How to Eliminate Spyware, Adware, and Random Popups
The Oracle
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How to Eliminate Spyware, Adware, and Random Popups
Since so many people have been coming to this forum with Spyware and Malware Issues, I thought I would link a guide from Tweak3d.net on how to remove Spyware, etc.
How to Eliminate Spyware, Adware, and Random Popups
Before following the steps in this guide, be sure your PC is virus-free. If you don't have a virus scanner, check your PC online or download a scanner!
Take Care,
Richard
How to Eliminate Spyware, Adware, and Random Popups
Before following the steps in this guide, be sure your PC is virus-free. If you don't have a virus scanner, check your PC online or download a scanner!
Take Care,
Richard
'nough said
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I'm as I write I'm running ad-aware on a client's PC - 187 hits so far... Said PC had ground to a halt + caused IE to open 7 separate windows full of c..p everytime IE was run...and disabled NAV.
Thanks Rich and others for mentioning this nifty little program - full marks for usability too.
amofw
Thanks Rich and others for mentioning this nifty little program - full marks for usability too.
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Hi Richard... et al.. 
I've just read through the site you posted. Not bad as a first go, if a might simplistic, and will probably get most of the scum off your machine... the end, really.
Adaware is very good at what it does, within preset limits. It won't for instance take out the more invasive BHOs (Browser Helper Objects).
It also says prepare to "Nuke" New.Net. More than half of the time, a quick trip to Add/Remove Programs will suffice. But when removal screws the winsock and you can no longer access the internet for further advice, you'd probably wish that you had left well alone.
Don't get me wrong though, any good advice (not withstanding the above exception) is better than none.
I could give examples of virii that aren't eradicated by the best AV apps; peper.a being one of the more recent ones that has needed the writing of a special script (Dr.peper), in order to get rid of it. Where do you find, and more importantly learn how to use it, if you don't even know that you've got peper.a?
When you run a virus scan, either online or from a resident program, and it says that the infected file can't be deleted...
Is that because..
A.. it's in System Restore, and therefore able to run happily, and at the same time avoid deletion, or
B.. did your mail checker catch it and quarantine it.
No problem with B, but a big (depending on which one you got) problem with A. Then you have many trojans which can evade detection by the usual AV methods. If your latest copy of NAV (updated to the hilt) says clean, why would you ever think otherwise.
Another one is CoolWebSearch.. Adaware and Spybot can both limit the damage on the older versions, but if you have one of the later variants like Smartsearch for instance, you may not even be able to open most security apps for long enough to run them, or even stay conected to the website long enough to download them in the first place.
Who goes to the Shredder download site and scrolls down to the bottom of the page, reads all the boring "techiebits" about byte verifier exploits, and then gets the relevant patches from Microsoft.. especially when they just grab a direct link from a webpage, and think running it once will cure all their problems.
Don't get me wrong, he's written good advice in the main but.. to coin a phrase.."If only life were that easy".
One that still makes me giggle..
then cry.. 
(So I wanted to use the emoticon, does that make me a bad person??)
Q.. I get porn popups on my computer all the time, how can I fix it?
A.. Install Google's toolbar!
You might get lucky, but that's all it is. The question has been answered without knowing anything about the real cause behind the problem.
Just thought I'd put in a few comment's from someone on the front line as t'were.
I apologise if this looks a bit over-zealous. You may I think I'm a right old cynic, and .. and you're probably right.. but I usually spend several hours each day putting machines straight, when these snippets of information either do little or nothing to cure the main problem, or worse; as in the case of a corrupt winsock, destroy their connection completely.
Hope it helps to give you all a sense of perspective, when dealing with this scum.
Cheers
Liam
I've just read through the site you posted. Not bad as a first go, if a might simplistic, and will probably get most of the scum off your machine... the end, really.
Adaware is very good at what it does, within preset limits. It won't for instance take out the more invasive BHOs (Browser Helper Objects).
It also says prepare to "Nuke" New.Net. More than half of the time, a quick trip to Add/Remove Programs will suffice. But when removal screws the winsock and you can no longer access the internet for further advice, you'd probably wish that you had left well alone.
Don't get me wrong though, any good advice (not withstanding the above exception) is better than none.
I could give examples of virii that aren't eradicated by the best AV apps; peper.a being one of the more recent ones that has needed the writing of a special script (Dr.peper), in order to get rid of it. Where do you find, and more importantly learn how to use it, if you don't even know that you've got peper.a?
