How do I get rid of those little icons from the bottom of my pc?

Question

I have these icons on the bottom tool bar, next to clock, that keep telling me that the PC is infected with malware etc. I have run virus checker etc and I know there is nothing on my PC that shouldnt be and I realise that they are there to get me to buy the software associated with them. How do I get rid of them?

Answer 1

You have spyware on your pc, your anti virus wont deal with it because trojans (spyware) and viruses are different programs. Its like asking Word to open a music file.

You may need to switch off System Restore as back up files may 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 home 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 firewall.

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 these anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware. Use the Teatimer settings to protect Internet Explorer, and the Immuniser to stop malware getting on your pc.
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
Plus;
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware

And these are useful utilities;
http://www.mozilla.com/ - Firefox web browser.
http://www.ccleaner.com - Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
Winpatrol is a handy utility that manages cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -MacAffee Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
https://www.grc.com - Shields Up security site, check your firewall works.

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

Answer 2

Start > Run > msconfig

This is the system configuration utility. Disable the programs you dont want in the startup tab. You can configure a lot of stuff using msconfig.
Be careful, some programs will be essential, but you can pretty much make out which ones are junk.

Hope that helped.

Answer 3

It's worth getting an expert to check your computer out at:

http://www.webuser.co.uk/forums/ubbthreads.php/Cat/0

Register, go to the Hijack This Forum, read the instructions on how to post a log, give a brief description of your problem (like you've just typed) and post your log there. The guys in there are fantastic and trustworthy and will guide you through in getting rid of anything nasty from your computer.

You must post a HijackThis log as per the instructions, not just your problem.

These experts are brilliant and will get your computer back to running beautifully and spyware free!

Answer 4

It's not a virus, that's why your a/v doesn't find it. It's malware, as already suggested try Ad-Aware SE Personal and Spybot S&S, both free to download. Either or both should bowl this pest out.

Answer 5

Its spyware. you need to download antispyware protection, go to www.lavasoft.com and search for the adaware se free edition, run a scan with it and it will sort out your problem!

Answer 6

use msconfig and disable all startup programmes except your antivirus .....that should do the trick ?