I think I might have a spyware infection, but I'm not sure?

Question

My mom's been complaining that whenever she goes to some web pages, there's this song that comes on saying "Please Go To Sleep!". Any idea on what's wrong? Your answers are very much appreciated!

I have AVG Free and Spyware Doctor, just if you're wondering. It probably isn't detected by either program though.

Answer 1

Try the following free softwares to rid yourself of malware:

I prefer Avast, but AVG is just as great.

AVG AntiVirus
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Avast Home Antivirus
http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-...

You may also want some other tools to run and use as well

SpywareBlaster
http://www.download.com/spywareblaster/3...

Spybot S&D
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirro...

AVG AntiSpyware
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tp...

Adaware (Lavasoft)
http://www.download.com/ad-aware-2007-fr...

If you are currently having a problem:

◙ Download and install AVG. Use it first and see if it finds any viruses or trojans.

☞ http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

◙ After running AVG go here and run this virus scanner online. There is no need to install it on your computer.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/...........

◙ Microsoft's New Live Safety Center. Download this scanner to check and remove spyware, viruses, get rid of obsolete files and junk off your computer, and improve your PCs performance.

☞ http://safety.live.com/site/en-us/defaul...

◙ The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom—and helps remove any infection found. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. You can run this tool online FREE.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detai...

◙ Before downloading email attachments in Gmail and Yahoo Mail click on the link that says, "Scan With Norton Antivirus".

◙ Before downloading any software from the internet type it into http://groups.google.com/ to see if that title is known for spyware or viruses. Google Groups has over 1 billion posts spanning 25 years to help you. Even after checking it there ALWAYS scan it before opening it. You just can't be too careful. -- Smart Computing Magazine

◙ A lot of the download sites like http://www.download.com/ and http://www.tucows.com/ scan software before releasing it to the public. But just for safety sake you should still scan it yourself.

◙ Here is a really great article on browser hijacking. This will show you how to get rid of it. There is a tutorial and software to get rid of part of it. You'll need to make some changes to your computer's registry to get rid of the rest of it. Click on the chatroom link on their main page if you need help.

☞ http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/hija...

◙ Here is Yahoo!'s Internet Security section.

☞ http://security.yahoo.com/

◙ Below is Mcafee's Site Adviser. Type in a URL in the form here and you will find out if the site you want to go to is known for phising (getting your personal info under false pretenses), viruses, spyware, and many other things. You can use the tool on their site or download an program to do that.

☞ http://www.siteadvisor.com/

◙ Get more information at these PC Magazine Web sites.

☞ http://www.pcmag.com/
☞ http://www.smartcomputing.com/

◙ Top 100 Computer & Software Magazines.

☞ http://netvalley.com/top100mag.html........

★★ TOOLS FOR SPECIFIC VIRUSES & TIPS ★★

◙ Sometimes you'll get a particularly nasty virus that cannot be removed with conventional tools. For times like these you can (quite often not always) download a removal tool for that specific virus. Below are some sites you should look at.

☞ http://www.grisoft.com/doc/utilities/ing...
☞ http://www.symantec.com/security_respons...
☞ http://www.bitdefender.com/site/download...

◙ Below is a tool called "Stinger" that Mcafee put together with all 54 of it's tools in it.

☞ http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/............

◙ GLOBAL VIRUS ALERT -- The latest virus outbreak alerts from F-Secure, Trend Micro, Panda, and Sophos. Each anti-virus fighter is reporting the state of the Virus Battles on its front, which reflects a unique customer and geographic profile.

☞ http://www.trimmail.com/news/tools/#glob...

◙ Add free virus alerts to your web site.

☞ http://www.trendmicro.com/syndication/vi...
For Trojans try these ( free to try),
http://www.ewido.net/en/
Or
http://www.misec.net/trojanhunter/.........
Or
http://www.agnitum.com/products/tauscan/...


And always scan once a week with these free and trusted scanners as well if you go to gaming sites and porn and etc.
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/...........
http://www.webroot.com/freescan............
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner......
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ac...
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virus...
http://www.bitdefender.com/

First, you need anti-virus software - download, install and update AVG anti-virus (it's free for personal use) - you can find it here - http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Then remove your System Restore points (viruses love to hide in the System Restore files), but be aware that if you do remove your existing Restore Points you will not be able to "roll back" your computer to a previous configuration. To find out how to disable System Restore see this page - http://www.pchell.com/virus/systemrestor...

Just to be sure you don't have other malware on your computer I recommend that you download SpyBot Search & Destroy and Adware - both are free spyware/adware detection and removal software.

Next, start the computer in Safe Mode - (as the comptuer is starting up, keep tapping the F8 key on your keyboard until you see a special start-up menu) - more on how to start in Safe Mode here - http://www.microsoft.com/resources/docum...

Using AVG - run a full system virus scan while in Safe Mode

After the viruses have been detected and removed, run SpyBot and AdAware (full system scans) then restart the comptuer, enable System Restore again and enjoy a virus-free computing experience.

If the problems are still there, try using MSCONFIG to help figure out how to manually disable the Trojan from starting up - see more about MSCONFIG here - http://netsquirrel.com/msconfig/...........

To help protect against malware you should install a firewall, Zone Alarm works perfectly well and is free – http://www.zonealarm.com/store/content/c...

Also, don't forget to keep Windows up-to-date - using Microsoft Windows Update!

After following these instructions go to: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/must-read... they will help you for free, no credit card or personal information needed, and they will analyze Hijack This logs for you, to make sure that your computer is safe. HijackThis helps If persistent spyware is bogging down your computer, you might need HijackThis. The tiny program examines vulnerable or suspect parts of your system, such as browser helper objects and certain types of Registry keys. Pressing the Scan button generates a log of dozens of items, most of which are just customizations. Don't check off an item and hit the Fix checked button unless you're sure it's malware. Clicking Info on selected item tells you why the entry was flagged as suspicious, but not whether it's actually malware. To find that out, search the Web for that item's name or go straight to a forum, such as SpywareInfo or Computer Cops. Saving the log creates a text document you can post to these forums.

The latest version adds powerful tools to the Config window. The process manager and hosts file editor help you excise virulent infections. The unique ADS Spy tool scans for alternate data streams, which some browser hijackers use to hide from spyware removers. The program still installs into whatever directory in which you unzip the file, which can make it hard to locate. HijackThis is a serious tool for any user who needs to root out a serious infestation, but wield it with caution. So, go to the site I gave you above, and they'll help you step by step.
Free registry cleaners:
CCleaner does not specialise in cleaning the registry, it's mostly used to speed up your computer by cleaning up your recycle bin, temp files/internet files, browsing history, application errors, log files and so on.. which frees up some space in your harddisk


I've tried these 10 free cleaners
http://www.regsofts.com/freeware/freereg...
I would recommend the following(click on the webpage and follow):

Free Windows Registry Repair(first one) - rather effective, the first scan i did after about a year showed over 500 problems with the registry, fixed them all

RegSeeker(2nd one) - fixed another 300 problems after using the previous one.

and like the two of them said, Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and Abexo Free Registry Cleaner(30 day trial)

Just run them all that'll fix most problems! But dont expect 100% fixes because programs might recreate registry entries when used and so a second scan might still show the same few errors. (ignore such errors)



those are all freeware, hope i'm of some help

Good Luck!

P.S. First go to: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/defau... Choose full service scan and let it install any active x components

Answer 2

here I included links to some tools I use often (work in a hospital a computer technician)
Spybot - Search & Destroy (often Spybot-S&D) is a popular malware, spyware and adware removal program which works on Microsoft Windows 95 and later. Like most malware scanners, Spybot-S&D scans the computer hard disk and/or RAM for malicious software.

Spybot was written by the German software engineer Patrick Michael Kolla, and is distributed by Kolla's Irish company Safer Networking Limited. Development began in 2000 when Kolla, still a student, wrote a small program to deal with the Aureate/Radiate and Conducent TimeSink programs, two of the earliest examples of adware.

Cleanup deletes temp files and unused files left in your hard drive by installation programs etc.
also cleans browsing history and cookies.


they are great and they are free
I would also recomend to defragment your hard drive and ran a check disk.
also if you cant afford an antivirus you can download the 1 YEAR trial of Computer Associates antivirus.
;)
NOTE BE CAREFUL WHEN DOWNLOADING "COMPUTER OPTIMIZATION SOFTWARE" SOME WEBSITES WOULD INFECT YOUR COMPUTER IN STEAD WITH SPYWARE AND ADVERTISEMENT. my advice is to go to "techie" websites like DZnet; HardOCP or others and read the nerds opinions about this software ;)
we know better
good luck and send me an e-mail or IM me if you need any more help.

Answer 3

I like to come back straight to the factor that...SPYWARE DOCTOR IS TELLING LIES!!!!!!!! OK. I went to Major Geeks to down load Spyguard and Spyware Blaster on my NEWLY wiped clean computing device. When final out a few home windows I see one up from Spyware Doctor. Hmmm, I not ever clicked to get this window up, however probably I hit a button via mistake at Major Geeks and didnt discover a reveal stoning up? So I hit there FREE SCAN. Well alternatively of simply scanning, it wishes to down load a loose trial. OK some thing, I can simply uninstall it if I dont adore it. I run the trial and up pops approximately 12 spyware and adware matters that experience NO WAY of having on my computing device! I have Aluria, Adaware, Spybot S&D already mounted, and feature them geared to run robotically with a boot up. Nothing observed from those men, however this Spyware Doctor turns out to uncover stuff. THAT IS CRAP I SAY! Anti-spyware and adware techniques are first-rate, however anybody that has to mislead you approximately stuff for your computing device is NOT a enterprise I could recollect shopping from. Beware of Spyware Doctor!!!! THE EVIL!

Answer 4

That sounds more like a virus than spyware. Get a virus scanner, run it and then go to spybot.com and check out your system.

Answer 5

For spyware use Ad-Aware
for viruses use Avast

Answer 6

CLEAN UP:

DISK CLEAN:

XP:

start--all programs--accessories--system tools--disk clean
select os ( c )--select ok after scan--select delete--ok

Vista:

control panel--performance information & tools--select drive ( c )--click ok--click ok on disk cleanup for os ( c )--click delete files

do this [ disk clean ] weekly

disk defrag:

XP:

start--all programs--accessories--system tools--disk defrag
click analyze--click defrag

Vista:

control panel--performance information & tools--advanced tools--open disk defragmenter--click defrag now

do monthly

XP/Vista:

temp files:

internet options--general--history [ delete--temp files [ delete ]

Cookies:

don't just delete them ! MANAGE them !
http://cookiemanage.diaryland.com

EMPTY PREFETCH FOLDER:

XP/VISTA:
my computer/computer--local disk drive ( c )--windows--prefetch
click view--press delete key on keyboard
monthly

get Ccleaner to clean up deleteable files and registry seeker to manage your start up programs. disable those programs you don't need at start up.
DO NOT DISABLE:
Anti-Virus
Anti-Spyware
Firewall

things like regseeker,ccleaner,spybot,those you can disable.

http://browseraddons.friendpages.com


[e-mail]

VIRUS REMOVAL PROCESS:

do this OFFLINE

trash likes to hide in your restore system,so every time you clean up your computer and you use system restore,it restores the trash along with everything else !
turn off system restore:
XP:
start--all programs--accessories--system tools--system restore
check the off box

Vista:

right click computer icon
select properties
select system protection
uncheck os ( c: ) ( system )

alerter & messenger services:
stop messenger spam !!

XP only:
all programs--administrative tools--services
all services are in alphabetical order,right click both alerter & messenger services--select properties--from drop down menu,select disable

Active X:
XP ONLY
internet explorer--tools--internet options--security--advanced
uncheck download unsigned--unsafe--autoprompt

CLEAN UP:

delete history:

XP & Vista:

internet explorer--tools--internet options--general:
click delete history--temp files & cookies
set days to keep history to 0

Prefetch folder:

XP:
start,my computer,disk drive ( c ),windows,prefetch
click view
select "select all"
press delete key on keyboard

Vista:

same thing except my computer is now plain ole computer

Security:

block spyware cookies:
XP:
either from your desktop shortcut or all programs or start page [ lol,MS is all about redundency ]
internet explorer--tools--internet options--privacy--advanced--override
check allow 1st party cookies,block 3rd party [ spyware ] cookies

Vista:

same way as XP

manage your cookies [ with screenshots ]
http://managecookies.diaryland.com

ActiveX:

XP ONLY

internet explorer,tools,internet options,security tab,advanced tab
uncheck download unsigned, not safe & automatic prompt

now return to system restore and select create a new restore point,name the point [ new ? ] and you're set to go

go online and:

download/install/update & run spybot spyware remover,avast anti-virus,regseeker,avg anti-rootkit,rootkit revealer,firefox 2.0.0.4 web browser from

MENU
Acessibility Help,ANTI-ROOTKIT,ANTI-VIRUS,ANTI-SPYWARE,Browser FIREFOX 3.0a5pre
Buddy Browser,a child safe wweb browser for children,CLEAN UP,DESKTOP HELPERS
FIREFOX EXTENSIONS INSTALLED,FIREWALL,Multi Media Files,REGISTRY CLEANERS
SECURITY,Link Checkers,Ect

http://browseraddons.friendpages.com

Answer 7

You need to get yourself an antivirus program like McAfee and an antispyware program like Ad-Aware. And use them.

Answer 8

try spybot:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/home/index.html

and Stinger v3.4.9 just incase:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

Answer 9

Go to this address , is go in to show you how to check it in safe mode.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blog/null/1696

Answer 10

run Yahoo anti spy from your tolbar - it's very good