How do I remove a program, by a differnet method?

[Guest]

There are some "programs" on my computer that I can not remove through
convential means of using the control panel and using the add/remove programs
feature. When I select the program and hit remove it pops up a web page and
tell me to download something for the removal, which obviously does not
remove the pragram but adds tons of unwanted things onto my computer. Is
there a way to get around this ? By removing the program some other way ?
Such as typing some commands in the "run" option on the start menu ? I need
some help as I am very frustrated. I have tried three different spyware
removal tools and cna not get rid of it

 

[Yves Leclerc]

If the Add/Remove... is going to a web page, then you may have gotten
spywares.

Use these free removal tools:

AD Aware SE 1.05
Spybot: Search and Destroy 1.3
CWShredder

to remove "known" spywares.

Also, Microsoft's AntiSpyware Beta 1 has been helpful for me, but since it
is beta software, use it at your own risk!!!

 

[Mike Hall]

You would appear to be in the grip of spyware.. the authors of this crap
'legalise' themselves by 'offering' a way out.. all bogus of course.. the
programs they provide never work or produce a 404 error, and their e-mail
boxes are left permanently full so that any complaints are returned to you,
all unread.. but the fact that they appear to give you options is good
enough in the eyes of the law, whether they work or not.. the bodies that
could do something about this just do not have the manpower to deal with the
scope of the problem..



It gets worse too.. the ones that you do get to send will automatically put
you on a list for something else.. the best way is to clean your system and
quit replying to these things.. I know that it may seem like a cop out, but
one person can't fight alone..



For the record, I leave myself at risk by not munging my e-mail ID..
harvesters are out there looking for e-mail IDs to add to their lists, and
mine is undoubtedly included.. so why do I not hide or disguise my ID?..
simple.. I am prepared to take the hits.. the downside is that my e-mail ID
will be blocked by persons and companies unknown because it has been used by
these creeps to send viruses and other such 'goodies'.. if somebody wants to
e-mail me, I am not about to make it difficult.. so I live with it.. it is
my personal gesture to the creeps out there..



OK.. soap box aside..



Some basic steps to removing Spyware/Adware..



First step is to run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that McAfee
Stinger works for people.. download and run it..



http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/



You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware
are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..



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



http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
updates..



http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/



If you have had your Internet browser hijacked, that is to say, you get
redirected through a search engine NOT of your choosing, you will need
different tools..



HijackThis is a popular and effective tool.. download it from here..



http://www.spychecker.com/download/download_hijackthis.html



CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
download here..



CWShredder.. http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html



For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
bookmark it..



http://www.pchell.com



Please return to this thread and provide feedback.. it is the only way that
helpers here can determine how effective the advice given has been..



Good luck..


--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user