When you run a virus scan, either online or from a resident program, and it says that the infected file can't be deleted...
Is that because..
A.. it's in System Restore, and therefore able to run happily, and at the same time avoid deletion, or
B.. did your mail checker catch it and quarantine it.
No problem with B, but a big (depending on which one you got) problem with A. Then you have many trojans which can evade detection by the usual AV methods. If your latest copy of NAV (updated to the hilt) says clean, why would you ever think otherwise.
Another one is CoolWebSearch.. Adaware and Spybot can both limit the damage on the older versions, but if you have one of the later variants like Smartsearch for instance, you may not even be able to open most security apps for long enough to run them, or even stay conected to the website long enough to download them in the first place.
Who goes to the Shredder download site and scrolls down to the bottom of the page, reads all the boring "techiebits" about byte verifier exploits, and then gets the relevant patches from Microsoft.. especially when they just grab a direct link from a webpage, and think running it once will cure all their problems.
Don't get me wrong, he's written good advice in the main but.. to coin a phrase.."If only life were that easy".
One that still makes me giggle..
then cry.. (So I wanted to use the emoticon, does that make me a bad person??) Q.. I get porn popups on my computer all the time, how can I fix it?
A.. Install Google's toolbar!
You might get lucky, but that's all it is. The question has been answered without knowing anything about the real cause behind the problem.
Just thought I'd put in a few comment's from someone on the front line as t'were.
I apologise if this looks a bit over-zealous. You may I think I'm a right old cynic, and .. and you're probably right..
but I usually spend several hours each day putting machines straight, when these snippets of information either do little or nothing to cure the main problem, or worse; as in the case of a corrupt winsock, destroy their connection completely.Hope it helps to give you all a sense of perspective, when dealing with this scum.
Cheers
Liam
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Hey Liam,
It is a little simplistic, but that is how Rob (PPRuNe Towers) wants us to keep it. The Admin Team at PPRuNe do not want us to get too Techie, so I try to keep it to K.I.S.S. replies.
(Just remember when you are posting, Rob and the gang are MAC users, so K.I.S.S. always applies.)
Take Care,
Richard
It is a little simplistic, but that is how Rob (PPRuNe Towers) wants us to keep it. The Admin Team at PPRuNe do not want us to get too Techie, so I try to keep it to K.I.S.S. replies.
(Just remember when you are posting, Rob and the gang are MAC users, so K.I.S.S. always applies.)
Take Care,
Richard
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Interesting- I downloaded Spykiller from the site, as a free trial. Having tried it, I find that Spykiller say that I have 32 spyware and adware parasites on board- to get rid of them, I've to buy the software.
I already have Adaware (free) on board- it tells me simultaneously, and a lot quicker, that I only have one spyware booger affecting my progress.
Which one's right? or wrong!!
I already have Adaware (free) on board- it tells me simultaneously, and a lot quicker, that I only have one spyware booger affecting my progress.
Which one's right? or wrong!!
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Two hours later.
I noticed that my version of Adaware was out of date, so I downloaded version 6. Lo and behold, it caught up with 120 intruders! So I deleted the redundant Spykiller programme via add/remove programes in the Control panel. Even having deleted it, it must still be lurking in the regitry- it comes up every time I reboot. BEWARE- be very careful if you decide to install Spykiller.
a) You will have to buy the programme (Adaware 6 seems better and it's free!), and
b) It sticks like glue, even if you don't want it.
Over to you, Richard!
I noticed that my version of Adaware was out of date, so I downloaded version 6. Lo and behold, it caught up with 120 intruders! So I deleted the redundant Spykiller programme via add/remove programes in the Control panel. Even having deleted it, it must still be lurking in the regitry- it comes up every time I reboot. BEWARE- be very careful if you decide to install Spykiller.
a) You will have to buy the programme (Adaware 6 seems better and it's free!), and
b) It sticks like glue, even if you don't want it.
Over to you, Richard!
The Oracle
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Tosh McCaber,
Try running Ad-Aware with these settings:
That should do a deeper scan of your system.
Take Care,
Richard
Try running Ad-Aware with these settings:
- Click on the Webupdate
- Click Start
- Select Drives/Folders to Scan
- Select your main drive
- Click on Next
That should do a deeper scan of your system.
