i have a damn virus in my registry.. what is the best way for me to get rid of this besides buying a apple computer..

I have norton and spyweeper and both are not doing the job..

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Been there, done that

http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/thread7570.html

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You know, besides using Adaware (visit the link PCDoc supplied) I find a simple search online does loads to help. Remember, even the guys at lavasoft aren't gods, spyware can infect your machine before they have the opportunity to write the code to get it out, so if adaware doesn't work for your particular problem today, don't panick... give it a day or two and try again. In the mean time do a search for the name of your problem (most times if adaware can't get rid of it, it still will provide a name) on your favourite search engine, you'll normally find instructions on how to remove the problem manually.

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I have listed on my website (www.digitalbackups.com/support.htm) (3) free virus scanners, and (3) free spyware scanners, it is amazing how many times all (6) will find something different.

Panda Free Online Virus Scan - Finds and removes viruses - Great at finding Spyware but does not remove them - But if you get Panda to give you an all clear your generally can feel safe of being clean. Note: Cookies are not worth worrying about like Spyware, Viruses, Dialer, Hacking Tools, Etc.
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm

Ewido Networks - Great for finding and removing Trojans, Malware, Viruses, and spyware.
http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/

CA - Etrust - Does well at finding and removing Viruses and Spyware that others miss
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

TrendMicro - There virus scan use to work great for me, now I can not get it to run but the address is www.antivirus.com - but recently I found their online Spyware scanner and it seems to work great.
http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/

Adaware by Lavasoft - One of the best Adware/Spyware removal tools.
Must be downloaded via their website and installed, make sure you get the updates and run a Full Scan - www.lavasoft.com look for the Adaware Personal addition or try
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-...bj=dl&tag=top5

Spybot Search and Destroy - Another great spyware removal tool that you must download, install and update to run.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html or you can try to download it from www.download.com at
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...pybot&subj=dl&

Couple of other suggestions,

Run your scans in Safemode because many infections can not be removed while active, in safemode windows useally only loads what it needs to run, use Safemode with networking, access it by rebooting your computer, when it pops up to a black screen with white lettering or your computer makers screen (before Windows starts to boot) start click the (F8) key until you get a safemode start up screen. once in safe made start the scans above.

If your antivirus is expired, update it or uninstall it and go grab a free virus scanner by Grisoft, it is an excellent free Virus Scanner that competes with the big boys. Download, install, run updates.
http://free.grisoft.com

When purchasing an Antivirus, try to buy a whole security suite with Firewall and more, I like Norton Internet Security because it is simple to use although personally I think Norton has become a resource hog and not nearly effective as it use to be, I like ZoneAlarm Security Suite for its effectiveness, it is fairly easy to use, but sometimes can be too protective (problem filling out legit online forms and such) and does not warn you it is blocking you. I am really looking forward to Grisoft to release its security package due out soon.

These programs and tips will get most viruses and spyware, but sometimes it just comes down to experience from beating your head against the wall on previous attempts, sometimes you need to play with Windows Registry which is not recommended for amatures, sometime you need special programs that will force the virus to close up long enough to remove them, Sometimes the harddrive has to be removed and installed on a clean machine so it can scan it, sometimes the damage is so bad it is just better to reformat and reload windows.

Remember to keep scanning until Panda finds nothing but Cookies - if you do that you can be fairly confident that you have removed all infections.

Good Luck,

Bryan Webster, CCNA, MCSE, MCSE+I
Digital Backups
Web Designer and Hosting
Recently retired Realtor after 20 years in the business
Inspiring to conquer MLS IDX/VOW issues - That is why I am here.

I like Norton Internet Security because it is simple to use although personally I think Norton has become a resource hog and not nearly effective as it use to be,

Norton is a PIG.

Dell installs Norton on it's new machines, probably to realize a few pennies from subscription renewals.

It's the first piece of software I recommend removing.

With XP's integral firewall and AVG Free Antivirus

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

Norton is unnecessary.

ZoneAlarm Security Suite for its effectiveness

At one time ZA was a useful firewall.

Now, with so many of us using XP and connected behind routers / Internet modems with built-in hardware firewalls, ZA has lost much of it's appeal.

Use the ShieldsUP! section of

http://www.grc.com/default.htm

to check for firewall vulnerabilities.

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Not trying to argue here, but to clarify my answers.

"Norton is a PIG"

I think I called it a resource hog - close enough but it is still easy to use and somewhat effective.

"http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5"

That is also what I suggested when I said to install "http://free.grisoft.com "

"Now, with so many of us using XP and connected behind routers / Internet modems with built-in hardware firewalls, ZA has lost much of it's appeal."

XP Firewall, Routers, and such useally only monitor incoming ports and do not monitor outgoing ports, which if a trojan or some other sort of hacking tool does make it on a computer then this becomes important to know that programs are trying to communicate out bound. I do agree that XP firewall and routers are good for 99% of attacks, and a installed firewall like zonealarm probably will only help for .05% more, but it will still help.

"Use the ShieldsUP! section of"

Shields Up is an excellent program and I use it all the time when setting up office networks to check that all ports are stealth.


Bryan

Just to throw this in -

You can use ant-spyware/virus/firewall programs for purposes other than what they are intended, which is why some people use less useful ones like ZoneAlarm. Along with commview you can bridge host by obtaining IP's on xbox live - as well as removing people from the game. I'm not saying I do this, but thats just an example.

Thanks for the ShieldsUP! tip, i've never checked it out - but plan on going there right now.

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thanks to everybody for their ideas. I just reinstalled everything on my comp.. My whole comp was functioning like crap. Hopefully this doesn't happen again for a long time. FYI- i was using an up-to-date version of Norton and still got the bad virus..

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