Spyware Help Needed. For the 100th time.

Run this free on-line scan. It may get rid of it for you.

http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

i had spyware problem for many monthsand so downloaded spykiller to get rid of it...and to my utmost pissed-offedness, IT DIDN'T WORK.

but then like magic, i updated about 2 months after i bought it...and the updated version caught the program and got rid of it. i guess it just takes awhile for the programmers to catch up with the newest latest parasites.

so based on my experience i would say, buy spykiller and then update it once a week and run it till it catches your parasite.

maybe others have better ideas.

Keep 'em coming! I'll try anything and everything. So far, running the garden hose though the tower hasn't cleaned a damn thing out of there, but I'll try whatever is suggested. I feel like it is me against those pricks, and hell if I'll lose. Thanks for the help so far.

If you can follow directions, you will get a lot of help here:

www.spywarewarrior.com

Read the directions, run their utility and then post the resulting log to the forum. The members will tell how to remove the spyware, the forums are quite active...you can also read some threads and learn a lot about how to attack these problems (where to look, what to look for, how to boot into safe mode, etc.)

there is a program called hijackthis that's pretty effective, but if you do something wrong you lose everything.

there are messageboards full of security & tech guys who will review the results of your Hijackthis log if you post them on the message boards. search google for "hijack this log" and you'll see what i mean.

this is how i've gotten rid of my most persistent problems, but just be careful with it and dont' delete the wrong things.

If you have spyware/malware and the usual attacks don't work (Spybot, AdAware, etc.) you may have a mutating form which spawns a process that keeps reinfecting your machine. These are a bear to remove, but it can be done (had one on my office computer).

First, run Spybot and AdAware and see what they tell you. Have them fix the problem, but then immedaitely run them again. If the same errors keep popping up, you've got the evil form. For example, one common version shows up on AdAware as "Virtumundo" (or "Vundo" or similar variant). On Spybot you'll get errors regarding "ATLEvents". This malware will do two things: 1) Hijack your browser and take you to places like "StopGuard" and "WinFireWall", and 2) spawn a the aforementioned process that will slow your system to a crawl. You can check on this by simply hitting Ctrl-Alt-Del to open the Task Manager (from XP). In the task list, you'll see a process that cycles from 0% CPU to about 90% CPU over and over. What it's doing is reading/writing files to/from your HD (basically refreshing itself). If you're reasonably computer savy and muck about in the OS, this won't be too bad. If you're a greenhorn, you might want to grab a friend who's a bit more knowledgeable to assist you with some of the more arcane stuff.

Go to

www.majorgeeks.com

. Register for their support forum at

http://forums.majorgeeks.com

and go to the subsection "Spyware Specific". Before posting anything, read the FAQ, and the "sticky" threads at the top of the Spyware section (these will give you an overview of what to do. Folks will be rightly pissed if you don't do a little homework and just start posting your problem). Finally, download the required tools (HiJackThis for example) and make the appropriate adjustments to your system (like setting Windows Explorer to show Hidden and System files).

Now, if after reading the items above and trying their tips, you can't get rid of the problem, post a message on the Spyware Specific forum. Someone will probably get to you within a day, sometimes within a couple of hours. Be patient. There are a lot of nice people there who are willing to help you.

Most likely the worm/virus resides in your IEContent file. The only program that can clean this as well as others is Evidence Eliminator. Pricey but worth it.

From what I understand you can not get rid of Spyware completely unless you erase everything you have on your computer and reinstall Windows. You can download programs to clean it up such as Spybot and Adaware but that will only clean up spyware once it's present, not keep it off your computer. The only way to completely rid yourself of Spyware is to save what you want to some CD-R's, and reinstall everything on your computer. Then get a anti-virus disk* such as McAffee and install that before you ever log on to the internet.

Sterno. First off...there are two products I would recommend purchasing. 1) NetGear Safe Web Router(style# RP614) which offers a firewall. 2) Webroot Spyware Sweeper(software). Both of these can be purchased at Best Buy or Curcuit City.

