how do i uninstall stuff that downloaded itself onto my computer without my permission?

Question

something called,bingo &slots,the weather chanel,and free animated downloaded thamselves on my computer.i was trying to get a free screensaver from freeze.com.

Answer 1

You have spyware.

Download anti-spyware programs from download.com. Click on "Security & Spyware" and look at their editor's choices.

You can get some good ones for free. Try Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. That's the one I used to get rid of a virus on my sister's computer.

Also, install Spybot Search & Destroy and set it up so that it constantly monitors your computer. The free version of Ad-Aware only check things when you scan, but SS&D protects full-time.

You might also want to look at what browser you use to look at the Internet. Do you use Internet Explorer? You could switch to Firefox (at getfirefox.com), but if you don't want to, then you can get the Google IE toolbar to help you stop these things from happening. Good luck.

Answer 2

Be advised a lot of stuff on the net is not free. Along with the screensaver, you got adware and spyware. Your first step would be to uninstall the screensaver, then if the programs are listed in Add or remove programs, do the same. These things probably run when you boot up, so boot up in the safe mode to uninstall them.
Some of those things are really hard to get rid of because they are run remotely. In other words, you uninstall the programs, but the next time you boot, there they are again. The reason is an .exe file put on your computer upon downloading is still there and makes all the programs new again when you reboot.
Win XP has the same feature on some of their programs. That is done so if you accidentally delete a file, it will regenerate a new one.
If the programs return after uninstalling, go to Microsoft.com and type in the program name and they maybe able to tell you how to get rid of it.

Answer 3

You can use a very good antispyware program that is free.

www.superantispyware.com They have frequent updates and will scan your memory, registry an all files. I have 140,000 files and superantispyware scans every object. If you have adware or malware it will be removed.

Or you can download the free; www.lavasoft.com Ad-Aware Se Personal an it will remove them even in the registry keys.

Try both as they will not conflict or cause you any harm.

Also click start, run & type, c://program files, click, browse, open program and look for any strange programs listed that you know for sure you did not download or want on your system.

If you find them and they will not delete, saying "files are in use", then reboot your pc. And usually the second time they will be deleted.

Plus it is always a good idea with an antivirus/antispyware when the programs find adware or a virus to reboot.

Good luck

Answer 4

Go into Contol Panel and click on Add or Remove Programs. These should show up. Simply select them and follow directions.

Then, click Start, Run and manually type regedit in the dialog box that comes up. Select MY COMPUTER by highlighting it. Then click Edit>Find and make sure all boxes are checked in the Dialog box that comes up. Type in the name of one of those progs and then click on Find in that dialog box. If something is found then delete it. Press F3 to continue the Search. Do this with all three progs that you do NOT want.

***NOTE: By editing your REGISTRY you are messing with the OS of your computer. If you delete the wrong thing you could very well need to re-install your OS .... Therefore BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!

Now, by downloading stuff like screensavers you ARE going to run into that problem again!!! In addition, you are opening your computer up to viruses, spy ware and a host of other problems.

I suggest you do NOT download ANYTHING unless you are at a trusted site such as http://www.download.com ... Just use the screen saver you have with your OS; it should have a setting to allow you to use your own pictures that you scan or download from your digital camera. If you think you MUST have a 3rd party screen saver then I suggest you use Web Shots.

And make DOUBLE sure you have anti-spyware programs on your computer as well as a good anti-virus with REAL time protection. I use Avast Anti-virus, Spybot Search & Destroy, Lavasoft's AdAware, Yahoo Anti-spy in it's toolbar, the pop-up blocker that came with XP SP2, Yahoo pop-up blocker and Google toolbar pop-up blocker. They are all FREE and the ones you can't find the sites to are in dl.com. I've used this combo for several years now, with great results!!! Be TRIPLE SURE you update the ones needing it on a DAILY basis as I do and run them DAILY!

Remember, good surfing habits protect you. Risky surfing/downloading habits only cause you problems...ranging from pesky progs such as you describe to nasty viruses and other mal ware all the way up to legal hassles.

Answer 5

it depends, if they are independent programs, you will find them listed in the add/remove programs list in control panel. But chances are they have come bundled with the screen saver from freeze. in that case will have to say bye to the screenie.

nb: computer works efficiently without a wall paper or a screen saver, whats the point in doing unwanted things and losing money?

Answer 6

Perhaps its memory used by applications? And if your computer only has 1gb of memory left you should think about upgrading your hard drive

Answer 7

here are a few free scans that may remove it.
Spybots search and Destroy http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html?tag=pao
adaware se> http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1
http://www.webroot.com/land/freescan.php
a-squared Free> http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_frame.asp
http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/
X -Cleaner Micro Edition scan http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.php
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Spywareguard too.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/

Answer 8

It's adware. Use adware and spyware programs, like Spybot and AdAware.

Answer 9

uninstall those little f**kers..click start>>control panel>>add/remove programs and click the programs you dont use or want push remove and BANG! removed :)

Answer 10

Just go to contol panel and computer programs and stuff and uninstall its easy.