Host File - editing

[Guest]

My computer is a mess. It is slow and the pop ups seem to increase every
time I use it. I frequently scan with Ad-Aware and Spybot. I also run
McAfee antivirus. I also recently added Microsoft Antispyware (after reading
some of the posts, I'm thinking of uninstalling it). I am wondering, though,
about using the advanced tools on Microsoft Antispy to edit my host file.
After reading the instructions, I can't decide whether blocking some of the
files (disabling them) will make my situation better or worse. I'm sorry if
this sounds like a stupid question to those of you who are more tech advanced
than I am, but will I be allowing them to pop up by disabling them from my
host file? Or will I be blocking them from popping up? I have also
considered getting hijack-this, but am afraid that I am not knowledgable
enough to use it without doing damage to my computer. I just want to put an
end to the constant pop ups and spyware issues.

 

[Jerry]

You stop pop-ups by getting a pop-up blocker, not by editing the HOSTS file.
Try www.panicware.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Jerry, but I already have a pop up blocker. I have the MSN Toolbar
with pop up blocker. The pop ups that I am referring to are full browser
windows and I believe they are caused by spyware that I cannot seem to get
rid of with the antispyware programs that I have been running. I thought
that editing my Host file might help.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

I would try HiJackThis and post the log to a forum for advice.

http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html

http://aumha.net/

However, they do expect you to take steps to clean your computer
beforehand. You have gone someway towards this but you could:

Run Disk Cleanup to remove Temporary Internet Files.

Run CWShredder - to remove variants of the
CoolWebSearch hijacker.
http://www.merijn.org/cwschronicles.html

Some free stand-alone AV tools:

http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/8/lng/us/tpl/v5/nid/3001#3001
http://www.f-secure.com/download-purchase/tools.shtml

Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

All these programmes, except Disk CleanUp are best run in safe mode. Do
it in stages and remove System Restore Points using the option in Disk
CleanUp, More Options after each occasion you remove a nasty.

These are time consuming procedures. Unfortunately no anti-virus or
anti-spyware programme detects every problem so you need to run a number
to get to a clean computer. Also you will mostly likely think you have
got run of a nasty only for it to reappear.

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FCA

Using invalid email address

Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Don't edit your HOSTS file. Go here, do some reading
and download the MVPS HOSTS file.

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

MVPS HOSTS file is a free download from:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/

It's what I use. ;-)

Check back once in awhile, there are newer versions.

Also think about getting this...

SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from
ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Download, install, run, update and run again.

Keep all of your anti scumware and antivirus software UPDATED.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In