Also make sure all your virus' are updated on Norton and Windows.

Here's the key point. Your first step is to run your recovery disks. You've got to basically start your computer from scratch. Which means if you have any documents/pics/mp3s/etc you'll have to save them on a USB jump drive/CD-R/disks. If you don't...you'll lose everything when you run your recovery disks. Also any additional programs(software) you've added(ie-photoshop,etc) will have to be put back on your computer as well.

Your steps:

1) Save any info currently on your computer you don't want to lose.

2) Run your recovery disks.

3) Add any software you lost during your recovery.

4) Update Norton and Windows virus'

5) Install Spyware Sweeper and NetGear Router

6) Now you can run the internet.

NOTE: Do not run the web/internet until everything is in place...especially that router and sweeper software.

All this is just my suggestion. I had severe adware/pop-up problems for a short period and these are the steps I took over 4 months ago. I've not has a single problem since.

Also...Spybot/Adaware/Hijackthis/etc will not cure your problems. They may prevent new adware from attacking your computer, but there is no sure way to clear everything that's already there without recouping your computer itself.

go to download.com and get Spybot Search and Destroy 3.1 or 1.3 or somethin like that. run it a few times a week.

there are 2 FREE programs that get high marks for removing and detecting spy/adware. there is no need to pay for software to do this, these 2 are generally considered the best and are free for private use. download BOTH as they seem to detect a few diff things, with much overlap. run them regularly. also, update the data files on them regularly.

1) adaware -

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

get it from this site. there is another "adaware" program out there that may INSTALL spyware. that program is trying to trick people into installing it, instead of the "good one."

adaware is free, but you can buy the addon that constantly scans your computer for ad/spyware.

2) spybot -

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

also a good one. i have BOTH on my computer and run them once a week or so. they appear to scan for many of the same things, but there are somethings one gets that the other does not.

i have never had any problems with either of these programs.

last make sure you have an anti-virus program AND THAT YOU UPDATE THE DATA FILE REGULARLY.

FOR THE LAST TIME.

STOP DOWNLOADING PORN!

The best thing you can do to regarding spywear is to tighten up your search habits and avoid the typical places you might experience problems:

i.e. Stop going to porn sites you pervert.

This guy is right on. You might also want to download a copy of SpywareBlaster. This is also a FREE program recommended by most of the same folks who'll recommend AdAware and Spybot S&D. It does not do the same things as those though, SpywareBlaster is an blocker type program that blocks a lot of malware from getting on your computer in the first place.If you're not running a good firewall (the Windows XP one is not adequate), get a copy of the FREE version of either ZoneAlarm or Kerio.If you don't have an up to date anti virus program running get a FREE copy (if you qualify) of Grisoft's AVG antivirus program. If you don't qualify for a free copy do take note that their paid subscription is for TWO years at a price at or below most of the other companies ONE year rate.Good Luck.

Thanks to everyone. I knew you guys would come through. I can't wait to get home and spend the next 10 hours taking on the spyware.

Porn? You mean I got spyware and didn't even get to see the porn. It reminds me of George Costanza arguing with his fiance and not getting make-up sex. Damn!

Thanks again to all.

If you have Windows XP, download Service Pack 2 and set up a firewall. Personally, Spybot+firewall+Spy Sweeper=clean surfing.

Words wrote:

If you have Windows XP, download Service Pack 2 and set up a firewall. Personally, Spybot+firewall+Spy Sweeper=clean surfing.

Definitely keep up to date on your Windows updates. That's a good tip. Also, it may be helpful to use a browser other than Internet Explorer.

The Windows XP firewall, however, is not a fully effective firewall. It blocks outside attempts at entering, but it does nothing to keep programs which are already on your computer from opening up a port and sending information out. Do yourself a favor and get a real firewall.

I don't know the Spy Sweeper product, but you can probably find out if it is any good by checking it out at Majorgeeks, or spywareinfo.com

another thing you can do is switch to mozilla as a browser. less chance of spyware.

http://www.mozilla.org/