Spyware and Adware!!!

[A50#]

This crap is driving me up the freakin' wall! I currently run Spybot and a Yahoo Anti spy but neither seem to be doing the job. Can anyone suggest something better. I want stealth protection from this garbage!

 

[Big Angus]

Angus

My guy backed up all my files and zapped my computer back to square one by rebooting my sytems and applications disks that came with the computer. If you have as much crap as I think you have, then you will likely need to clear your entire system.
Angus

 

[JETHRO TULL]

A-50........HERE IS WHAT MY GIRL DID AND IT WORKED!

GO TO MOZILLA.COM OR MOZILLA.ORG.......NOT ONE POP UP SINCE. IT'S TERRIFIC.

 

[jimpaul]

This crap is driving me up the freakin' wall! I currently run Spybot and a Yahoo Anti spy but neither seem to be doing the job. Can anyone suggest something better. I want stealth protection from this garbage!

As far as an Anti-Virus program, use AVG:

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/1/

Protection from Adware programs, use AdawareSE:

http://www.lavasoft.com/

Firewall protection, use Kerio:

http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

Stopping popups, use Popupstopper:

http://www.panicware.com/product_downloads.html

Preventing your browser from being hijacked, use Spyware Guard:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html



Make sure that you keep the programs updated. If, for some reason you can't find out anything wrong after running these programs (doubtful), download and run this program called Hijack This:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

and post the scan to either here:

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?b=1

or here:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/index.php?


It may take a little reading and/or searching on your part but you should be able to work everything out. Let me know if you have any problems!


Btw, I almost forgot, they are all free programs.

I also forgot about Spybot S&D:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html


Hope it helps
jim

 

[xcelbeyond]

I use Ad-Aware (freeware) that's WAY BETTER than Spybot (used that before). You ALSO want to get a Registry Cleaner - I've got one called jv16 PowerTools.

BE AWARE OF a freeware program called RegCleaner. It works real nice BUT when I installed it, it loaded Adware - Norton Antivirus found it but couldn't erase it. I wrote down all the infected files and had to delete them in "Safe Mode." After doing this my registry was all f*cked up cause I was getting an error message saying it couldn't find this (Adware) program during startup!!! The author's website claims he didn't include the adware - so it must be the assholes that host sites where you download it that are adding it.

I'm also running Firefox 1.0 (Mozilla) but don't think it's foolproof. I got a trojan when I was browsing the other night. Another one of those where Norton found it but couldn't delete it. I was able to get rid of it before it did anything. All this is happening on my brand-new computer!

I got the most Spyware/Adware when I was installing software via online. I had to use Internet Explorer, so the first thing I did was do all the upgrades to Explorer. Then I updated my Windows 2000 software - all of this done via the Microsoft site. During this process I got not less than 5 different Spyware/Adware. I'll bet most people that have ever downloaded anything off the internet have a ton of it and never knnow they're being watched. Many clain it's for marketing purposes but I believe it can be much more that's being watched.

 

[xcelbeyond]

Firewall protection, use Kerio:

http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

Preventing your browser from being hijacked, use Spyware Guard:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html

I'm using Sygate Personal Firewall Pro and Spywareblaster (freeware).

Spywareblaster looks like a decent program that's suppose to prevent spyware, adware, trojans and viruses from being installed on your computer. But the other night when I got the trojan it didn't stop it! Is Spyware Guard suppose to do the same thing?

 

[jimpaul]

No xcel, trojans are a class of viruses and that's what AVG would have told you about immediately. Spyware Guard prevents programs from trying to give you a new homepage and such.

