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Anti-Spyware Programs Clean but Don't Disinfect
The Houston Chronicle ^ | October 31, 2004 | Matthew Fordahl [Associated Press]

Posted on 10/31/2004 9:11:53 PM PST by quidnunc

Salinas, Calif. — Though less than a year old, the PC took more than åfive minutes to start up and never shut down without stalling on error messages. Attempts to Web surf generated at least a half-dozen pop-up ads and — frequently — system freezes.

Internet Explorer's home page was hijacked. Attempts to reach some sites, including eBay — were redirected to random search engines that only called up more ads. Google search results were altered. And the modem, without permission, tried to dial distant lands in search of porn.

Welcome to the nasty world of a PC infected with adware, spyware, dialers and their ilk, all of it installed without the knowledge of its owner — my brother-in-law.

No sooner had he spent nearly $1,000 for the Dell Dimension 4600C than he lost control of it to advertisers and porn peddlers.

My brother-in-law, bless him, had committed the computing equivalent of running with sharp objects: Installing free software willy-nilly, clicking carelessly on misleading ads or spam and letting relatives (not this one) have free reign during visits.

But my job was not to judge. It was, rather, to make the violated system hum again. I agreed have a go at degunking it provided I could write about the experience. He agreed.

-snip-

(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; Extended News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: computersecurity; exploit; getamac; internetexploiter; lowqualitycrap; microsoft; patch; securityflaw; spyware; tech; trojan; virus; windows; worm
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1 posted on 10/31/2004 9:11:53 PM PST by quidnunc
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To: quidnunc

If you download Kazaa you're asking for trouble.


2 posted on 10/31/2004 9:16:18 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: quidnunc

Anybody have an opinion as to the best ad ware spy ware program. I use Ad Ware and Webroot and can't get the job done. Have a couple programs I can't get rid of.


3 posted on 10/31/2004 9:17:33 PM PST by OneTimeLurker
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To: OneTimeLurker

try cws shredder. it has bailed me out


4 posted on 10/31/2004 9:18:59 PM PST by fooman (Get real with Kim Jung Mentally Ill about proliferation)
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To: OneTimeLurker

Download Spybot Search & Destroy. And download Spyblaster to keep the pests off your hard drive for good. They're both free.


5 posted on 10/31/2004 9:20:02 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: OneTimeLurker
I use adware and spybot. Then Norton and AVG for viruses. Scan with all the above on max and use the ad prevent settings when done. Often you can dump a lot of the slow down by erasing all cookies.

If you haven't already switch to mozilla or firefox for a better browser.

Linux is the final solution.
6 posted on 10/31/2004 9:20:40 PM PST by snooker (Bush 2004 --- stay with the strong horse)
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To: fooman

He left out using Zone Alarm or some good firewall...


7 posted on 10/31/2004 9:20:52 PM PST by GummyIII (Everyone has as photographic memory...now where did I put that film????)
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To: quidnunc

where are the geeks when we need them? I just had a pop-up while I typed this!!!


8 posted on 10/31/2004 9:21:28 PM PST by gdc61
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To: quidnunc
Hijackthis is a very good utility for removing browser hijacks and malicious programs loading on startup.
9 posted on 10/31/2004 9:21:48 PM PST by Maurice Tift
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To: OneTimeLurker

What's worked for me is to reinstall Windows ME(or whatever you use). It takes about an hour, but afterwards my hard drive is squeaky clean.


10 posted on 10/31/2004 9:22:28 PM PST by silent_jonny (I voted on October 26, 2004---GO BUSH, BURR, BALLANTINE!)
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To: snooker

Most folks don't realize Spybot has TeaTimer and Resident. They block changes to the registry and warn of changes to homepages, etc.... I use it and Webroot's Spy Sweeper. They work well.


11 posted on 10/31/2004 9:22:52 PM PST by GummyIII (Everyone has as photographic memory...now where did I put that film????)
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To: quidnunc

I use ad-aware, cwshredder, spybot seach and destroy, and spyblaster. Been a while since I had any major problems.


12 posted on 10/31/2004 9:24:16 PM PST by Simmy2.5 (Kerry, because we should be U.N. Cool!)
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To: silent_jonny

I have a brand new computer as of today. I am running Norton virus scan right now for the first time and it has already found one virus!

I've run adware twice today and had to clean up about 40 things already!

This is just nuts!


13 posted on 10/31/2004 9:24:35 PM PST by abner (http://www.swiftvets.com or http://www.wintersoldier.com)
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To: GummyIII

I find if you immunize with both adware and spybot it helps keep the problems down to a small number.


14 posted on 10/31/2004 9:24:57 PM PST by snooker (Bush 2004 --- stay with the strong horse)
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To: OneTimeLurker

I use spy sweeper


15 posted on 10/31/2004 9:26:54 PM PST by tiki (Win one against the Flipper)
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To: Cacique

btt


16 posted on 10/31/2004 9:28:04 PM PST by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat)
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To: OneTimeLurker

I am a computer repair technician. I do this stuff all day long. Here is my advice. (Assuming you are running Windows XP).

1) Download and install Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Spy Sweeper. Update all 3 programs to the latest definitions.

2) Turn off System Restore.

3) Boot into Safe Mode.

4) Run a full system scan with all 3 of these programs.

5) Run the program "regedit" and delete any values from the Run key that look suspicious.

6) Open the Add/Remove Control Panel and remove any programs that look suspicious.

7) Reboot the computer back into normal mode.

8) Connect to the internet and download all updates from www.windowsupdate.com. After you download the updates, you'll have to reboot and keep going back to the site until no more updates are available. Especially important is to make sure that you get Service Pack 2.

9) Download and install Mozilla Firefox from www.mozilla.org.

Personally, I don't run Windows. I'm an avid linux users--I like to have control of my operating system.


17 posted on 10/31/2004 9:28:25 PM PST by sigarms
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To: quidnunc

We use Pest Patrol, works wonderfully.


18 posted on 10/31/2004 9:29:04 PM PST by AJS
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To: gdc61

Netscape 7.1 has a grat pop killer, and you still can get the ones on websites


19 posted on 10/31/2004 9:29:12 PM PST by Foolsgold
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To: All

Thanks for the good advice!


20 posted on 10/31/2004 9:30:30 PM PST by OneTimeLurker
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