Bad Thingy

[bkaras]

I think that I have a virus/worm/bad thingy. Amongst other things, it
takes a longer time to open TXT files, and my PC tends to run out of
resources sooner than before (about three weeks ago).

1. How can I tell for sure (well almost <g>) that I have a bad thingy
in my PC?

2. How would I get rid of it -- if a simple Delete won't work?

Thank you,

Barry Karas

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

I think that I have a virus/worm/bad thingy. Amongst other things, it
takes a longer time to open TXT files, and my PC tends to run out of
resources sooner than before (about three weeks ago).

1. How can I tell for sure (well almost <g>) that I have a bad thingy
in my PC?

2. How would I get rid of it -- if a simple Delete won't work?

What you need is a 'Good Thingy' (tm), more often known as a virus
scanner. Either download and install one of the free ones, or buy one,
or use one of the free online scans (Trend Housecall, for instance).

www.google.com, or groups.google.com is the easiest way to find any/all
of those.

In case the bad thingy is actually spyware/trojan (which virus scanners
may not find) you might want to look at "spybot S&D" as well (free
download).

 

[The Prophecy]

I think that I have a virus/worm/bad thingy. Amongst other things, it
takes a longer time to open TXT files, and my PC tends to run out of
resources sooner than before (about three weeks ago).

1. How can I tell for sure (well almost <g>) that I have a bad thingy
in my PC?

2. How would I get rid of it -- if a simple Delete won't work?

Thank you,

Barry Karas

Well this "bad thingy" of yours could be just about anything. But here is a
start.

--
Download, update and use the following:

Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/

Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Spyware Blaster
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
http://www.net-integration.net/tools/spywareblaster.html

CWShredder (CoolWebSearch remover)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip

Spy Sweeper
http://www.webroot.com

 

[bkaras]

I have used anti-virus and ad/spyware programs for many years. The
problem: my PC got a virus the other day, even with all the
protection. Now perhaps this as it should be since those programs are
very close to, but not 100% effective.

Barry Karas