spyware & adware

[elw]

What can be done to restore a computer infected with what
I've heard called "spyware & adware" to its original
glory. Running XP & IE 6. The user (an employee) has
obviously accepted multiple downloads of such crap without
realizing the consequences. Now the computer is slow, IE
is bombarded with pop-ups, etc. even for several minutes
after exiting explorer. Virus scan has been performed and
remove programs (the ones I could identify as foreign).
Still problems exist.

Will downloading the latest updates from Microsoft
overwrite such nonsense, or should I reinstall IE, edit
the registry, or is there another solution?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
What can be done to restore a computer infected with what
I've heard called "spyware & adware" to its original
glory. Running XP & IE 6. The user (an employee) has
obviously accepted multiple downloads of such crap without
realizing the consequences. Now the computer is slow, IE
is bombarded with pop-ups, etc. even for several minutes
after exiting explorer. Virus scan has been performed and
remove programs (the ones I could identify as foreign).
Still problems exist.

Will downloading the latest updates from Microsoft
overwrite such nonsense, or should I reinstall IE, edit
the registry, or is there another solution?

Thanks in advance for the help!
.

Ad-Aware might be a start...

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Downloading the latest updates from Microsoft will not remove the spyware. And the Anti-virus packages don't remove the spyware entirely. Run all of these spyware removers.

Note: Spyware removers are rules-based and are updated very frequently as and when new malware is discovered. Therefore, update both of these tools before scanning, very important.

Lavasoft Ad-Aware - www.lavasoftusa.com
SpyBot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/
CWShredder : http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe
Online Spyware scan: Do you have parasites?: http://aumha.org/a/noads.php

--
To prevent spyware from being installed in the future, read the security notes given here:

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
(Multiple methods discussed, I follow/use most of them)

Prevent malware from being installed
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

How to guard against CoolWebSearch spyware:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Defend_CWS.htm

Block AD/Spyware sites using HOSTS file [effective method]
HOSTS file guide: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k


What can be done to restore a computer infected with what
I've heard called "spyware & adware" to its original
glory. Running XP & IE 6. The user (an employee) has
obviously accepted multiple downloads of such crap without
realizing the consequences. Now the computer is slow, IE
is bombarded with pop-ups, etc. even for several minutes
after exiting explorer. Virus scan has been performed and
remove programs (the ones I could identify as foreign).
Still problems exist.

Will downloading the latest updates from Microsoft
overwrite such nonsense, or should I reinstall IE, edit
the registry, or is there another solution?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

What can be done to restore a computer infected with what
I've heard called "spyware & adware" to its original
glory. Running XP & IE 6. The user (an employee) has
obviously accepted multiple downloads of such crap without
realizing the consequences. Now the computer is slow, IE
is bombarded with pop-ups, etc. even for several minutes
after exiting explorer. Virus scan has been performed and
remove programs (the ones I could identify as foreign).
Still problems exist.

Will downloading the latest updates from Microsoft
overwrite such nonsense, or should I reinstall IE, edit
the registry, or is there another solution?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Secure your system and keep it protected/updated by following these tips:

You may have spyware/adware infesting your machine, follow the
appropriate section for that, making sure you use at least
THREE of the tools I list to scan and clean your machine AFTER
updating them. Cleaning up spyware/adware/malware usually
solves home page hijackers as well.

Please Notice that if you use AOL, you should at least upgrade to 9.0 or
greater before doing any of the fixes. I know you can get AOL 9.0 at almost
any convenience store, gas station, super market or other retail outlet in
the world, so this should not be a problem.


Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
(It has been reported that it now works with AOL 9.0+)


Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)


Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..
(Yes - using MORE than one of these..
I recommend at least the first three. Also..
UPDATE the definitions for them before using.)

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.net/

Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de

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

Hijack This!
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
- http://www.moosoft.com/
-

The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well.

And Assortment of Others:
http://spywareinfo.com/


After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW! Grisoft AntiVirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php


Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about
80 to 120MB (seems to be an optimal size for the normal user)

- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section,
do the following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the
"Amount of disk space to use:" to something between 80MB
and 120MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to
"Delete all offline contents" (the checkbox) and click
OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10 minutes or
more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer
- Re-open Internet Explorer.


Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever. (If you have something
installed but never use it, uninstall it.) If you go through Control
Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and see things you seldom if ever use, it is to
your advantage to remove it.


Also, if you are tired of Web Page Pop-Ups/Unders.. You could try the
Google Toolbar.
http://toolbar.google.com/


Stop loading applications at logon.. run MSCONFIG and look under the startup
tab for things you DON'T want to startup! Search the Internet with Google
to discover what things are safe to remove and what things may even be
malware infecting your computer.


Better control your email and lessen the amount of time you spend dealing
with SPAM:
SpamBayes
http://sourceforge.net/projects/spambayes/
or
Spamihilator.
http://www.spamihilator.com

 

[george]

Try Spybot, it's FREE and it works. It won't do 100% but
how does 98% sound?

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