Freeper Help Needed to remove adwareware from my PC

self, vanity ^ | 3/27/05 | Passionfruit

[MacDorcha]

Both are good... for being "free"

If you want it to NOT start randmly eating certain components of your comp (sometimes if you don't know what you're doing, you can get rid of windows applications.)

I recently went to Best Buy and purchased($30) Webroot SpySweeper.

No problems since.

It also gives you more info on what you're getting rid of before you get rid of it (so you can choose to NOT if you like)

Simple interface, and now my roomies can't even find my files using the network watchers they got. (The watcher operated off the fact that I HAD spyware on my comp.)

[PAR35]

Use either Firefox or Mozilla. You can control your cookies, accepting only the ones you want.

[Swordmaker]

Don't listen to the Adware or Spybot suggestions. The best product out there by far is Microsoft's Antispyware. This stuff ROCKS.

My recommendation is to use all three... Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, AND Microsoft Anti-Spyware. I have cleaned PCs that required all three to get everything. AND even then, on one, infected with Cool Web Search, I had to use a fourth program... CWShredder.

After downloading Spybot AND GETTING THE LATEST UPDATES... Boot into SAFE MODE and run Spybot in Safe Mode. Then run Ad-aware. Boot back into regular Windows and runs Microsoft Anti-spyware to finish... it's surprising how many pieces are left behind by the other two. But if you do it the other way, the other two will find pieces left behind by MS Anti-Spyware. You may have to run CWShredder if "Cool Web Search" keeps popping up. That one hides re-installers everywhere.

Its a good idea to run them twice... or even three times.

[Musket]

That's, ah, quite a page. That's bound to make a noob feel all warm and fuzzy. ;-)

Here's one by a fellow Freeper that's a little less intimidating.

Good luck passionfruit and keep after it. It never ends. And never let any kids use your machine.

[Swordmaker]

Isn't it great? I tried all that other crap - the adaware, lavasoft, spyhunter, etc. Microsoft caught all the stuff that the others left behind. I am 110% behind it. (of course there are Microsoft haters that will ever acknowledge it's a good thing)

Unfortunately, it goes both ways... MS AS also leaves some things as well. If you run it the other way around on a badly infected computer.

[Prost1]

"Microsoft - Mediocre Products by Design!"

[Prost1]

"That would be about as effective as King Canute commanding the waves to stop crashing on shore. Hackers in Russia and India and Vietnam will take no notice whatsoever of laws passed by our Congress."

All messages coming into or going out of the U.S. have to go through specific routers. Once the address of the the culprit is known, his messages can be blocked.

There is also the option of working with the foreign governments to get them to pass like laws.

It is not useless. It is necessary.

[ClintonBeGone]

It is really good, isn't it? Since you recommended it before, I haven't had one!

What's nice is you get a fully functional product - and updates - for free. Most of that other stuff you have to pay for the full version. I really like it because it took care of my brower hijack problem. I dont know if you've ever had one of those buggers, but it's horrible. You do a google search and it redirects you to ITS list of results - all links from the hijacker's sponsors.

[anymouse]

Our version of Norton Anti Virus came with the computer, and did not come with instructions.

Likely the Norton Anti Virus subscription has lapsed and you probably have not kept up with the updates and virus definitions either. I would suggest going out and buying a current version of NAV and first running NAV from the CD to check to see if it finds any virii. After you install NAV you will need to do the live update downloads at least 3 times to make sure you have the very latest version and virus definitions.

Also download, update and run Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware and Anti-Spy (comes with Yahoo Tool Bar.)

You will also need to check your Windows Registry to see if it needs repairing. I recommend Registry Mechanic. If you get Semantec SystemWorks you get NAV along with Norton Utilities One Button Checkup, it will check and fix Registry problems also.

[Howlin]

I had one of those on the downstairs computer and, man, are you ever right. It was that about:blank thing, I think.

The thing I love about the MS one is that it does its job without bothering me and it isn't so invasive.

I'll be eternally grateful!

[CurlyDave]

It's been about three weeks now and I haven't been able to use the computer for it's intended purpose for fear I would infect the companys web site.

Devote an evening to this.

Get out the restore disk that came with the computer, use it to wipe your hard drive and start over.

Install any of the antivirus programs, and only then connect it (through a firewall--a router will do, to the internet and apply all of the M$ updates.

Then, reinstall any unique programs and update them.

Only allow your son to use a Mac from here on out. If he wants to play games or visit "cool" websites, he should do it from his own computer.

I primarily use a Mac, but have a PC for just the reason you mention. The only sites I go to are my company's web sites & network, online stockbrokers, Investor's Business Daily, and Value Line. I run Norton SystemWorks.

