Many people are discovering their computers are experiencing excessive slowdown due to the fact they have unknowingly downloaded a malicious spyware application called the System Security Virus or System Security 2009.
The effects of this nasty virus are well documented but there is some confusion as to how this virus is getting past antivirus software already installed on home computers and laptops.
It now seems even if you have an up to date antivirus program installed the System Security Virus has a few ways to get past your protection.
 My own experience of this virus on my work laptop caused me a lot of frustrating so I decided to find out how I got infected with it.
Reading various other reports on the internet I found out the most common way the virus gets installed on your computer is through browser security holes.
As I use the latest version of Firefox I ruled this method out and checked a few of my log files through the event viewer.
 I soon traced back to see the last thing I installed and discovered I downloaded a video codec 4 weeks ago.
The codec was from a reliable source (or so I thought) and it installed and worked without any trouble.
Somehow the Virus piggybacked onto my computer with the codec and never really presented itself until a few weeks later.
Some other ways the this Virus can be installed: Email attachments Unpatched and out of date browsers Bundled with other software products or applications User installations due to being tricked by popups I was able to remove the system security virus is by using Anti-Virus PLUS.
This also provide protection from other spyware/malware viruses in the future.