How can I get rid of spyware on my laptop and protect it in the future?

Question

My building has wifi. I've always kept my laptop on my own, private network, so I'm not so familar with security things of this sort. Anyway. I have a huge spyware problem after three days. My computer is real slow, and I get a relevant popup (a bank if I'm searching for banks, some entertainment thingy if I'm on myspace, etc) every two or three minutes. It's dang inconvenient, and I'm worried about the health of my computer.

I have Norton, although it hasn't been updated recently, and use Windows EXP. My computer's an Inspiron.

Best advice gets max. best answer points and my undying gratitude. Thanks.

Answer 1

Avast is a free security program to take care of that.
It has no adware, the company is giving it away for free, to keep viruses down in all areas- like big businesses & such.

They give it to personal computer users to help thwart as many viruses & things like that as possible.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Switch to Avant Browser where you have to have MSIE compatibility, but for most things use FireFox.

In FireFox install AdblockerPlus, NoScript and FlashBlock. Noscript will stop all the automation in most sites, including the things that spam you with popups, steal your information and leave cookies lying around.

Now download and run AdAware which will take out most advertising and tracking.

You should also have an antivirus tool, I use Avast right now and it hasn't let me down.

Answer 4

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.

Answer 5

all you have to do is doenload an anti- spyware program... make sure you choose a good program some of them ruine your laptop =)

Answer 6

I use SpybotS&D, and Ad-Aware SE, which are two free spyware removers.

Answer 7

use avg to remove the stuff .. run a software firewall and use a non-standard browser like firefox or opera ..

Answer 8

One of the first things to do when you suspect malware is DISABLE System Restore.
If enabled, this allows malware to hide in the computer and re-install itself.
So, to disable it, RIGHT-click on "My Computer." Select "Properties" then under the 'System Restore' tab, check 'Turn off system restore' IF not already checked.
The next most helpful things that would help you are to use ONLINE scanners from websites to remove any malware on your PC.
The current best online scanners I prefer are from Kaspersky antivirus and Bitdefender antivirus. Together, these 2 scanners will find ALL the bad stuff on your PC because they have the BEST detection rate.
First, use Kaspersky's. (FYI: ALL these scans require you to agree to a EULA and install an activex control which is needed to perform the scan, so agree to them all.)

*NOTE: Some scanners ONLY work with IE or may not fully remove malware

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner... (KAV)

Then scan with:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html...


There are MANY other good online scanners which you may choose to also use (which will take longer but ensure safety):

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/defau... (Windows Live Onecare)

http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/ax/... (A-squared scanner)

http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/... (ewido)

http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/pes... (Spyware scan)

http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/vir... (Virus scan)

http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/s... (Panda Antivirus)

http://www.housecall.trendmicro.com/... (TrendMicro)

http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/... (Nod32)

http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols... (F-secure)


After using these, it's ESSENTIAL to install at least 3 antispywares. Do NOT use more than 1 antiVIRUS as they conflict.

The best things in life are FREE, and great free software can be found @:

Superantispyware.com (Superantispyware FREE version)
lavasoft.com (Ad-aware)
emsisoft.com (A-squared FREE)
safer-networking.org (Spybot S&D)
javacoolsoftware.com (SpywareBlaster, EULAlyzer, & MRU-Blaster)
microsoft.com (Windows Defender)
grisoft.com (AVG AV)
Avast.com (Avast AV)
avira.com (Avira AV)
activevirusshield.com (AOL Virus Shield, which is basically Kaspersky for free)
siteadvisor.com (Tells you how safe websites are)
phoenixlabs.org (Peerguardian blocks malware, government, and anti-p2p org's)
zonealarm.com (Top Notch Firewall)
comodo.com (Another Top Notch firewall)
iobit.com (Advanced Windows Care)
Eusing.com (Registry cleaner)
ccleaner.com (Junk file cleaner)



Now if you can afford it, the best software to BUY are:

Spy Sweeper
Security Task Manager
Norton AV (Takes a lot of CPU but it's nice if you can afford to use those resources up)
Kaspersky AV (BEST! =D )
Bitdefender AV
Sophos AV
F-secure (Same as Kaspersky)
Linkscanner (Blocks exploits in real time)
Advanced Uninstaller

If you're PC is squeaky clean from malware, re-enable system restore because it IS good to have but we needed to shut it off to wipe out the malware.
Just RIGHT-click on "My Computer." Select "Properties" then under the 'System Restore' tab, UN-check "Turn off system restore."


*Another thing to consider is using another browser besides Internet Explorer. IE has a lot of security holes,
making it less safe than other browsers. I prefer Firefox from mozilla.org.
It's just as easy to use and has a lot of neat little add-ons you can toy around with. By itself, it is also safer from exploits than IE.*


As always, things will vary for you. I hope the best for everybody. As always, others may disagree but there's only one way to find things out---try it! As long
as you have an UPDATED Antivirus, Antispyware, & firewall, things will go smoothly. And browse wisely. Hope I was able to help and fix anything needed. If I have, please consider returning & leaving a nice comment and
"Best Answer" to whomever you thinks deserves it...

Answer 9

you should check out this site where you can get a sony vaio laptop for free