HELP! How do I get rid of Spyware Guard 2008 virus?

Self | December 2008 | PJ-Comix

[PJ-Comix]

My computer has been infected with the Spyware Guard 2008 virus and now I can't get rid of it. Does anybody out there know of some way that I can get rid of this virus? Apparently a lot of people seem to be having problems with the same virus. I let someone else use my computer yesterday so perhaps that is when it got infected.

[ShadowAce]

Does anyone get these viruses on their MAC?

I sincerely doubt it. But Swordmaker is the Apple guy here on FR.

I prefer Linux. :)

[PJ-Comix]

Okay. I'm running the SuperAntiSpyware program now and it has already detected two Trojan.Dropper items. Hopefully when the scan is complete, it will also be able to delete those viruses.

BTW, I am using Firefox, not IE.

[PJ-Comix]

Dumb question perhaps, but how do you know you are injected with this virus? (for those of us perhaps unknowingly infected).

Don't "worry." If you are infected by SpyGuard 2008, you'll know it. However, for ease of mind just download the free SuperAntiSpyWare program like me and run it. The virus was detected but my big concern right now is if it can be deleted.

[PJ-Comix]

How long does the SuperAntiSpyware scan take? I have to split out in an hour. Also can I hit “next” in the middle of a scan and take care of the viruses already detected? The number of such viruses is now up to 4.

[TomGuy]

How long does the SuperAntiSpyware scan take?

Depends on the size of your hard drive.

If you need to leave it, I would suggest turning off your monitor, but letting the pc/scan run to completion. Then you can finish the selections later.

[PJ-Comix]

So I can let my ‘puter sit until I come back this evening?

[stylin19a]

I had this nasty piece of work and every tech board I saw pointed to “SpyNoMore”. Worked great.

[TomGuy]

So I can let my ‘puter sit until I come back this evening?

You should be able to. I have mine on all day. Sometimes, if I am downloading large files, I will even let it run all night. I do turn off the monitor, however.

Otherwise, shut it down and restart the scan this evening when you have more time to 'babysit' it.

Those scans can take a couple of hours, depending on your hard drive size.

[Tainan]

"cockpit trouble"....yeah, right.

Not referring to 'Windows' progs...I was pretty specific about Linux.
I installed the uBuntu to a partition I created on my C. It was a very troublesome install and went completely flaky from there on.
I spent quite a bit of time learning, as best I could, about Linux before trying it. It was a disaster. Maybe it was my fault - maybe my learning curve just wasn't sufficient to use the prog. I had decided upon either MINT or uBuntu. On the advice of another Freeper I chose uBuntu.
Those were my results.
I'm not a 'fanboy' of any computer rlated item. To me they are just tools. Either they work for me and I use them or they don't.
based on the hype I've read, I expected my 'Linux experience' to be abundantly more rewarding than it was.

[PJ-Comix]

Yeah, I’ll let it run today with the monitor off and then check back tonight. I really need to get rid of that virus. So far SuperAntiSpyWare has detected a bunch of those viruses and hopefully can remove them.

[GOPJ]

Make a list.

If a company is making money infecting computers, NEVER BUY FROM THEM again.

Profit's the motive? Take it away.

[OSTATE]

StopZilla is the best one I’ve found and the price is reasonable as well.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Great link. Thanks.

[CodeToad]

Sounds like good advice given so far. One thing to add,

Get FireFox!

IE will download and install just about anything and everything. As much as Microsoft has done to secure IE they STILL allow the stupid thing to download and install software. They actually have to go out of their way to make that "feature" happen. They could stop all this crap if they would just remove that capability.

[Travis McGee]

Do you recommend I download the free Firefox3 at that link? Any downside?

[Señor Zorro]

I second Malwarebytes. I have used it personally and professionally and it has always done a wonderful job.

[js1138]

I can’t help with this particular situation, but I can tell people who have not yet been infected with malware how to add a free and effective layer of protection.

Windows XP has something called System Restore. It’s supposed to take you back to a state prior to when your computer got screwed up — for any reason.

The problem with System Restore is that malware typically disables it and deletes your restore points.

But there is a manual form of System Restore that can defeat any virus. Simply use the windows Backup to make a backup file of System State. It’s a check box on the backup screen.

If you have XP Pro you have the backup program already installed. If you have XP Home, you have the backup installation file on your CD. If you don’t have a Windows CD, you can borrow one or get a copy from someone.

Restoring System State restores all executable programs and the registry. It doesn’t affect data or documents.

[CodeToad]

No downside. If you ever need IE for any reason it is still on your system. There are no annoying ads, no fees, no spyware, etc. I use it in a secured professional environment every day. In fact, Firefox is fast to download, install, and run. It does automatic updates but asks first. Those updates are usually only seconds to download and install.

[PJ-Comix]

What’s the Malwarebytes link? I might have to use it since the SuperAntiVirus didn’t remove the SpyWare Guard 2008. I’m running that program again to see if it will work next time.

[Travis McGee]

Thanks, I’ll do it!