spyware/adware removal

[yanyu]

Hi,

I have been plagued recently by pop up ads, even when I
am not using IE. If I leave my computer alone for an
hour, I will return to find 30+ popups waiting for me.
And when I work on my computer typing in Word or using
other programs, the popups will come and disrupt my
typing, as the active window is changed. This has been
fustrating.

I have tried numerous anti-spyware programs:
Spybot- Search and Destroy
Bazooka
Ad-ware 6.0

they did manage to find stuff to remove, but the tracking
cookies just keep returning.

I have just tried SpyBlocs 2.0 and it gives a list of
possible stuff to remove. However it advises to show the
list to a professional to determine which components
should be kept or deleted. Would anyone be able to help
me on this?

Or are there any recommendations on spyware/adware
removal programs? Thanks!

fustrated and tired,
yanyu

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Yanyu,

If the title bar reads as MESSENGER SERVICE, then it the world famous Messenger SPAM. Install a Firewall to prevent the pop-ups. Enable the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP:

1. Open Network Connections
2. Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
3. On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.

This blocks the TCP ports responsible for Messenger data tranmissions and prevents Pop-ups.

More Reading:
===========

Messenger Service of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;168893

Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Free Online Virus Scanners and Security Tests:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Scanners.htm



Hi,

I have been plagued recently by pop up ads, even when I
am not using IE. If I leave my computer alone for an
hour, I will return to find 30+ popups waiting for me.
And when I work on my computer typing in Word or using
other programs, the popups will come and disrupt my
typing, as the active window is changed. This has been
fustrating.

I have tried numerous anti-spyware programs:
Spybot- Search and Destroy
Bazooka
Ad-ware 6.0

they did manage to find stuff to remove, but the tracking
cookies just keep returning.

I have just tried SpyBlocs 2.0 and it gives a list of
possible stuff to remove. However it advises to show the
list to a professional to determine which components
should be kept or deleted. Would anyone be able to help
me on this?

Or are there any recommendations on spyware/adware
removal programs? Thanks!

fustrated and tired,
yanyu

 

[JAX]

Please excuse the "cookie cutter" response but, this works for me.
First, USE A FIREWALL. The onboard IFC is minimal. Below, you will find a
link to ZoneAlarm free firewall. Also, download, install, update and run the
two spyware removal tools linked below. The second item linked is a spyware
blocker. It does not remove spyware, it keeps *most* of it from being
installed. Install and update it and then run the spyware removal tools
again. The last link is to a popup blocker that I have found to work well.
All of these tools are freeware.

ZoneAlarm
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?lid=pdb_za1

SpywareBlaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Ad-aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

Spybot S&D
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download



Popup Stopper

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



HTH, JAX

 

[yanyu]

Thank you for all your replies. I have checked the
firewall from WinXP but that doesn't help. I have used
SpyBot and Ad-ware 6.0 but those couldn't solve the
problem either.

From the 'SpyHunter' freeware I am using,
the 'PurityScan' is always found on my registry
under 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\purityscan'. When I
remove it and restarts the computer, it shows up again.
Most of the popups comes from 'www.clickspring.net'
and 'fastclick' and they appear every 2-3 minutes.

I have read that PurityScan causes a pop-up every 2-3
minutes. So is there a way to totally eliminate
PurityScan?

Thanks!
fustrated.