Computer help needed!!?

Question

I have this random System Alert icon which flashes in my toolbar (bottom right) and pops up with messages about how my computer is infected with lots of spyware... I've tried lots of programs to get rid of the spyware and I honestly think it's sorted out but the icon keeps on flashing.... How do I get rid of it or is there a reall good spyware program that I can download to get rid of stuff that hasn't been detected by my other programs?

Answer 1

if you never gave permission for this to be on your toolbar then its a pretty good bet thats its spyware
there are lots of rogue spyware programs that fool you into beleiving you have spyware then when you install their product they hold you to ransom and the only way to remove the program is to purchase the full product or pay the spftware company for a uninstaller
these programs are of course malicous,and are in reality illegal,but unless you become more aware of these rogue programs then they will still prey on you and try to fool you into thinking you have spyware
first job you need to do is remove the toolbar,they are a common way that spyware is installed on your p.c and are not much use anyway,except maybe the pop up blocker,but service pack 2 has one of these anyway,you normally click the pencil icon and there should be a uninstall option there
then look in control panel>add remove programs and check to see if there are any entries for system alert there,or anything that you dont recognize or installed,and if there is remove it
then you need to download spybot(http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html)and install this program,update it and imunize it before you run it,then scan for problems,once this is done ,you should "fix problems"if found,this will remove any spyware thats found,some may require a reboot,if so make sure you reboot the p.c
you also should go to http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/,and download spyware doctor,this is a excellent spyware removal tool that will remove any stubborn spyware that spybot may ahve missed.this progarm is a trial so you will need to register and you will receive a e-mail with a activation code to run the program,its all pretty basic
these two programs should remove this spyware as they are about the best two anti-spyware programs avalible
finally try to avoid installing toolbars (except yahoo toolbar)as they sometimes carry spyware in the program
spybot is used by millions of users worldwide,as is spyware doctor,these have a excellent clear up rate so they should remove this problem,also for a extra layer of defence download lavasofts adaware(http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)this dosent protect your p.c but has a brilliant scanner for removal of spyware and adware
microsoft have a good spyware tool called "windows defender"(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&DisplayLang=en),this is actally part of windows vista but is free to download and install for all genuine windows xp users
allthough critisised windows defender is a very good spyware protection utility,it sits in the background and scans silently,and if spyware or malware is found it informs you and recommendations are given,you should delete anything found,also you may find that your internet connection will be affected if defender finds spyware,this acn only be a good thing
spyware is a ever increasing problem,probally more so than viruses,so protection is very important,but as there are new spyware coming out every day you need to keep the progarms i have recommended up to date,otherwise you are open to attack from the newer spyware as they wont be in the defenition databases in the programs
you would also be advised to run your anti-virus scanner aswell as if your p.c has been infected by spyware then its a pretty good chance that there may be some low scale virus infection
if the problem is too far gone and your p.c has been overidden by viruses and spyware you may find it better to re-install your windows xp os
you can do this with your system recovery disk that came with your p.c or by using a full windows xp disk which you need to buy,or it may be time to upgrade to the much more secure and safer "vista"
i hope this has helped mate
good luck

Answer 2

What Carella said is a very good answer, the exact one I was going to post as well...Hijackthis is a great little program for getting rid of such things...
Remember this is Important!!! Disable System Restore when removing the spyware, then reboot. Then after seeing that it is infact gone, then re-enable system restore and create and new restore point.
There's lots of spyware, Trojans, Viruses etc that store themselves there and will put them right back on your computer the next time you bootup if you don't do this...

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.

Answer 4

exceedingly plenty what the different answerer mentioned. it is not almost sufficient money to get a gadget which will run on the instant's video games even on the brink of decently. once you're making plans on construction a gaming pc, procuring your individual areas is the final guess yet that's no longer sufficient money to even start with.

Answer 5

i think better to format the system and load all anti-virus software in the beginning itself..