Adware-infected PCs net slimeware firms $3 a pop

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/02/02/adware_market_estimate/ ^ | 2nd February 2005 | John Leyden

[holymoly]

Also, in Spybot, use the innoculate function and add Spyblaster also.

I wouldn't using both, since they perform essentially the same function; adding "killbits" to the registry to prevent installation of ActiveX spyware, and adding known-malicious sites to IEs restricted zone.

[beaver fever]

"An even more compelling idea is the potential for joint ventures between purveyors of and slayers of slimeware."

I have suspected that for a couple of years now.

It's no coincidence that the explosion of spyware, maleware and antivirus ware exploded after the dot bomb collapse.

It's like a tow-truck driver slashing your tires and waiting for you to return so he can charge a tow fee to take you to his garage where he sells you a new set of over priced tires.

[holymoly]

thank you very much ... i really appreciate your help ...

You're welcome.

As you see, some of this stuff can be incredibly difficult to remove, and often requires expert help. ("CoolWebSearch" is notorious in this regard.)

i'll let you know what happens

Good. :)

[F105-D ThunderChief]

What idiots buy this crap in the first place? I have been on-line since Al Gore invented the Internet, and I have not purchased one item from a pop-up or other intrusive advertising banner. Of course, I never see them since I have ad-blooking and cookie disabling software!

[antiRepublicrat]

That's a hosts file.... I don't think so but ...

The IE solution is a hosts file, but you have to edit manually, specifying domains to block. I believe there are pre-made hosts files available for download like with Adblock.

One advantage of Adblock is that it uses regular expressions to block ads in addition to just listing domains. This is why that list I linked to can kill 99% of popups even though there are only 111 entries. I think the 26 lines of regex entries kills more ads than the 85 domains listed.

[F105-D ThunderChief]

If you have IE. Download GuardIE from Guardwall.com!

[highlandbreeze]

I am, at this moment, learning(trying, at least) to fix the problem. Thanks though.

[wattsmag2]

protowall blocks the reporting, even if infected. But, you gotta take a lot of time to open up those areas you wish to communicate with.

[antiRepublicrat]

Make that "can kill 99% of ads." Firefox itself already kills popups.

[holymoly]

I run X-cleaner and it "removes" the same programs every time, but the next time I turn on my computer X-cleaner finds the same programs it "removed" again. I was told that they were installed on my harddrive. Do you have any ideas to help me?

Do you know what they are (name)?

I've never heard of "X-cleaner". The ant-spyware programs I see recommended most often are "Ad-Aware SE" and "Spybot - Search and Destroy". Both are free, so you've nothing to lose by trying them. :)

[holymoly]

add Spyblaster also.

Oops. I thought he mentioned SpywareBlaster. My mistake.

[processing please hold]

That's it!!! I'm complaining to God when I see him, how mean some people are for putting spyware crap on innocent, sweet, demure, generous and kind housewives computers. If he should point the culprits out to me...I would show them what an infected computer could really do.

Just damn.

[MHGinTN]

Kool! Thanks for the link ... BTW, is there somewhere one could go to see a pic of Kim K? I listen to her pretty regularly and would like to put a face with the suave voice.

[Corin Stormhands]

What version of Ad Aware do you have?

If you don't have Ad Aware SE (or whatever the most current is), try this.

1) Uninstall what you have. The slimeware companies figured out how to bypass the old Ad Aware.

2) Download the most current version of Ad Aware and run that.

When I did this, I went from picking up about 30 entries daily to over 1,000 my first time with the newer version.

[holymoly]

Do a Google image search for "Kim Kommando"

[Musket]

I'm making extra money from my refinanced home on my personal computer and have a bigger penis right now.

LOL. Such are the advantages of using Windows.

[AndrewB]

I can't get it off and my husband is gone...

Hmmm...getting in touch with my inner dirty old man over here...

[the invisib1e hand]

It's like a tow-truck driver slashing your tires and waiting for you to return so he can charge a tow fee to take you to his garage where he sells you a new set of over priced tires.

would he be doing you a favor if the tires were underpriced?

[gogeo]

Microsoft has a beta version of what they call "Microsoft anti-spyware" that can be downloaded for free at Windows Update.