Spyware???

[Guest]

I recently became infected with Spyware and/or Adware. Now I'm getting
pop-ups like crazy for anti-spyware programs. None of them are free! I
thought my current anti-virus software protected me from all of this! This is
REALLY irritating me!!! Does anyone have any suggestions? It's not that I'm
worried about any personal information being stolen since I do not have any
financial info on my computer...besides, anybody that steals my identity will
be very dissapointed. Someone, please help!

 

[Bullwinkle]

I've gotten a host of spyware and pop-ups even though I have them blocked.

There is a new virus that hit a short time ago and caused all this damage.

You need to run several anti-virus/anti-spyware programs. They will get you
clean.
Then you need to defrag and clean the registry. You need to reboot several
times to be sure everything is gone.

Slow and time consuming but it has to be done.

Be sure you have a good firewall.

Good luck

Regards,

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Bullwinkle! However, I am still a rookie Could you give me the
"for Dummies" version? I need step by step if you don't mind. I need
specific anti-virus/spyware programs and explanation of the registry. I know
how to defrag. Also, any ideas on about how this happened? My 10 yr. old
daughter has/HAD free reign so I'm assuming she's the culprit.
Toni

 

[Michael D. Alligood]

Taking the severity of your description and your level of knowledge, it
may be best that you have a professional take a look at your PC.
Two-thirds of my calls as a technician deal with spyware. Having 15
years experience and doing this day in and day out, it can take
professionals hours to remove all articles of spyware. In some cases,
the computer is simply too infected and needs to be formatted and
reloaded. As per your request, here is an article explaining what is
going on: http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Internet/2004/spyware.asp

As far as the registry goes, please do not attempt to modify it
yourself. The registry is a central hierarchical database used in
Microsoft Windows to store information necessary to configure the system
for one or more users, applications and hardware devices.

The Registry contains information that Windows continually references
during operation, such as profiles for each user, the applications
installed on the computer and the types of documents that each can
create, property sheet settings for folders and application icons, what
hardware exists on the system, and the ports that are being used. Again,
please do not edit the registry yourself.

Michael D. Alligood

 

[lvee]

I recently became infected with Spyware and/or Adware. Now I'm getting
pop-ups like crazy for anti-spyware programs. None of them are free! I
thought my current anti-virus software protected me from all of this! This
is
REALLY irritating me!!! Does anyone have any suggestions? It's not that
I'm
worried about any personal information being stolen since I do not have
any
financial info on my computer...besides, anybody that steals my identity
will
be very dissapointed. Someone, please help!

You didn't mention what programs you do use. What are some of the names for
the popup spyware you 're getting?
In the meantime, download, install, update and run
Ad-Aware SE, or SpyBot Search and Destroy. They are very similar programs,
but sometimes what one won't catch, the other will, so using both is okay.
You can have more than one Anti-virus program, but you can't have them set
to run in real time at the same time..you may get false positives, or false
negative results.

Then, CCleaner, and CWShredder..all can be found at Major Geeks,all have
free versions.
Run a disk cleanup, and post back if you are still getting popups.

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

Some basic steps to removing Spyware/Adware..



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



http://housecall.trendmicro.com/



... select the 'online scan' and follow the directions given.



This takes a while to complete but is a necessary first step.



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..



Adaware SE - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



... and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial48.html



SpyBot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/



... and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial43.html



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..



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



... and how to use it..
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html



NOTE.. FOR Windows XP users ONLY.. Ewido Suite - http://www.ewido.net/en/ ..



A trial version is available, and they also allow for an online scan



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



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



To use CWShredder, simply start the program, use 'check for update' to make
sure you have the latest version, then hit 'fix.' It will check your system
against a list of current CWS variants, and fix any infections it finds.



You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links
for you..



Zonealarm Firewall (free)..http://www.zonealarm.com .. recommended



AVG Anti-virus (free).. http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ ..
recommended



The weekly 'housekeeping' will not take long.. run Adaware, Spybot, and
SpywareBlaster weekly, ensuring that you update them prior to starting a
scan.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I recently became infected with Spyware and/or Adware. Now I'm getting
pop-ups like crazy for anti-spyware programs. None of them are free! I
thought my current anti-virus software protected me from all of this!

Why in the world would you think that an anti-viruis application would
have any affect upon you're downloading and installing adware and/or
spyware? Did the anti-virus application manufacturer make any such claim?

This is
REALLY irritating me!!! Does anyone have any suggestions? It's not that I'm
worried about any personal information being stolen since I do not have any
financial info on my computer...besides, anybody that steals my identity will
be very dissapointed. Someone, please help!

To deal with issues caused by any sort of "adware" and/or
"spyware," such as Gator, Comet Cursors, Smiley Central, Xupiter, Bonzai
Buddy, or KaZaA, and their remnants, that you've deliberately (but
without understanding the consequences) installed, two products that are
quite effective (at finding and removing this type of scumware) are
Ad-Aware from www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search & Destroy from
www.safer-networking.org/. Both have free versions. It's even possible
to use SpyBot Search & Destroy to "immunize" your system against most
future intrusions. I use both and generally perform manual scans every
week or so to clean out cookies, etc.

Additionally, manual removal instructions for the most common
varieties of scumware are available here:

PC Hell Spyware and Adware Removal Help
http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml

More information and assistance is available at these sites:

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

The Parasite Fight
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.

To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/



--

Bruce Chambers

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