Spyware

[tom]

Ok, I recently recieved an interesting program that doesnt seem to be on my computer, but its on my computer. I've done several scans and nothing shows up, but I know its there because it keeps showing me credit card ads, spyware ads, and nasty females in the buff.

Does anyone know of anything that can alleviate this problem for me? I'd prefer it be cost free, but if I must pay to fix this I guess i'll have too.

It also shuts my computer down after awhile of ignoring it..I guess its emotional.

[zelvenschi]

http://www.lavasoft.com/

Their personal edition is free, and once this was the main software against the spyware. You can try searching with that one. Also I think if you use Windox XP, the best way is to use system restore - as long as you didn't install new programs.

[kyle422]

goto the start menu and click run... type "msconfig" and hit ok. see the startup tab at the top? that will show all the programs you have running at start up. your program should be in there. you may be able to find the malicious program that way.
what spyware removal tool are you using? have you tried www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

[tom]

Thanks guys - I was using Windows Defender..after something else, something shield - I cant remember. I'll run that through and see if it works, my computer keeps shutting off so it might be going on a flight pretty soon....

[kensmith]

System restore will normally take care of problems if it's something that none of the scans can find, ie it's to new and they don't know about it yet.

[kid disco]

LavaSoft's Ad-Aware is excellent...

I combine it with Spyboy Search and Destroy.

[pcdoc]

Understanding Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and Dialers

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...utorial41.html

[Wheatworks]

Does anyone know of anything that can alleviate this problem for me? I'd prefer it be cost free, but if I must pay to fix this I guess i'll have too.

You'll want to use more than one anti-spyware application because none of them get everything. The 3 best free anti-spyware apps seem to be:

* Microsoft Windows Defender : http://www.microsoft.com
* LavaSoft's Ad-Aware® : http://www.lavasoftusa.com
* SpyBot Search&Destroy : http://www.safer-networking.org


More info about securing your computer at:
http://www.wildwickedweb.com/antispyware.htm


Finally, in case you think all anti-spyware products are on the up-and-up, the SpywareWarrior web site lists Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products and web sites.

[tom]

Thanks again, im currently working on it (office comp) and have several programs.

-The lavasoft took care of some of the problem (so it seems)
-I also us ZoneAlarm, which is currently scanning
-I use MS Defender, it found 0 problems so its been put on the backburner's
-I think I had SpyBot S&D but got rid of it, thinking more than one was pointless....

Everytime I do a scan something new is found (usually around 30 files) so im not quite sure whats going on here...but it is rather annoying.

[tom]

I also tried that msconfig thing kyle mentioned, but most of the files I had no clue what they were so I dont want to mess with them. Hopefully all the scanners and programs will take care of it.