One question and one problem.

[some guy]

First, the question:

 

What one Earth is a "Dongle"?

 

Secondly:

 

My home computer appears to have been infected with a virus (or several) but only on one of the accounts on the PC. I have no idea what to do. The other accounts are fine (I'm on one of those right now). Now the other day when this all began I did a thorough scan of the computer with the anti-virus stuff we've got (Avast anti-virus it's called) and it didn't make any difference. The only other option I can think of is deleting the infected account to avoid risking the entire comp from being infected. What shall I do (preferably without having to phone anybody and/ or take to a shop to have repaired)?

[alchemist]

A dongle is any device that is plugged into your computer usually used as a security device by software providers to protect the software licence and prevent pirating of the software.

 

Delete the affected user account and make sure all your antivirus and antispyware software is upto date

[megalithic]

Download and run Mbam, if there's anything untoward there it will find it.

 

Edit: Just use the free version, but update it before running, a quick scan should suffice.

[jimfdowning]

Ive sent you a message

 

If you need any help feel free to give me a call

 

Advice is free

 

07888 723080

[0742Sheff]

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=430957 should help. Make sure you do everthing using the computers administrators account (normally the first one created).

[NerdArmy]

A dongle is any device that is plugged into your computer usually used as a security device by software providers to protect the software licence and prevent pirating of the software.

 

Security dongles haven't been commonly used for years.

Its far more likely to refer to a USB adapter that you plug in to the PC, so that you can connect to the internet either via WIFI or Mobile Internet.