Spyware

[Guest]

So I have Microsoft Antispyware, I do scans it detects stuff, I go with it's
suggestions, what to remove, quarantine etc. and then the next time I do a
scan the same files are back again. How do I get rid of them for good?? Is
there a way?

 

[Dave M]

Hi Prawn;
See the thread below this one, all your questions will be revealed...
"A relatively useless program (microsoft antispyware)"

 

[Guest]

Four BIG issues to be aware of.

1. Scan and remove spyware from the administrator account that installed
MSAS. Otherwise the removal WILL fail.

2. If trying to remove items with registered components (mostly found in
toolbars, deskbars, and the like), then using ANY antispyware app will FAIl
to remove it because it can't unregister those dll files. You must either
unistall it using the manual methods found on sites such as
http://www.sarc.com (Symantec, i.e., Norton) and other sites, or use the
uninstaller that came with the program.

3. Boot into Safe Mode to make certain that some files are not being
accessed when trying to remove the infection. Otherwise, the infection will
return.

4. If running XP, go to c:\windows\prefetch and delete the entire contents
of the folder, but not the folder itself. Otherwise, when you launch the app
that the infection might have linked code to, the infection WILL return.

Of the above four issues, numbers 1 - 3 are the most common mistakes people
make when trying to remove items from their system.

Alan

 

[Guest]

How do I do Step 1, the Administrator Account. Where is it? How do I access
it to be sure it's set correctly? Secondly, do I do Step 4 BEFORE the scan?
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Go to Start > Control Panel > User Accounts to see what acounts are
adminsitrator accounts. To find the one that actually installed it can be a
bit risky if you don't know what your doing, so I'd suggest looking at the
administrator accounts, and try to remember which one installed the app.

I'd suggest doing step 4 at any time.

Alan

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Alan. The Administrator Account says "Owner". Is it okay to leave
it like that, as I'm the only one using this computer? Or is there somewhere
else I'm supposed to look? Sorry to be so dense. Linda

 

[Guest]

If the admin account does in fact say "Owner," then that account is the one
you want to use to attempt to detect and remove infections.

Alan