How to get rid of computer virus?

[colinB]

I downloaded a london transport map yesterday and sensed there was something wrong but couldnt stop it. Now i have some american thing caaled rebate .com and a pc speed virus pop up. They both show up on my desktop.
Is there any safe way to get rid of these? :(

[Puffin]

I've used this to good effect to remove similar bastard infections.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/anti-virus/malwarebytes-anti-malware

Or you could try this

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer-1054/2010/3/rebate-informer-remove-desktop.htm

[Jac Hawk]

run something like adaware

[Alex_UK]

Doesn't sound like a virus - as others have eluded to - probably "adware" - I've always had good results wth SpyBot - http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot-Search-Destroy/1043809773/1 - click the blue "Download Spybot S&D" Right hand side

[spendorman]

Malwarebytes is good, I use free version, best do a full scan, not the fast one.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Has found stuff that Spybot and Adaware had not.

Found Spybot and Adaware good as well though.