Take Care,
Richard
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Hi Tosh,
Just got in and going to bed, but re: Spykiller, it's being scrutinised by Spywareinfo.com at the moment as a probable malware in it's own right, much the same as SpyNuker.. which has already earned the status of scum.
And to Richard..
I fully understand this site not wanting to go down a high-tech security route. This is a pretty specialised field, and there are plenty of places to get specific technical help. I just wanted to make people aware of the hidden dangers that exist out there.
Nothing that I say or do, anywhere on the web nets me, or anyone else, any material gain whatsoever. And I never recommend any software that isn't free and freely available, and most importantly safe.
Just to emphasize that there's no there's no subliminal commercial happening. :thmbup:
I just see what this crap can do to people's computers, and it makes me so
MAD ..
Perhaps I ought to get out more..
Cheers
Liam
Just got in and going to bed, but re: Spykiller, it's being scrutinised by Spywareinfo.com at the moment as a probable malware in it's own right, much the same as SpyNuker.. which has already earned the status of scum.
And to Richard..
I fully understand this site not wanting to go down a high-tech security route. This is a pretty specialised field, and there are plenty of places to get specific technical help. I just wanted to make people aware of the hidden dangers that exist out there.
Nothing that I say or do, anywhere on the web nets me, or anyone else, any material gain whatsoever. And I never recommend any software that isn't free and freely available, and most importantly safe.
Just to emphasize that there's no there's no subliminal commercial happening. :thmbup:
I just see what this crap can do to people's computers, and it makes me so
MAD ..
Perhaps I ought to get out more..
Cheers
Liam
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Liam,
There are several of us in here that like to give the MAC crowd a little ribbing from time to time. All in fun.
The PC users of this forum are all very sharp. They all catch on very quick, but we dumb it down so the MAC gang can keep up.
Sleep Well,
Richard
There are several of us in here that like to give the MAC crowd a little ribbing from time to time. All in fun.
The PC users of this forum are all very sharp. They all catch on very quick, but we dumb it down so the MAC gang can keep up.
Sleep Well,
Richard
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errr, don't feel the need to dumb it down for us Richard. We simply don't get the problems you poor wintel users get.
Let's see, Networking, bios, drivers, video drivers, interupts and clashes, viruses, trojans, worms, malware, spyware, CD and DVD ripping and burning, drive configuration and formating, comms set ups, router configuration, wireless networking, firewalls and general security.
That about covers an average week here doesn't it? Try the search facility over, say, the last three years. Ever seen a query from a Mac user?
It just don't happen and around 15% of PPRuNers are Mac users going on our browser used stats
I enjoy the banter with our resident volunteer experts but there is a serious point to our guidance. This forum is viewed by a large number of lurkers suffering the pitfalls of Sir Bill's magnum opus. Tech advice here can get to levels that are simply offputting to the majority of poor souls sniffing for some help. This thread is a perfect case in point.
For those reading and assuming a messianic monotheistic worship of the Mac: The Lloyd's were founding Euro members of the Homebrew club running the Altair and coding by switch position in 1978. I first overclocked and refrigerated in the days of the 486DX and I've built approximately 130 PC's.
I've owned a registered copy of Windows since January 1988 - version two where the windows almost behaved if they overlapped. I still do - XP these days both standard and Tablet.
This forum is actually the sales pitch for the Mac not anything I write. It's the absence of problems from Mac users that tells the real tale for those who want a machine that works and does real work rather become an absorbing and occasionally maddening interest in itself.
Wintel is the greatest work creation project ever created - a cottage industry in every town and hamlet. But it is all a bit silly isn't it if you just want to use the internet, write e-mail, the odd letter and look after your music/photos coz that what's they are really used for in the real world???
So back to the average week here again: Networking, bios, drivers, video drivers, interupts and clashes, viruses, trojans, worms, malware, spyware, CD and DVD ripping and burning, drive confiuration and formatting, comms set ups, router configuration, wireless networking, firewalls and general security. It's just like my admin mailbag - the same problems again and again from the baffled, frustrated and confused. Groundhog Day for Techies should be the name of the forum
Oh, I forgot, you might have to open the case on an iPod to change the battery
Bantering regards,
Rob
Let's see, Networking, bios, drivers, video drivers, interupts and clashes, viruses, trojans, worms, malware, spyware, CD and DVD ripping and burning, drive configuration and formating, comms set ups, router configuration, wireless networking, firewalls and general security.
