what is malware and spyware, and why do sites for security keep coming up?

Question

my computer is running slowly and the internet keeps coming up not responding. i have norton security but i dont know how to stop ads for ringtones, security, gambling sites etc popping up, my pop up blocker is turned on though

Answer 1

If this problem is popup ads then do the procudure using ewido and AdAware. If they are hijacking your browser and taking you to websites, the sites at the bottom will remove the hijacker.

Download and Update Ewido (now called the AVG Antispyware). Do not run:

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Download AdAware SE and update. Do the setup. Do not run:

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ad-aware/

AdAware SE Setup:

1. Select "use custom scanning options" then select "customize". Make sure the following options are enabled: "scan within archives," "scan active processes," "scan registry," "deep scan registry," "scan my IE favorites for banned URLs," "scan my Hosts file."

2. Select the "tweak" option. Under "scanning engine," make sure "unload recognized processes and modules during scan" is enabled. Enable "scan registry for all users instead of current users."

3. Under "cleaning engine" turn on "always try to unload modules…," "during removal unload explorer and IE if necessary," "let windows remove files in use at next restart," and "delete quarantined items after restoring."

4. Use the "select drives and folders to scan" option to ensure that your entire hard drive is scanned (if you have more than one hard drive, scan all of them (of course, do not include floppy and CD/DVD).


TEMPORARILY SHOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Click Appearance and Themes, and then click Folder Options.

3. On the View tab, under Hidden files and folders, click "Show hidden files and folders", and clear(uncheck) the "Hide protected operating system files" check box.

IMPORTANT: Files are hidden by Windows for a very good reason. It is not wise to experiment with these files. Unfortunately, to successfully remove modern spyware we must turn this protection off temporarily. Please turn the protection back on when you have finished cleaning your system.


EMPTY INTERNET EXPLORER BROWSER CACHE:

1. On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.

2. On the General tab, in the Temporary Internet Files section, click the Delete Files button. Select the Delete all offline content check box in the confirmation dialogue box that appears, click OK. Click OK again.

RESTART IN SAFE MODE:

To do this you need to hold down or repeatedly tap the F8 key while the computer is booting (when the computer is displaying a black screen with white text). When the boot menu appears, use your keyboard arrows to select "Safe Mode."

Safe Mode can look quite ugly. The color may look bad, and all of your desktop icons will be very large. This is normal.



START THE SCAN WITH YOUR PROGRAM(S).



When the scan and removal are completed REBOOT COMPUTER. This will restart you in normal mode.

RESET HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS.

The RESTORE POINTS may be infected with the Malware and cannot be used. Delete the old one(s) and make a new one.

CLEAR OLD RESTORE POINT(S). HERE'S HOW:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. Click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click on the System Restore tab.

3. Select the Turn Off System Restore check box, click Apply, then restart your computer.

4. Return to the System Restore Tab and turn System Restore back on.


TO SET A NEW RESTORE POINT:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Point to Programs, then navigate to Accessories, then System Tools, then click System Restore.

3. Choose Create a restore point, and then click Next.

4. In the Restore point description box, type a name for your restore point, and then click Next.

5. Click OK.

NOTE: If you are using Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and are unable to access the Internet after removing Malware, there is a command that may fix the problem. It works by resetting the winsock catalogue. Click on Start, then Run and type CMD in the box. Click OK. Type "netsh winsock reset" (no quotes)into the DOS window that appears.


ADDITION INFORMATION ABOUT TROJANS:

There are Trojans that fall into the Smitfraud family. Smitfrauds are usually Homepage/Browser Hijackers. A Homepage Hijacker takes you to a website other than what you have set on your computer. A Browser Hijacker directs you to websites other than what you just selected. These require the use of a specialized program for removal. Here are two sites that specialize in removing these:

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php

Answer 2

First of all get rid of Norton, it is useless!! AVG Anti Virus is very good and despite someone saying don't download, it is very safe and efficient. You may also want to purchase Spy Sweeper it's about $40 but well worth it. You could also download Ad-Adware as well. You may also want to try the following - it works and will not remove anything from your pc - you should notice a 100% difference in the running of your pc - remember to try and run your virus programs frequently as well.

Click start, go to programs, accessories, system tools - choose system restore. Choose a restore point - a calendar will appear in the top left corner and you are able to change the month on this - I suggest you go back to January 1, 2007. Any bold entries on the calendar contain restore points so you can go back to that day after running system restore - once this has been run it will tell you if you have been successful or not.

Good luck and I hope this works as there is nothing more infuriating that this happening, and you should get a program on your pc that deals with spyware.

Answer 3

Personally I would recommend downloading AVG Anti-spyware remover free edition. It sounds to me like you have spyware that is slowing your computer. You can download the free edition here :
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5 (simply copy paste into your browser) The Anti-spyware link is towards the bottom of the page. Once you have installed the program and cleaned your computer it should start running faster. I'd also double check to make sure your pop up blocker is on and check to see what websites it is set to allow pop ups from.

Answer 4

Security ads that come up are more often than not ungenuine.
Download Superantispyware,
Download AVG 7.5 Free edition,
Download Zonealarm Free edition and
Download CCleaner

Norton is probably one of the reasons why your computer is running slow. Uninstall that and install AVG 7.5 Free edition and the above software.

After downloading these programs and using them I am sure that your computer will run faster. Let me know if it works!

Answer 5

Well my friend, sites that give you a free scan often report false positives - then try and flog you the 'killer' application that will rid your system of it..... Don't bother with them

Lots of people on here will advise you to use

http://www.spybot.info/
and
http://lavasoft.element5.com/software/adaware/

They are both free to you and cost little in system memory
these will rid you of malware (crap put on your PC without your permission) and Spyware( Put on your PC to see where you go and what you do..

Download them and use them every 3 days and you will see all manner of crap disappear from your screen and improve your experience.

Answer 6

Xoftspy is an excellent program for getting rid of spyware. See the link below.

Answer 7

malwear means malicious ware, spyware is software that can spy on you. ie if you search for car insurance on the internet, then you are bombarded for adverts for it. I suggest download spybot search and destroy, it's free, run a scan , and that should keep you safe.

Answer 8

get new anti virus eg live one care from windows