can't download anything

[quaker13]

windows vista sp2, 32 bit, home premium.

everytime I try to download anything it says it is a virus and blocks it. this includes Microsoft security essentials from Microsoft, adobe flash, java, and windows updates.

security settings are default, no antivirus, just malwarebytes. there are no security toolbars

[obsidian]

If you don't have an antivirus, what's blocking your downloads and reporting it as a virus? Do downloads work in safe mode?

My guess is that you have a piece of malware on your computer that is masking itself as an "antivirus" and blocking your downloads. Whatever is blocking your download may even have a link on it that tells you to pay them a certain amount of money so that they can fix the problem (don't do this). It's a common scam.

If that is indeed the case, you can try getting an antivirus software and running it in safe mode or better yet if it can be run from a separate bootable disk. If that doesn't work, you can try disabling any suspicious services in safe mode which will stop the malware from starting. You may need to also re-enable basic OS services to get updates to work. Worst case scenario, format, reinstall OS.

[quaker13]

no antivirus. had avast, but uninstalled to change to MSE.

malwarebytes shows no infections, and there are no popups.

IE9 and down where you click run, save, cancel...it says download contains virus and has been blocked

went to msconfig and disabled all so nothing should be running to block me

[obsidian]

Have you tried booting to safe mode?

Do other browsers work?

[quaker13]

tried safe mode. tried firefox and google chrome. tried IE without addons

doesn't make sense

[obsidian]

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index ... c=123606.0

http://forums.cnet.com/7723-6122_102-53 ... r-firefox/

[quaker13]

thanks, will try them tomorrow

[quaker13]

the second link worked. thank you