OT--Any help with spyware?

[El Duderino]

I'm hardly blessed with with much knowledge about computers, i pretty much just turn it on and use it to browse the net. I understand only very basic things about computers, but once i have problems, i usually have trouble fixing things myself.

A few weeks ago my daughter must have downloaded wrong because our computer got somewhat taken over by spyware. I had recently reinstalled Windows XP so i had no spyware protection. After all the popups came, i downloaded Adware and it found tons of threats which i had it remove. Well, that obviously didn't get rid of it all because a few popups remained. I ran my AVG anti-virus scan and that seemed to get the rest because the popups stopped. There were still a few folders in my program files that didn't belong and they wouldn't let me delete them, but at least the non-stop popup hell was over.

Then last night my kid was on the computer and i went on later after she went to bed. There were popups all over the place when i went on. So i run Adware and it found numerous pieces of spyware which i then deleted.

That did little because there were still tons of spyware left. So i downloaded spybot which also found tons of spyware, yet that seems to have helped little because mass popups have still taken over my computer.

Any idea what i could try next?

[midranger]

Throw your computer away and tell your "daughter" not to look at porn on the next one.

[Buck You]

I usually always do a system restore to the last point where the computer was normal when I accidentally download something I wasn't supposed to. Also, you might want to ask your daughter what she's doing on the computer.

[Nowak008]

I download spy bot and has worked pretty well for me.

[El Duderino]

I usually always do a system restore to the last point where the computer was normal when I accidentally download something I wasn't supposed to. Also, you might want to ask your daughter what she's doing on the computer.

It's in the frontroom, so when she's on it i'm generally close by. I've never had spyware problems though until she's been using the computer.

I heard that some of those ringtone, chat icon, limewire, and other sights like that can be full of spyware. Is that true?

I've told her to never click on anything that pops up, but i have no idea if she listens. Now i have one pop up after another about toolbars, chat stuff, anti-spyware protectors, or adds for various crap.

[Buck You]

-= original quote snipped =-



It's in the frontroom, so when she's on it i'm generally close by. I've never had spyware problems though until she's been using the computer.

I heard that some of those ringtone, chat icon, limewire, and other sights like that

Limewire usually doesn't harm computers, maybe your computer is one of the unlucky ones though. If it is limewire, just delete it and tell your daughter to put all her music onto a cd.
But anyway, maybe if it really gets bad enough you could re-install windows again, but I doubt you'll have to do that. Just do a system restore and I'm sure your problems will be gone.

[L&H_05]

Spyware ?? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm unfamiliar with PC viruses due to the fact I bought an Apple Macbook pro last year, and now use my PC to prop up a wobbly table I have..

Tried them both, and can say without a doubt (Apple > PC)

[MickeyDavis]

There is no one spyware program that will catch everything. Spybot and Adaware and two good free ones, download them and run them both. Webroot has a good one but it's not free.

[livestrong4ever]

Spyware ?? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm unfamiliar with PC viruses due to the fact I bought an Apple Macbook pro last year, and now use my PC to prop up a wobbly table I have..

Tried them both, and can say without a doubt (Apple > PC)

(picture)

Not a lot of spyware issues with vista either. Or i have ran into none. I still would never buy an apple just because of its format is all messed up.

[dedned]

Try running this
http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php

[jeremyd236]

Using a combination of McAfee/Norton and Adaware/Spybot should do the trick, although I'd generally recommend reformatting your computer to completely rid yourself of the dirty files.

You should reformat your computer quite often to avoid these things, I'd say at least once a year (which I know not many people do). Prevention of spyware really just comes with knowledge of computers. It's true that you could get spyware by your first download with Limewire, but it's also true that you can go years without ever getting any from the same program. You've got to be careful with what you download. Don't get anything suspicious and usually nothing you've never heard of. The popular stuff is usually the safe stuff.

And if you want to start up the PC vs Mac debate, there is no winner. You can't say Mac is better than PC because it isn't true. They're different types of systems and one is best for different types of people. I enjoy thorough gaming on my system and there's no chance in hell I'd get a Mac for that. For people looking strictly at work and productivity, then perhaps a Mac is the right way to go.

[Max Green]

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

I run that about once a month on my computer. It scans for the latest viruses and spyware, cleans up your registry and does defragmentation. Also it's free and made by Microsoft.

[cfo]

If you are using IE browser, you'd better disable activex.

need help contact me: kamendiv at gmail.com

[beyond_the_arc]

Spyware ?? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm unfamiliar with PC viruses due to the fact I bought an Apple Macbook pro last year, and now use my PC to prop up a wobbly table I have..

Tried them both, and can say without a doubt (Apple > PC)

(picture)

2 things, one Macs do suffer from viruses, and second, though rare because hackers don't want to waste their precious time writing code to attack less than 10% of all computer users, the spyware does exist.

El Dude, you need to use SpySweeper from Webroot to locate the registry keys and files that have been changed and added. Once you get the file names, boot up in safe mode and delete them. You probably have a trojan horse program that even though spyware removes it, the next time the computer connects to the internet the program automatically regenerates.

[Siefer]

You might be at a point where you need to cut your loses and completely restore the machine. Try to get anything you value off (burn it to DVD, or get an external drive) the machine, and completely reinstall Windows from scratch. That means, reformatting the hard drive, etc.

