My computer has some spyware/adware infection and i have no idea what to do?

Answer 1

The best anti-spyware protection that you can get for free, that I know of, is Lavasoft's AdAware. You can find AdAware at "lavasoft.com". To find the free version, click on one of the items listed under "mirror sites" (currently in the lower right, you may have to scroll down). That should take you directly to a page where you can download it.

Of course, ideally to avoid spyware you would avoid potentially hazardous sites (such as pornography). If you continue to expose yourself and the computer to such things, it won't be long before you need expert advice. Damage can be effectively permanent, or costly (to the extent that a virus might make you have to buy a new computer).

I had a spyware problem about a year ago that destroyed my computer. Okay, maybe it was a virus, but the truth is the two go hand in hand. Viruses may be less frequent with a minimum of protection, but so long as you take risks, you're bound to encounter problems.

One way to test if you're going to safe sites is by setting your security settings at "medium" or "high". In Internet Explorer you can find your security settings by clicking on "Tools" then "Internet Options" then the "Security" tab. Then you can slide the bar upward to reduce the amount of automatic downloading ("cookies", corrupted files, etc.).

I'm currently using my brother's old computer, but not everyone has a second option. If a computer is central to your life, hopefully you will have funds available to replace it whenever it becomes necessary. Otherwise you may be stuck trying to delay the inevitable--a computer that a software engineer couldn't resucitate for a million bucks.

Good luck.

And I might add that there are some anti-spyware programs that have been found to have loopholes which enable problems to develop. So far as I know AdAware is not one of them.

Answer 2

Here are links to free antispyware products you can trust
Spybot
- http://www.filehippo.com/download_spybot...
Adaware SE
- http://www.filehippo.com/download_ad-awa...
Windows Defender
- http://www.filehippo.com/download_micros...
Spywareblaster
- http://www.filehippo.com/download_spywar...
Ewido Antispyware
- http://www.filehippo.com/download_ewido/...
Spycatcher Express
- http://www.tenebril.com/consumer/spyware...
Superantispyware
- http://www.superantispyware.com/

Both Spybot and Windows Defender will actively protect your system and can be used together; Spywareblaster sits in the background protecting you from bad sites - just enable protection for internet explorer/firefox and update it regularly.
Ewido provides active protection free for trial period only.

You can further protect yourself with McAfee Site Advisor which is free; it will give advice if the site you're visiting contains any nasties. Really worth installing.
- http://www.siteadvisor.com/download/ie.html

Answer 3

Try downloading a program called ad-aware it should find and delete your spyware. if you go to this web site, you can get it free of charge.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Answer 4

download an run Spybot. Google it and you'll find it.

Delete index.dat files

Start computer in safe mode with command prompt.

Type in CD\

then type del index.dat /s

problem gone.