things like Surfsidekick and Bookedspace are on there and I don't know what to do. I've run my Microsoft Antispyware (garbage) and something called Defence, but I didn't finish with that cause I thought it might cause more harm. Please help me somebody.
2006-07-20 12:21:55 · 26 answers · asked by ODYSSEY1517 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
download spybot
2006-07-20 12:23:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but 99.9999% of the time it's faster, less aggravating, and mor successful to simply copy your personal files to a CD and then format your harddrive and reinstall your operating system.
MS antispyware and other antispyware suites are gaining ground on the problem but as of yet no single application has a proven track record of being 100% effective against 100% of the spyware/adware on the net today.
There are techniques for hand-removal that can be employed (booting to safe mode, manually deleting files, stopping in-memory processes manually, manually searching and editing the registry, etc) however even with software that helps automate this process it's not unheard of for complete removal to take 4-6+ hours, and that's with a trained technician working on the problem (and sometimes even this doesn't get everything).
If you have the installating CD's for your software and operating system, and a way to save a copy of your files you don't want to lose I /highly/ suggest formatting the drive and reinstallying (if this is something you're comfortable with) or taking your computer to a repair shop and have them format the drive and reinstall the operating system and your software for you. Then all you have to do is copy your files back down to your computer and you're all set.
A quick word on prevention:
Even after you get your system cleaned up you're going to be just as susceptible to infection as you where to begin with unless you take some steps to protect yourself. Here's a list of a few things you can do to avoid adware in the future:
- Be exceedingly paranoid about which sites you download software from. A large portion of the websites that offer free software also offer free adware as value added.
- Consider installing Firefox and using it instead of Internet Explorer.
- Install anti-spyware software such as MS Antispyware /before/ your system is infected, it's generally substantially more successful at catching new stuff trying to install itself than it is removing stuff that's already installed.
In parting, sorry to hear about your Adware, and good luck getting your system cleaned up.
2006-07-20 12:37:37 · answer #2 · answered by knieveltech 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use all of the following Free software with Windows XP SP2 and Internet Explorer with MSN toolbar and the pop-up blocker turned on and have never had a single problem with my computer sense Microsoft came out with SP2. (knock on wood.) (And be sure to keep Windows and the following software Updated)
The best Anti-virus is: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. (www.grisoft.com)
The Best Spyware defense is: SpyBot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)<--English version
AND: AdAware SE (www.lavasoft.com)
AND Spyware Blaster (http://www.javacoolsoftware.info/kb/)
The best Firewall besides the one that comes with Windows is: Zone Alarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/co... or just (www.zonelabs.com) and select the FREE version.
These are all FREE and are all that are required. There is no reason to pay for this kind of software, except to give a donation to the writers if you can.
ALL the above programs are recommended and should be run on a regular basis. With some the free versions they must be run manually.
The best way to avoid getting any Malware (virus, Trojan's, spyware, etc) is to practice safe computing. Microsoft and many others have countless articles on the subject of safe computing. (something I think should be taught in schools)
for further information on computer safety. http://all.net/journal/50/cybercop.html
And here...
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/zombies_and_botnets.mspx
2006-07-21 01:53:22 · answer #3 · answered by space_man_stitch 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its virtually impossible to get rid of adware and trojans on your computer once its infested in the manner you are describing since the adware / spywares have probable corrupted your registry.
The best thing to do is take backup of your important files and reformat your hard disk, then reinstall the Operating system as per the restore CD that you might have received.
After restoring your computer back, then install Windows Defender, that will ensure that you are protected from future attacks. I did the same thing to my computer sometime back and I have no problems now.
2006-07-20 12:27:53 · answer #4 · answered by Camellias 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do a search 'spysweeper' find one of the sites that have it as a free download, its easy to install and has good features if you really like it you can pay to keep it updated, once loaded it should rip through just about all the ad and spy stuff, I have run it for a few years now and not really been troubled by any stuff attached to it, its worth a try and wont do any harm, if it does not suit you just uninstall it after its done its sweep, it might take around 20 to 40 minutes to do a complete sweep, I am not comfortable re installing all my system or rich enough to take it to a fix it shop. give it a go.
2006-07-20 12:31:14 · answer #5 · answered by hergestamarok 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adware and Trojans dont like to be removed.
They autoupdate, and play all sorts of tricks.
Sometimes its best to back up your personal files to another hard drive, or a data_cd, format the OS disk and start over.
Microsoft recommends doing that once per year.
2006-07-20 12:27:19 · answer #6 · answered by Curly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try stopzilla download it at www.download.com to try for free.
It will help with the spyware and adware get a copy of an antivirus program to get rid of the trojans I like avast! or avg but norton works as well get something as soon as possible before they really mess up your computer
2006-07-20 12:27:55 · answer #7 · answered by stophatinboo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spybot is good, and I also use Lavasoft which catches things that the useless Microsoft products purposely don't look for.
http://www.download.com/3405-8022-5153545.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5
When I used Microsoft Internet Explorer, then run Lavasoft, it comes back with all kinds of trojan horses and other crap. When I use FireFox web browser, I get none of that stuff.
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
Try it out.
2006-07-20 12:30:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
HaHa, it's me who hacked your computer and sending trojans and spyware. Here is the information I collected about you. You're running Internet Explorer and Micro$oft windows and lot more. But, I regret it and decided to give you a solution.
Go to http://safernetworking.org/ and download Spybot-S&D.
Go to http://www.getfirefox.com/ and get firefox.
2006-07-20 13:00:16 · answer #9 · answered by Napoleon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go here http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Get the FREE Adaware Personal edition.
Download, Update, Run full system scan
You might also get a better virus scanner
Avast has a free home version thats simple to use and works great.
http://www.avast.com/
2006-07-20 12:26:36 · answer #10 · answered by AnswerGuy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Download and run 2 programs: Adaware and Spybot.
If you have a problem running them, turn off your 'puter and restart in safe mode.
2006-07-20 12:25:58 · answer #11 · answered by profdave99 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