That about covers an average week here doesn't it? Try the search facility over, say, the last three years. Ever seen a query from a Mac user?
It just don't happen and around 15% of PPRuNers are Mac users going on our browser used stats
I enjoy the banter with our resident volunteer experts but there is a serious point to our guidance. This forum is viewed by a large number of lurkers suffering the pitfalls of Sir Bill's magnum opus. Tech advice here can get to levels that are simply offputting to the majority of poor souls sniffing for some help. This thread is a perfect case in point.
For those reading and assuming a messianic monotheistic worship of the Mac: The Lloyd's were founding Euro members of the Homebrew club running the Altair and coding by switch position in 1978. I first overclocked and refrigerated in the days of the 486DX and I've built approximately 130 PC's.
I've owned a registered copy of Windows since January 1988 - version two where the windows almost behaved if they overlapped. I still do - XP these days both standard and Tablet.
This forum is actually the sales pitch for the Mac not anything I write. It's the absence of problems from Mac users that tells the real tale for those who want a machine that works and does real work rather become an absorbing and occasionally maddening interest in itself.
Wintel is the greatest work creation project ever created - a cottage industry in every town and hamlet. But it is all a bit silly isn't it if you just want to use the internet, write e-mail, the odd letter and look after your music/photos coz that what's they are really used for in the real world???
So back to the average week here again: Networking, bios, drivers, video drivers, interupts and clashes, viruses, trojans, worms, malware, spyware, CD and DVD ripping and burning, drive confiuration and formatting, comms set ups, router configuration, wireless networking, firewalls and general security. It's just like my admin mailbag - the same problems again and again from the baffled, frustrated and confused. Groundhog Day for Techies should be the name of the forum
Oh, I forgot, you might have to open the case on an iPod to change the battery
Bantering regards,
Rob
Last edited by PPRuNe Towers; 27th Jan 2004 at 22:11.
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Rob,
It is all the different combinations you can have with a PC that really makes it fun. It can get repetitive at times, as you say:
Groundhog Day for Techies
But there are good mysteries out there to be solved. I see PCs as the Free Market at its best and MACs as Full Government Control.
All the real innovating is happening on the PC side.
I will not argue about Windows and Microsoft having their problems, but WinXP has solved most of the problems. I will not ever miss the days of Win9X!
As for Viruses and Spam, Bill Gates has told World Economic Forum that by 2006 spam will be eliminated. He also noted that sometimes he's off the mark on his predictions:
The full story is here:
Bill Gates Says Make Spammers Pay
Take Care,
Richard
It is all the different combinations you can have with a PC that really makes it fun. It can get repetitive at times, as you say:
Groundhog Day for Techies
But there are good mysteries out there to be solved. I see PCs as the Free Market at its best and MACs as Full Government Control.
All the real innovating is happening on the PC side.
I will not argue about Windows and Microsoft having their problems, but WinXP has solved most of the problems. I will not ever miss the days of Win9X!
As for Viruses and Spam, Bill Gates has told World Economic Forum that by 2006 spam will be eliminated. He also noted that sometimes he's off the mark on his predictions:
"Two years from now, spam will be solved," he told a select group of World Economic Forum participants at this Alpine ski resort. "And a lot of progress this year," he added at the event late Friday, hosted by U.S. talk show host Charlie Rose.
Gates said Microsoft, where he has the title of chief software designer, is working on a solution based on the concept of "proof," or identifying the sender of the e-mail.
One method involves a human challenge, or requiring the sender of an electronic pitch to solve a puzzle that only a flesh-and-blood person can handle. Another is a so-called "computational puzzle" that a computer sending only a few messages could easily handle, but that would be prohibitively expensive for a mass-mailer.
Gates said Microsoft, where he has the title of chief software designer, is working on a solution based on the concept of "proof," or identifying the sender of the e-mail.
One method involves a human challenge, or requiring the sender of an electronic pitch to solve a puzzle that only a flesh-and-blood person can handle. Another is a so-called "computational puzzle" that a computer sending only a few messages could easily handle, but that would be prohibitively expensive for a mass-mailer.