I've never used SpywareBlaster. Be carefull as I've seen some programs SAY that they prevent them when in actuality, they are them.

jim

 

[Wolfpack]

If the Spyware and Adware are already on your computer, they will have to be removed by a technician or possibly by doing what Big Angus suggested. The antivirus programs will not be able to get rid of most of them. If you do get rid of them you need to get the latest anti-virus program like Norton Internet Security 2005. Also what Jethro suggested about Mozilla. It's a free web browser like Explorer, called Firefox. There was an article about this in the USA Today last week. Explorer is susceptible to Spyware and Adware because of a program called ActiveX. This program allows other people to upload programs to your computer when you're online and track where you go, obtain passwords, and personal info. If you have Windows XP you can get a free upgrade from Microsoft called Service Pack 2. Once installed this program will tell you immediately if someone is using ActiveX to access your computer. If you have a new computer with Windows XP, they will already have the Service Pack 2 installed. The Mozilla/Firefox browser doesn't support the ActiveX technology, so if you don't have XP or the Service Pack 2 to upgrade it, it would be best to use Mozilla as your browser. Sorry that was so long.

 

[jimpaul]

If the Spyware and Adware are already on your computer, they will have to be removed by a technician or possibly by doing what Big Angus suggested.
The antivirus programs will not be able to get rid of most of them.

jim: No, your right, Antivirus (AVG) gets rid of viruses. But the other programs that I gave links to should help you get rid of mostly all the other malware, spyware, adware and hijacking programs.

If you do get rid of them you need to get the latest anti-virus program like Norton Internet Security 2005. Also what Jethro suggested about Mozilla. It's a free web browser like Explorer, called Firefox. There was an article about this in the USA Today last week. Explorer is susceptible to Spyware and Adware because of a program called ActiveX. This program allows other people to upload programs to your computer when you're online and track where you go, obtain passwords, and personal info.

jim:One thing you can do is go into Tools, Intenet Options, Security and then Custom Level and disable ActiveX Controls downloads and other security settings. There are many trusted sites that you can do a little research on, that will help you set up these settings to your options, if someone wants to protect their systems themselves.

If you have Windows XP you can get a free upgrade from Microsoft called Service Pack 2. Once installed this program will tell you immediately if someone is using ActiveX to access your computer. If you have a new computer with Windows XP, they will already have the Service Pack 2 installed. The Mozilla/Firefox browser doesn't support the ActiveX technology, so if you don't have XP or the Service Pack 2 to upgrade it, it would be best to use Mozilla as your browser. Sorry that was so long.

jim

 

[musclezonelabs]

This crap is driving me up the freakin' wall! I currently run Spybot and a Yahoo Anti spy but neither seem to be doing the job. Can anyone suggest something better. I want stealth protection from this garbage!

hey bro beware yahoo antispyware is adware placed 26 adware programs
on my pc

thanks

 

[rAJJIN]

hey bro beware yahoo antispyware is adware placed 26 adware programs
on my pc

thanks

Whats up MZL!!
Good to see you over here old buddy.

 

[TooPowerful4u]

Well i just got Ad-Aware from lavasoft and it cleaned over 1k things off my puter. I opened internet explorer for the first time in 3 months without a popup! My puter is faster and everything works great. GET IT

 

[G.E.R.M]

..

i do this all day long and here is the best way to clean computers..

run Adaware...clean everything it finds...

then run spybot search and destroy...
then turn on immunization as well as blocking of active x with spybot..

then go to housecall.antivirus.com and run the scan...

remove anything any programs finds...

if any program asks for a reboot to remove programs before they are loaded....do it...

do NOT install SP2 is my personal recomendation i have seen it destroy over 50 computers so far...literally....

if you are having trouble doing any of the above try it in safe mode with networking....


a big key thing is anytime a box popups on your screen for whatever reason, even if you are installing a program you bought....READ IT and dont let it install extra options you dont need or that may be spyware...

oh and download firefox and use that... although you can still get spyware placed on your machine while using it if you go to a "bad" site, its immune to hijacking and popups....

and for the most part the "trojans" that are picked up nowadays arent really trojans the way you think they are and the word trojan doesnt describe the item the way we think of a trojan from 2 or 3 yrs ago....the use of the terminology has broadened to include items it shouldnt...

 

[judas stone]

the fix

ok, all is not lost. you can fix your system, but you must become proactive in stopping spyware and viruses as well as relying on software to protect you. first lets get you fixed up. download these programs, all free, and all excellent highly rated products.