[El Duderino]

-= original quote snipped =-



Limewire usually doesn't harm computers, maybe your computer is one of the unlucky ones though. If it is limewire, just delete it and tell your daughter to put all her music onto a cd.
But anyway, maybe if it really gets bad enough you could re-install windows again, but I doubt you'll have to do that. Just do a system restore and I'm sure your problems will be gone.

I tried to do a system restore, but somehow all the spyware must be able to prevent me from doing one because after trying numerous restore dates, it keeps coming up saying that it wasn't able to restore to the chosen date, try again.

My moms husband said to try Spyware Doctor. I downloaded it and ran it a few times, it kept finding Trojan viruses along with other bugs that i have no clue what they are, but all were labeled medium or high risk. So i'd click the fix the threats button, as the line would move showing the bugs being deleted, the computer would keep shutting itself down before the deleting process could finish. Right now the Spyware Doctor software is active and seems to be blocking the popups, but every two seconds or so a new "Malicious Action Blocked" message keeps coming up with the threat being TROJAN-DROPPER.SMALL!SD5 and risk level at high.

You should reformat your computer quite often to avoid these things, I'd say at least once a year (which I know not many people do). Prevention of spyware really just comes with knowledge of computers.

I've never once reformatted my computer and wouldn't have the slightest idea how to do it either unfortunately.

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

I run that about once a month on my computer. It scans for the latest viruses and spyware, cleans up your registry and does defragmentation. Also it's free and made by Microsoft.

If i downloaded this, do i need to shut off and or remove this Spyware Doctor because they might conflict with each other? I ask because i had Spybot on here and after downloading Spyware Doctor, my computer would completely lock up until i shut down spybot. Plus, unless i have this Spyware Doctor program running, so many popups bust out that i really can't do much of anything.


BTW, big thanks to everyone who took the time to respond, it's very appreciated. It sucks being so computer stupid, but they just don't interest me much outside of going online.

[Whiteman]

http://www.hitmanpro.nl/hitmanpro/index.php?lang=en

This is a scrip tthat runs Adaware, Spysweeper and a few others automatically. Just download, install & run.
I run it now and then and use Firefox as a browser, hardly ever have pop-ups or problems.

[dunhill]

I usually always do a system restore to the last point where the computer was normal when I accidentally download something I wasn't supposed to. Also, you might want to ask your daughter what she's doing on the computer.

This doesn't actually get rid of it. All it does is uninstall it temporarily. Scarily enough most trojans/keyloggers will reinstall themselves or remain dormant until you run a process again. You must remove it and all associated files. Adaware and Spybot with up to date definitions will be your best bet. All AV, spyware scans should be run in Safe Mode (as your system is booting up hit f5) as this ensures nothing is hiding behind system processes. Failing this, you need a program called HijackThis! This is a rather complicated tool but it is useful for identification purposes. HOWEVER, there is some real nasty stuff out there and depending on which a clean reinstall may be necessary.

And if your daughter is sharing your PC it is the best idea to setup a separate account for her with limited authorisation - no downloads and no installation. So even if she clicks on something nasty it won't allow her to install it as she isn't authorised.

Personally I run Avast!, Spybot, Adaware, and both a hardware and software firewall.

I also recommend switching to Firefox and downloading a free addon for that browser called ADBLOCK PLUS. This will stop a lot of the popup problems.

As for PC vs MAC well PC's don't use proprietary hardware, I have a wealth of choice. I don't just live with it or buy a new Mac. I walk down to the shop buy the parts I need and I'm done. I can build a PC as powerful as a Mac for 1/2 the price.

[jeremyd236]

Reformatting your harddrive is simple. Just put your original Windows CD in and click Reformat or Reinstall Windows or whatever it's labeled as. Before doing this, you'll want to store the files you wish to keep on another harddrive, a dvd, flash drive, or something like that. Remember to be selective and only keep the most important files, because you do have spyware.

[beyond_the_arc]

-= original quote snipped =-



This doesn't actually get rid of it. All it does is uninstall it temporarily. Scarily enough most trojans/keyloggers will reinstall themselves or remain dormant until you run a process again. You must remove it and all associated files. Adaware and Spybot with up to date definitions will be your best bet. All AV, spyware scans should be run in Safe Mode (as your system is booting up hit f5) as this ensures nothing is hiding behind system processes. Failing this, you need a program called HijackThis! This is a rather complicated tool but it is useful for identification purposes. HOWEVER, there is some real nasty stuff out there and depending on which a clean reinstall may be necessary.

And if your daughter is sharing your PC it is the best idea to setup a separate account for her with limited authorisation - no downloads and no installation. So even if she clicks on something nasty it won't allow her to install it as she isn't authorised.

Personally I run Avast!, Spybot, Adaware, and both a hardware and software firewall.

I also recommend switching to Firefox and downloading a free addon for that browser called ADBLOCK PLUS. This will stop a lot of the popup problems.

As for PC vs MAC well PC's don't use proprietary hardware, I have a wealth of choice. I don't just live with it or buy a new Mac. I walk down to the shop buy the parts I need and I'm done. I can build a PC as powerful as a Mac for 1/2 the price.

I will attest to all of these programs as they are the exact same ones I have used in the past to clean up computers. As I don't let anyone else use my laptop, I've never had anything on this computer.