Spyware

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Digital Storm Customer Service

Joined: 23 Nov 2007
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Posted: 30 Jan 2008 at 3:03pm

Most spyware is also linked to trojan downloaders. And they're always a PITA to remove. Make sure you're also running an Antivirus scan to clear your system of those trojans. Or else they will just re-download and put those spyware back on your computer.

The tools I use to clean an infected computer is the following suite of software:
AVG antivirus
Spybot
Lavasoft Adaware
HijackThis
CWS Shredder
VundoFix

Its also a good idea to clear all your cookies and temp/cache files and also be disconnected from the internet during the scans.

The whole process is lot of scanning and hours of waiting. If its really bad, I recommend the easy (and faster) route of backing up important data and formatting the drive. That'll get rid of those bugs for good.

Edited by Duke - 30 Jan 2008 at 3:04pm

commast

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Joined: 11 Oct 2007
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Posted: 30 Jan 2008 at 6:30pm

Here's what i use :

A-Squared Free : http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/

SpywareBlaster : http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

ThreatFire : http://www.threatfire.com/ >>>This app also has the real time scanning, which the other free apps doesn't have.

Edited by commast - 30 Jan 2008 at 6:33pm

venom

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Joined: 08 Oct 2008
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Posted: 02 Feb 2008 at 5:37am

AdAware and Webroot SpySweeper will get rid of most of it, though nothing is 100%.

Your best bet would be to reinstall windows, though that is time consuming (if you have to backup stuff), and boring.

Dog Lover

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Posted: 09 Feb 2008 at 1:31pm

I love Adaware. And, yes, many here hate it, but I use Norton Anti-virus.

I also run registry cleaners weekly.

I haven't had any spyware issues in years.

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Pineapplerum View Drop Down

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Joined: 13 Nov 2007
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Posted: 14 Feb 2008 at 8:41pm

My other computer got a bad attack of malware. It messed with the buffer overflow. I couldn't get it out for nothing. It had something to do with the Real player. I'm not downloading Real Player anymore and I'll only use Firefox.
I had to reinstall my Windows. My computer is still making funny noises-I guess it's just getting old but it's a lot faster now.

I get paranoid with those spysweepers, trial security software and such. I "heard" they put spyware and viruses into your computer themselves. I've always been a little suspicious when you can get something for nothing. Call me cynical.

EdH63

DS Veteran

Joined: 01 Sep 2007
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Posts: 1826

Quote

Posted: 14 Feb 2008 at 8:53pm

Originally posted by Pineapplerum

My other computer got a bad attack of malware. It messed with the buffer overflow. I couldn't get it out for nothing. It had something to do with the Real player. I'm not downloading Real Player anymore and I'll only use Firefox.
I had to reinstall my Windows. My computer is still making funny noises-I guess it's just getting old but it's a lot faster now.

I get paranoid with those spysweepers, trial security software and such. I "heard" they put spyware and viruses into your computer themselves. I've always been a little suspicious when you can get something for nothing. Call me cynical.

I've actually had this happen once years ago with Real Player also. Haven't used it since.

Kenpo