Bill Gates Says Make Spammers Pay
Take Care,
Richard
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Too detailed or not detailed at all, I agree with Timothy. This thread should be sticky. The questions come up at least once a week
Hey I have one of the old mac's in my loft with (I think) a massive 10Mb hard drive and a sensational 20mb external drive. Do I qualify for dumbed down posts too ?
Hey I have one of the old mac's in my loft with (I think) a massive 10Mb hard drive and a sensational 20mb external drive. Do I qualify for dumbed down posts too ?
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Richard,
I hope with a vengeance that Bill delivers but I'm left scratching my head at the same time.
This isn't a points scoring exercise because it effects us all. How can anyone trust a solution from Microsoft? I followed your Gibson link today - a very interesting and useful site. But I also saw yet another cottage industry devoted entirely to righting the tosh produced by Redmond.
How can anyone produce repeated iterations of a product where buffer overruns in the clipboard open up the OS. The clipboard for heavens sake and it's been like that since 3.1 It's certainly a free market out there - free of secure, working, reliable software and system architecture.
Sorry about the thread drift but it needed saying with a new techie on board (welcome Liam!). It can be tidied up for the FAQ's. PPRuNers generally want to just use their computer for productive work or entertainment. The computer itself isn't an interest, it is a major annoyance. That's the reason for the word 'issues' in the forum title.
I think I'll go for a bit of a lie down now
Rob
I hope with a vengeance that Bill delivers but I'm left scratching my head at the same time.
This isn't a points scoring exercise because it effects us all. How can anyone trust a solution from Microsoft? I followed your Gibson link today - a very interesting and useful site. But I also saw yet another cottage industry devoted entirely to righting the tosh produced by Redmond.
How can anyone produce repeated iterations of a product where buffer overruns in the clipboard open up the OS. The clipboard for heavens sake and it's been like that since 3.1 It's certainly a free market out there - free of secure, working, reliable software and system architecture.
Sorry about the thread drift but it needed saying with a new techie on board (welcome Liam!). It can be tidied up for the FAQ's. PPRuNers generally want to just use their computer for productive work or entertainment. The computer itself isn't an interest, it is a major annoyance. That's the reason for the word 'issues' in the forum title.
I think I'll go for a bit of a lie down now
Rob
'nough said
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So why is it that when you search Google with the string "Mac problems" you get 2920 results, including at the very top a forum dedicated to mac issues which currently seems to contain over 30000 threads.
The Google return for Macs may only be a tenth of what you get for "PC problems" but surely it should zero or an error code
404-page not found if life was so rosy with a Mac?
The Google return for Macs may only be a tenth of what you get for "PC problems" but surely it should zero or an error code
404-page not found if life was so rosy with a Mac?
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Maybe we should make a sticky thread on Macs vs. PCs as it seems to pop up pretty regularily too.
As for Bill Gates saying Spam will be gone in two years, I'll believe it when I see it.
goates
As for Bill Gates saying Spam will be gone in two years, I'll believe it when I see it.
goates
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Rob & goates,
I do believe it is possible that Spam will be gone in two years, but I do not particularly think it will be Bill Gates to do it.
I think someone working in their garage will come out with something that will effectively eliminate it. (Till they come out with a new form of Spam.)
Take Care,
Richard
I do believe it is possible that Spam will be gone in two years, but I do not particularly think it will be Bill Gates to do it.
I think someone working in their garage will come out with something that will effectively eliminate it. (Till they come out with a new form of Spam.)
Take Care,
Richard
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amanoffewwords,
Excellent point and deserves a straightforward response.
Primary concern is here is PPRuNe so I set you this challenge for your search urges when I switch the system back on later tonight.
For the 3 years this forum has run pull up all threads regarding Mac problems. That's all three years and set them against one week of PC problems. Actually, I'm happy to set them against one day and I include every aspect of software, hardware, viruses, malware - you name it.
Tell you what, I'll even throw in problems with iPods even if they aren't a Mac.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Rob
Excellent point and deserves a straightforward response.
Primary concern is here is PPRuNe so I set you this challenge for your search urges when I switch the system back on later tonight.
For the 3 years this forum has run pull up all threads regarding Mac problems. That's all three years and set them against one week of PC problems. Actually, I'm happy to set them against one day and I include every aspect of software, hardware, viruses, malware - you name it.
Tell you what, I'll even throw in problems with iPods even if they aren't a Mac.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Rob