AVG virus scanner (self explanatory...a good, easy to use, virus scanner)

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/1/

Ad AWARE (better then spybot IMHO, and get rid of that yahoo thingy it might even be part of the problem)

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE...045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5

ZONE ALARM ( a damn good, did i mention DAMN GOOD, FREE firewall, not only stops stuff from getting in your puter but informs you as stuff trys to call out from your PC)

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp

FIREFOX (mozillas firefox browser, stop using internet explorer ASAP and switch to this, it includes a pop up blocker and many security features that will help stop hackers and spyware in their tracks)

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/


first, download and install these programs, these will give you a solid basic security base to work from. use AD AWARE first, first thing you do is open it up and click the check for updates button, if there are any updates download and install them before you RUN it for the first time. when thats done run it at its default settings, anything it doesnt like tell it to quarantine and remove. its good at not removing anything you need.

second, open the AVG virus scanner, as with ad aware it has a check for updates button. get any updates and run it at its default settings.

thirdly, the ZONE ALARM firewall will give you pop ups that tell you when a program or something on your PC is trying to access the internet. use some common sense here, if you just opened up a internet browser and zone alarm gives you a pop up that says a browser is trying to access the internet then its ok. but if something is trying to call out and you dont know what it is put the name of it in GOOGLE and research what it is before letting it have permission to access the internet.


lastly, firefox, use it, learn it, love it. its a great browser that will help eliminate alot of the problems your having just by using it. put shortcuts to all the above programs in a folder on your desktop and remeber to update and run them at least weekly. this may take a bit of time and be a pain in the ass but it will go along way towards keeping your pc clean. best of luck.

 

[A50#]

Thanks for all the help guys. I think I'm headed in the right direction now. I've removed the Yahoo Anti Spy. I downloaded the Ad-Aware and it detected 470 items that were threats . I already shelled out the cash for Norton Securtiy Suite 2005 so we will see how well that works when it gets here. jimpaul and judas stone...thank you guys for the links...they came in handy.

 

[G.E.R.M]

..

adaware or spybot never get everything thats why u should use both...

norton internet security is not too good bro...

but then again i am a high end user and have no virus protection or spyware protection on the computer i am typing this from, i dl tons off kazza and never had a problem ever with viruses or spyware... and oh yeah, i go to tons of porn sites as well without incident...


i would have given you norton 2k5 for free if you wanted bro..

i really need to get my ftp back up and running so you guys can dl all the shit you want without paying for it.

 

[jimpaul]

A50# anytime I can help. Everyone gave you some pretty good advice.
But some of the best I heard was G.E.R.M. telling you that those 2 programs won't get rid of everything. I use so many different programs because there are so many kinds of threats out there. You can learn a lot from Spyware Forums and Troubleshooting Forums. If there's a time when you run all your protection programs and the problem still persists, then you may have to disable System Recovery (temporarily) and then rerun the programs again as some of them hide in there and bring themselves back to life when the system reboots.

Some are real sneaky like that.
good luck
jim

 

[EngiCream]

but then again i am a high end user and have no virus protection or spyware protection on the computer i am typing this from, i dl tons off kazza and never had a problem ever with viruses or spyware... and oh yeah, i go to tons of porn sites as well without incident...

haha, same here.

people need to be more conscience of what they're clicking on and especially what they install.

The biggest things I do are use a firewall (Kerio) and run windows update every week or so.....that's about it.

I've tried firefox and like it, but I have no problems with IE so I really don't feel the need to change.

I've put sp2 on about 10 machines and it has worked out well.

I download a ton of shit from emuleplus and it's always worked out fine.

good luck to those having problems though....I've had my share and they're frustrating to say the least.

 

[PharmD27]

I agree use Ad Aware then Spybot S&D

If you have some problems with HiJacked pages (your start page goes to some random page that is crap and won't let you change it), you should download CWShredder.com and HiJackThis! Please post the results from a HiJackThis or registry cleaner to get opions on a forum that could help you lest you get error messages 24/7 from you comp or worse.