Everything else, including all email is done from my Mac. No virus in 18 months.

[Quix]

It didn't clean all mine.

I have spysweeper, Norton, AVG, Microslop's new beta spy thing . . . I think I uninstalled adaware--kept missing too many things.

Even with all the above, I don't think I get everything and my system is bogged down during searches something fierce. But I'm torn about what to uninstall.

Norton is infuriating. But I like some of their utilities functions etc. etc. Would still like to have an alternative to the NORTON functions I like.

[Drammach]

Firstly, I would suggest the following...

Get a 3rd party browser.. I use Firefox, and Thunderbird for mail.. ( get the "launchy" extension to open links.. )
From what I understand, Opera is quite good as well..
Or, the Mozilla suite, which includes email..

Now for spyware, virus, etc..
I use the following:
Spybot
Ad-Aware (SE)
AVG anti-virus (boot-up)
Outlook firewall (Agnitum) (boot-up)
Spyware Blaster (activate when online, or boot-up )
Spyware Guard (boot-up)
WinPatrol (boot-up)

For "special" situations, I have the following on hand..
CW Shredder.. ( Cool-Web Adware/spyware has so many variations they are an entity unto themselves.. )
HiJack This ( For checking / cleaning the registry.. )
Diamond CS Wormguard
Winner Tweak registry cleaner..

And, the Microsoft AntiSpyware...

I run Ad-Aware SE after every online session..
I run Spybot at least twice a week..
Any warnings are noted (written down) and checked, both in the file/folder location, and in the registry..

Hope this helps..
Someone suggested MajorGeeks.com..
It's an excellent site, and contains all the above mentioned programs (or links to them) as well as update files for them..
I recommend the site highly, for staying abreast of the "enemy's" activities..

Good luck..

[Lori675]

Along with Adaware, Spybot and Norton.
I definitely recommend getting a registry cleaner. Type in registry cleaner in google to find them. There are alot of free trial versions.
Another good program is called Cleanup.
It gets rid of temporary files and cookies which slow up your computer. This is a free program. Its great.
http://cleanup.stevengould.org/

[stlnative]

Yes... Microsoft's will find things that other have not.

[Drammach]

There's also a program called EasyClean..
Contains functions for cleaning "everything"...

[Uncle Meat]

The absolutely best spyware remover is Spy Sweeper from Webroot

That's what I use.Picked up a copy at Walmart for 30 bucks.Like it better than Spybot.

[backhoe]

 

Things you need--(all FREE)
Anti-Virus
AVG Anti-Virus version 7 (free) release available...

 Avast
Firewall
Kerio(Direct Download) Zone Alarm

 If are using zone alarm it may slow your PC. Try Outpost Firewall http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost or Sygate Firewall http://www.sygate.com/ both have FREE and Pro versions and are heads above ZA.
Misc.
IE Spyads SpywareBlaster Spyware Guard
Windows Update- you must keep updated, it is the start of a secure system-
get all CRITICAL Updates

Things you want(Still Free)
 

  I use Firefox. Click the link and give it a try.

 

 

Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D

SpywareBlaster
MS MVP Hosts file

Mike Lin's Homepage and get the Startup Control Panel and Startup Monitor tools.

 

The best forum for malware removal:

-SWI Forums-

 

 
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1315720/posts

 Microsoft Releases Anti-Spyware Beta 1 To Public Today.
Microsoft.com ^

 

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Browser Wars, take two various FR links | 12-22-04 | The Heavy Equipment Guy http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1306815/posts ...and let your compiler of links drop out of Lurk & Link mode for comment and advice: Ditch IE. Honest to God, almost anything else will give you fewer problems. Try and compare- use IE, then run Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy... then try another browser and repeat. You will be stunned at the garbage IE attracts. Keep your OS updated & patched. Run a hardware firewall-- with today's LAN's, it's easy. You need a hardware firewall. Use a software firewall, too-- if you don't, you'll never know how many times your PC is trying to "phone home" and send your info across the web.

[ClintonBeGone]

I had one of those on the downstairs computer and, man, are you ever right. It was that about:blank thing, I think.

Grrrrrrr. LOL I know exactly what you mean. That about:blank used to drive me crazy!

[TheLion]

Thanks for those links. I have a problem with about:blank. The anti-sypware from microsoft has about got it. It still tries to use se.dll, which you can't find if you look for it. It comes somewhere out of documents\owner\local~1

Also tries to use mnel.dll from windows\system32. The anti-spyware blocks it but you need to go though this process all the time.

Any ideas?

I'll be reading forums until I figure it out.