Spyware problem...

[MasterDias]

Alright, here's the deal.
I have a very annoying problem with some spyware that I can't seem to delete...

The IE browser keeps getting hijacked whenever I restart the computer, plus pretty soon after, it adds some... unwanted links to the favorites menu.

I've run Spybot and managed to delete some stuff. Unfortunately, every time I run a scan with Spybot it lists the same few Spyware problems that it claimed it deleted/fixed in the previous scans.

Does anyone have any solutions?

[skynes]

If you use Kazaa, get rid of it. Kazaa is infected with Gator spyware.

Get Ares instead, does the same thing, but installing spyware is optional and won't be forced upon you.

Spyware gets onto your PC when you access certain sites.
Take a look at some of the sites accessed on your PC. There are some in partidular such a Newgrounds, EBAY etc that are riddled with spyware.

Some sites ask your permission before downloading, however others are not so courteous and download without telling you so watch out for that.

[MasterDias]

I don't use Kazaa so that is not an issue.

The current problem is not avoiding Spyware. The current problem is how to get rid of what's on the computer.

Spybot isn't apparantly working, or at least a general scan with it isn't. The same Spyware that it deleted on previous scans keeps coming up.

[skynes]

There is another one called Adaware or something thats supposed to be better but I don't know where to get it.

[uc pseudonym]

Well, if you want to go the hard route, you can always use regedit. Look for it in the computer's Find function, then find the folder with the file name of the programs that continually come back. That will get rid of them. Just be careful when doing anything within regedit.

[ssj2gohan61]

programs i use are spybot s&d ad-aware 6.0 hijackthis--(be sure you know what your deleting and make backup) and Xoftspy use all those lol i say best advice to do is download hijackthis http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip then run that and save your log file.. then copy it and make a post here http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showforum=18 saying you need help getting rid of spyware browswer hijacking etc.. copy and paste your logfile into your post and they will help you eventually they helped me alot in the past and best thing about it is you dont have to register

[madphilb]

Also, look for a URL file in your "Startup" folder (Start -> Porgrams -> Startup) and make sure it isn't there re-loading the URL on startup (this was happening to my sister).

I'd also highly recomment you 1) make sure you have all the updates from Microsoft for all the security patches and 2) get rid of IE and get a copy of one of the Mozilla browsers (Firefox is my personal recommendation, not only does it block popups, and in a smarter way than some other pop-up blockers, but you can install the Adblock plugin and kill off some of the banner ads and whatnot as well).

Also there is a "Shredder" program that you can usually find sitting alongside where you'll find HiJack this that will kill off some of the harder to remove adware/spyware /viruses junk.

[Spencer]

I think Ad-Aware 6 is your best bet software-wise. I think if you just google lavasoft ad aware that'll give you a link to download it.

[MasterDias]

I've had AdAware for awhile. Between that and Spybot, most of the Spyware is usually history but there were a few that were giving me a hard time. I did download the CWShredder program and I believe that it took care of the Spyware that was causing me problems.

The only Spyware left is something that's called a "Common Hijacker" by Spybot, but it isn't apparantly messing with this computer presently. I do probably need to do some Windows updates.

As for Mozilla, I have Firebird installed and I generally like it. I use it whenever I visit a site that I know has automatic popups. I haven't really gotton used to it however as I've been using IE for so long...

So, yeah, I think that the problem is pretty much fixed now...

[ssj2gohan61]

thats good to hear

[redkorn]

i have that ad-aware it help but the next day i still have like 100 some spyware stuff in my pc, all the pop-ups X.X most of them are those "hate pop ups well buy this"

[uc pseudonym]

i have that ad-aware it help but the next day i still have like 100 some spyware stuff in my pc, all the pop-ups X.X most of them are those "hate pop ups well buy this"

While I feel for your problem, I must say that the irony is very nice. There is a certain message that says "Warning: Your computer has security leaks. These leaks allow outside computers to access your basic files and create system errors. These errors could be used to spam your computer or create pop up messages... like this one."

As far as I can tell it doesn't actually do any harm.

[madphilb]

As for Mozilla, I have Firebird installed and I generally like it. I use it whenever I visit a site that I know has automatic popups. I haven't really gotton used to it however as I've been using IE for so long...

2 words.....

Cold Turkey


Just give it up... you'll be happier for it later. I had been using Opera and wasn't sure I'd like Firebird when I loaded it, but I got used to it quick enough.

Be aware that even ifyou switch to FireFox, you'll still have to keep a close eye on your windows system... esp. if you use Outlook for e-mail or Windows Media Player for playing, well, anything.

Semi-perfect M$ Windoze system:

FireFox - browser
Pegasus - e-mail
XNews - Newsgroup browser
WinAMP - Audio player
Sun Java VM - Java VM
all WinUpdates installed
ActiveX disabled (with the possible exception of use for WinUpdate)

[Sephiroth]

One more thing if your still having trouble, use the search function, and if you find stuff you can't delete, or it keeps coming back, corrupt the files by saving them with a changed file extension, example: Spyware.exe, change to say Spyware.zzz
it will tell you it may screw up the file if you continue, say continue, then delete the file. (btw you need show file extensions option enabled)

[uc pseudonym]

Just a general tip for anyone doing it manually (the previous post reminded me of it). Use Ctrl+Alt+Delete to open Program Manager and write down all the running program that aren't supposed to be there (ie not Explorer, systray, poproxy, etc). This both helps you identify programs and lets you keep tabs on them... some like to dissappear when you try to mess with them.

[madphilb]

Also whats the point of disabling ActiveX if you're using Firefox?

Because there are other things that use ActiveX, starting the the OS itself if it's active... then there are programs like MSN Messenger and Windows Media Player (as well as any other program that uses the HTML renderer).

[susuki]

all I did to get rid of my spyware was try out norton anti-virus(it worked great by the way) then after the trial, buy it.(but thats just me)

[uc pseudonym]

Assuming you have no software to counter such things or something slips through, remember this tip (which I just had to use to help clean up my grandmother's computer): some files bury themselves in the normal C: drive, not Program Files. They can launch themselves from there in bulk unless they're deleted... but I wouldn't recommend deleting anything from said folders unless you know what's supposed to be there.

[Mithrandir]

Because there are other things that use ActiveX, starting [with] the the OS itself if it's active...(as well as any other program that uses the HTML renderer).

It should be noted that quite a few programs do this, btw. I believe Kazaa and a few other programs that some of you may use do this. And AOL's HTML redering engine is built on some of this code. Don't ever use that browser if you can avoid it.