Real time spyware and advice....?

Question

Have just run my anti spyware programme which found 10 high level programmes including Trojan. What exactly does this mean and how can I prevent it happening again? Would real time spyware help (I just have the standard BT one - Norton I think) and if so can you recommend one?
Thanks

Answer 1

If you are running an anti spyware you really shouldn't have any spyware on your pc! You need a seperate anti spyare and anti virus.
Ewido/AVG is really good, it has real time protection for the first 30 days. After that you can either pay, or accept that it will only work when you scan.
If you have a trojan your anti spyware isn't working. Uninstall it and switch. And use Firefox instead of internet explorer, its safer.

Before attempting to remove malware you must switch off System Restore as back up files will be hiding in there, and it will just restore itself. Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore.
Run your anti virus and anti spyware in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode repeatedly press the F8 key after the bios screen loads but before Windows loads. You'll know if you made it because the screen will be at 800 x 600 and your pc will be slow.

Then beef up your security. Its easier to prevent malware getting on to your sytem in the first place rather than trying to remove it. All the following programs are free for personal use;

You need to install one firewall.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall OR
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo security suite.

You need to install one anti virus;
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ -AVG anti virus or
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

You need all three anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware

And these are useful utilities;
Shields Up security site;
https://www.grc.com - check your firewall works

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser and Thunderbird e-mail program.
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -MacAffee Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.
http://www.sys-shield.com - AbsoluteShield File Shredder
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Lavasoft-ARIES-Rootkit-Remover.shtml - Aries Rootkit remover.
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Main/view/Download-Free-Products.html - Bitdefender doesn't run in the background and can be used as a second back up anti virus.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 2

I suggest that you try to carryout system restore to a day previous to the day when there was no virus or any problems. It may be a few weeks or months back. You have to decide the date. Detailed instructions are posted at http://fixit.in/systemrestore.html
The problem is likely to be solved. Then,You insatll a standard antivirus soft ware such as Norton, AVG , Avast ( free antivirus software and Ad-aware, Ewido ( free spyware removers). You can download free softwares at
http://fixit.in/antivirus.html and http://fixit.in/spywareremover.html

Answer 3

You are a very wise person to try and avoid malware before it starts. Too many are content to get infected with this crap and then try to clean-up the mess afterwards. Add these to your current protections:

SpywareBlaster does 3 things all without using
resources to protect your computer from viruses and spyware.

1.Adds a list of tracking cookies to IEs OR FF Blocked List.

2. Adds a few thousand "bad" websites to IE's Restricted Zone to limit their use of Active X, Java, Scripting etc. (BTW, for maximum protection, everything in IEs Restricted Zone should be set to "Disable".

3. Set 'kill-bits" in the registry to prevent a bunch of "bad" Active X controls from running.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
..........................................
Also check-out SiteAdvisor which will warn you BEFORE you browse to less-desirable websites.

http://www.siteadvisor.com/
.....................................

But , perhaps the best preventive is to always keep your Windows fully patched with all critical updates from Windows Update. This is a must! Microsoft issues regular update the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Get 'em!

And all here are 100% free.

Good luck.

Answer 4

If you have trojans and such infested on your computer, 10 of them, it'd be a really good idea to reformat and just start over. If not, download Kaspersky and Ad-Aware [or AVG free]. If you use Kaspersky and or AVG, turn on real time protection, so it will prevent Trojans from getting to you and run Ad-Aware once every day or two to remove spyware from your computer when it starts to keep your computer clean and fresh.

Answer 5

If you paid some company to fix it and they removed the anti virus, doesn't sound like a good company to go back to. If you keep getting infected, sounds like either there is a downloader or backdoor virus that the scans are missing. Or it could simply be your browser habits. If you download alot of stuff using P2P networks like Limewire, Kazza, Torrents etc... Then there is a very high chance that is where most of your viruses are comming from. Also alot of 'questionable content' internet sites are riddled with viruses.

Answer 6

NOTHING totally removes Spyware and Adware. My husband used SpySweeper, AdAware, SpyBot, and Norton, and his computer was still infected.

So far, the only thing that prevents spyware is 1.) TrendMicro PCCillin, and 2.) Common sense.

Erase your cookies, clear your cache, and delete your history every day.

Answer 7

I dont think AVG would be compatble with Norton. You could always uninstall Norton.
All of these are ones that I personally use and all are free.

AVG Removes I-Worm/Stration · BackDoor.Generic3.GBB and .GBC · Worm/Generic.FX · Exploit.WMF
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5

Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.
http://www.safer-networking.org/

http://superantispyware.com/
SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!
Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!
Make sure after you download any of these, that you update them.

*Be sure to come back to Yahoo Q&A and vote for one of the answers as best answer!

Answer 8

is it up to date ur norton security? if nt update it myn stopt a trojan 2 days ago... iv gt avg and a-squared with it working ok up 2 now

Answer 9

Your AV should have picked up the trojan. Your AV hasn't expired, has it?
I run Spy-Bot Search and Destroy. It guards constantly.

Answer 10

Lose norton
get avg free
get adaware free

no more problems