have the same programs I use, malwarebytes, superantispyware, spywareblaster, update weekly and do scans. That first AVAST scan does take a long time to run and yes windows 7 is a large program so you will have a lot of files to scan. You are applying a very good layered protection on your pc. Just remember to also use the secunia software inspector to keep all programs updated too.

(P.S.: If you have 300GB of RAM, you should take that computer on Jeopardy with you!) That made me truly laugh out loud! LOL sometimes when that happens it is because you may be missing a specific plug in for your browser do you see anywhere that it says you need some plug in to view it? Be sure your java and flash are both updated to the latest versions. You can use this scanner which will tell you what needs updating on your pc Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI)