As I unlocked my computer this afternoon, I was shocked to see 20 Internet Explorer windows open, plus several spyware warnings and program install requests. I tried to close everything, but it was hopeless, so I just turned the computer off. After it rebooted and I attempted to log back into my name, it said my log-in was corrupted and that I'd have to use a temporary one. I did this, but all of the same spyware problems were present on the temporary log-in as well. I used a Spyware removal program to search for problems, but it didn't really seem to work. Then, I went through my Installed Programs list and uninstalled any I thought contained spyware. After all this, my pop-ups have stopped, and I haven't tried to log-in under my old, permanent name, but I'm really worried that I won't be able to. All of my documents AND my iTunes are on that thing!! Does anyone have any solutions to my terrible, terrible problem??
2007-08-20
09:38:37
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8 answers
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asked by
B²
2
in
Computers & Internet
➔ Security
Boot into safe mode and run spyware scans:
This is most likely due to Malware (computer viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware, dishonest adware, and other malicious and unwanted software). You will need to run full anti-virus/spyware scan and clean your registry. I recommend you use these programs (they are free).
1) AVG Free anti-virus
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/
2) Ad-aware spyware remover
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
3) Spybot - Search and Destroy spyware remover
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
4) Advanced WindowsCare Personal
http://www.iobit.com/
5) CCleaner - registry and privacy cleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Running these programs in Safe Mode (tap F8 after powering on the computer and choose to boot to Safe Mode) can be more effective.
If after performing these steps you are still experiencing problems download HijackThis. But do not remove anything without first checking with the online community, it will find both legitimate and malicious software.
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hijackthis
If after exahusting these options and you are still experiencing issues, there is really nothing more you can do except to reformat your computer and start fresh.
2007-08-20 09:42:33
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answer #1
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answered by Samuel Adams 7
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Do NOT download and install any more anti-virus programs unless you completely un-install your current anti-virus program.
The use of 2 anti-virus programs at the same time can cause major conflicts. The 2 scanning engines will fight each other to scan every file that you read, write or execute which can cause a slowdown. For the same reason, using 2 A-Vs can cause you to have less protection from the various malware, not more.
(Using an anti-spyware with an anti-virus is good, however and is recommended)
A much better solution, right now when your computer is severely infected, is the use of on-line scanners.
Run both of these on-line scans. Both are free and excellent at detecting and removing malware free of charge. There is no need to un-install your current protections before using these.
1. Scan for virus, worms, dialers, etc. and remove (free online scan, no downloaded program) with BitDefender's Online Scanner
http://www.bitdefender.com/
2. Scan for trojans, adware, cookies, and spyware and remove (free online scan, no downloaded program) with Ewido Online Scanner ( now known as AVG Anti-Spyware). This is NOT the same as AVG Anti-Virus.
http://www.ewido.net/en/
These scans will take quite a bit of time. The time is necessary to clean-up an infected computer.
Good luck.
2007-08-20 09:50:00
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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* First of all, do never try to run several anti-viruses or anti spyware programs at the same time. It's the right way to destroy your operation system.
* Then, scan your pc with just these programs:
- Kaspersky anti-virus: http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
- True Sword: http://www.securitystronghold.com/true_sword.html
because these programs can find over half a million of different malicious programs.
* Now, after you've cleaned your computer, you'd need three programs to protect it from any attack. These are:
- Kaspersky anti virus
- True Sword 'cause it's the best anti spyware
- Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro to avoid attacks from different internet resources
* My final advice: NEVER use IE, it's the opened gate for different kinds of malicious programs. You'd better use Opera or Mozilla Firefox
Good Luck!!!
2007-08-20 10:42:03
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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i'm a working laptop or computing device forensics expert for the federal government. right this is the undesirable information (and that's all undesirable). There are no AV courses that are any sturdy. Why might I say that. First, by skill of definition, AV courses are reactive, i.e. the quite in basic terms capture undesirable actors as quickly as they have been pointed out. it quite is quite analogous to biomedical analyze on viruses - first you're able to detect them, and in basic terms then are you able to discover a "treatment". maximum energetic viruses (that's almost a meaningless term) have not even been pointed out. nonetheless, the sole quite shield thank you to maintain your "stuff" risk-free is to encrypt your records (i take advantage of PGP application) and then every physique can "hack" your computing device, however the coaching they get would be ineffective. additionally, save all your quite inner maximum stuff, financials, love letters :-) and so on. on a working laptop or computing device that (a million) in no way gets on the cyber web (2) save your stuff encrypted, so as that whether somebody steals your compture, the records would be ineffective (even the U. S. government can not decrypt the records). i'm valuable that's not the respond you quite wanted to hearken to, despite the fact that it in all fairness precise. And do bypass look at PGP application on the cyber web. It has super "white papers" on protection, and so on. Anti-secret agent ware/virus/keylogger/ghost courses in basic terms paintings on the barest minimum of risk-free practices. wish I helped.
2016-11-13 00:24:53
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answer #4
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answered by vereen 4
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Go to http://www.top5antispyware.info/index.php?t=top5an2 to download an anti spyware for free.
Then scan your computer to check and get rid of spyware.
2007-08-22 22:04:24
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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You can try purchasing and running a program called spynomore. I have used it with great success on a spyware problem I had several weeks ago.
2007-08-20 09:44:53
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answer #6
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answered by tw0cl0n3m3 6
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Try not to go with the free anti-spyware and anti-virus stuff, studies show that the free software can miss things (but stuff like Open-office.org and The GIMP are still good)
2007-08-20 09:46:47
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answer #7
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answered by IT Guy 2
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Whit Webroot Spy Sweeper you can remove spyware
2007-08-20 10:12:15
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answer #8
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answered by Gabriel 5
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