Computer Assistance Request (Vanity)

Me ^ | 11-24-05 | johniegrad

[johniegrad]

I have somehow picked up a program called "Spyaxe3.0" on my HP laptop running Windows XP. It claims to be an antispyware program. Since it appears to have installed itself, I have removed it several times with "Add/Remove Programs". I have also done a search and deleted all files related to it that I can find. It causes me to obtain "security alerts" on the toolbar at the bottom of my screen that lead to the Spyaxe website when clicked. Despite my attempts to remove it, it will often reappear when I reboot or start the computer.

I have scanned the system with AVGFree and with NortonAntivirus and have eliminated some other stuff I found which may or may not have been related to the problem.

I am not particularly computer literate so I hope I'm not posting something here that shows off my stupidity. I suspect that there is some obvious fix to this problem that I am just not seeing.

[johniegrad]

And, yes, I am logged in.

[thoughtomator]

http://www.spyaxe.com/index.php

It shouldn't be on your system unless you installed it.

[CarrotAndStick]

Download AdAware. Try cleaning up with it.
It's free.

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

[johniegrad]

Thanks. Failed to state in the post that I already did that.

[dennisw]

Try getting rid of while in safe mode. Is a lot easier

[CarrotAndStick]

Did you try SpyBot?

[johniegrad]

Sorry. Yes, I did use Spybot.

[csvset]

Spywareinfo.com

This forum may benefit you.

[johniegrad]

Will try safe mode. thanks.

[CFC__VRWC]

Microsoft also has a spyware removal beta. I tried it on my work box and it seems to work pretty good.

Link

[CarrotAndStick]

Sometimes some spyware reside in the Windows System Restore files. You may have to disable Windows System Restore temporarily, clean up using any popular anti-spyware tools, restart, and re-enable System Restore.

[RadioAstronomer]

This thread may help:

http://www.computing.net/security/wwwboard/forum/17035.html

[LibWhacker]

They're talking about it over here, too. I'd definitely try removing it while in safe mode.

[wita]

Do you have more than one anti-spyware programs running on your HP? If not, you should. Start with Spybot search and destroy, and the microsoft beta program and SpywareBlaster aren't bad to start with. If you don't have them, and are on the net, you are guaranteed to collect spyware.

A good firewall doesn't hurt either. Zone alarm is what I use. All of the above mentioned are freeware type programs. You don't have to pay, but if you are inclined, you can contribute. It is well worth whatever you give them, and until spyware is eliminated, which will probably be never, they will be increasingly necessary. Spyware is guaranteed to screw up your computer.

[CarrotAndStick]

I found this:

http://www.sysinternals.com/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2412&PN=1&get=last

[RadioAstronomer]

Also this one:

http://www.webuser.co.uk/forums/showflat.php?Number=237919

[Uri’el-2012]

Have you played a Sony CD?

You may have installed the Sony Root

Boycott Sony.

see slashdot

[LibWhacker]

lol

[rightisright]

I have had great success lately removing spyware from friends PC's. (insert installed Linux or purchased a Mac joke here :-))

Seriously, I used to use Spybot and Ad Aware, but now I use almost exclusively Ewido Security Suite and Microsoft Anti Spyware. Working together these products keep our systems lean and clean

[w_over_w]

Click your "Start" button
Open "run"
Type in: MSConfig (hit enter or click "OK") Choose the Startup Tab then check the list for any Spyaxe .exe files and disable them. Reboot