How can I get rid of a virus on Windows Live Messenger?

I put Windows Live Messenger on my computer for my wife but somehow a Virus has got into the program, because it sends messages from her friends when they are not online and it has messages in the window that have some kind of Link with a .Ru at the end the link. Does anyone have a advice on how I can clean this up?

How can I get rid of a virus on Windows Live Messenger?windows mobile

Maybe first trying a virus scanner to remove the virus?

Use AVG (I think that is what it is called) if you want something free, or use like Norton or Mcafee to remove it.

How can I get rid of a virus on Windows Live Messenger?www.microsoft.com internet explorer

It wasn't Live Messenger that gave you the virus. You must have had the virus before you installed Messenger and when you ran Messenger, it activated the virus.

I would strongly recommend doing several different virus scans on your computer...

Here are some links to check out.. the first one is an online virus scanner from Norton

The second is where you can get FREE AVG Anti Virus..

The third is Ad-Aware - eliminates spies/ads

The fourth is C Cleaner... cleans out your cookies, cache...

All of these will be greatly beneficial to you...

Scan your computer for viruses, spies, ads...etc...
If she never actually clicked on the link, then she shouldn't be infected. Try running your resident antivirus and antispyware products. You can also confirm if there is an infection by running an online scan. Here are a few sites:

Trend - http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Panda - http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/Ac...

Norton - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/defau...

If she isn't infected, she should go into the messenger options and disable the "Allow links in the conversation windows" which should be located under Security
No offense intended, but tell the wife to never click on any link that is sent to her in an instant messege and she won't get viruses though it. Especially ones received offline. Thats just basic computer security and common sense101.

Since the exact type of infection is unknown, I would Run both of these on-line scans. Both are free and excellent at detecting and removing malware free of charge. There is no need to un-install any of your current protections before using these.

1. Scan for virus, worms, dialers, etc. and remove (free online scan, no downloaded program) with BitDefender's Online Scanner

http://www.bitdefender.com/

2. Scan for trojans, adware, cookies, and spyware and remove (free online scan, no downloaded program) with Ewido Online Scanner ( now known as AVG Anti-Spyware). This is NOT the same as AVG Anti-Virus.

http://www.ewido.net/en/

These scans will take quite a bit of time. The time is necessary to clean-up an infected computer.

Good luck.