Posted on 03/02/2008 7:15:35 PM PST by no nau
My computer is infested with this crap and I can't get rid of it. None of the free services can solve the problem, and I might even pay for such a service, except that all of them seem to be just folks willingly to take advantage of you and charge you more money, and possibly infect you more. Has anyone here seen this? How should I and anyone else deal with this?
Bump for later use
I use 1) AdAware Free; 2) Spybot Free; and 3) a-squared Free for my anti spyware. They work pretty well as long as I don’t go to untrusted sites (porn, Russian music downloads, TV video repeater sites, etc.) My anti-virus is one my wife is required to use at work, but I used to use AVG, and every now and then, I would delete it and do the free trial with Kaspersky for a couple of weeks. I also get free trojan scans from my online brokerage.
“HOWEVER....Ubuntu DOES have the same “try before you buy feature”. I’ve had people tell me that Knoppix is a little less intimidating though.
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So far I hate Ubuntu. You can’t log in as root and the file manager won’t let you do anything useful. You can’t even create a directory.
If I wanted to run command line, I’d still be using DOS 6.3.
Many good suggestions....Crap Cleaner, Ad Aware and Spy-bot Search and Destroy...all good free tools we all should have. Firefox 2 for a web browser or maybe Opera. AV software... Bit Defender...works very well, not clunky like McAfee or Norton were on my system and only $30. AVG is good for free software if you aren’t doing too much on the web. Also Zone Alarm firewall....current version has a spyware blocker.
I also have used Macs for 21 years with no malware problems, until ten days ago. Our church computer is a Mac G3 running OS 9.1. Our church secretary clicked on a link in an email and the computer froze. After several days of work, I got into the hard disc with Norton Utilities and found the boot track filled with zeros (FF). The hard disc is not useable and the data is not recoverable. We replaced the entire computer yesterday. I thought Mac OS 9.1 was bulletproof, but it isn’t bulletproof and the bullet is lethal.
LMAO!
Someone already mentioned Nod32, by ESET.com I bought it and ditched Symantec and Norton. My computer is so much faster and I haven’t had any issues with the new programme. I use Firefox and haven’t used IE for years. This computer is using Vista and I like the accelerated speed now that the other 2 programmes are gone.
Someone already mentioned Nod32, by ESET.com I bought it and ditched Symantec and Norton. My computer is so much faster and I haven’t had any issues with the new programme. I use Firefox and haven’t used IE for years. This computer is using Vista and I like the accelerated speed now that the other 2 programmes are gone.
Don’t download anything free, it’s all adware/spyware. Norton has freezing/capatibility troubles. Download the 90-day free trial of Windows Live One Care, this is Microsoft’s own virus protection, it’s continually updated, and has no compatibility issues. It’s easy to use too. I’ve been using it since it came out, and I’ve never had a problem. It will examine your computer and remove anything hostile. You can purchase it when the trial is up, as it’s cheaper than most decent programs out there:
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-us/default.htm
I might try that if Steve Jobs wasn’t so full of himself.
You’ve got something set up wrong if you can’t create a directory using Nautilus. ...unless you are trying to create a directory outside your home directory.
If you want to mess around outside the home directory, just type “sudo nautilus” in a terminal window. Then you can use the file manager to gut /usr/bin or any other directory you want.
Then try to get rid of Trend Micro/Norton software. It’s impossible. It’s worse than free AOL on a new machine.
LOL I can’t wait to get a mac
“If you want to mess around outside the home directory, just type “sudo nautilus” in a terminal window. Then you can use the file manager to gut /usr/bin or any other directory you want.”
My point exactly. I am root and have the root password. I shouldn’t have to go to the terminal to manage files. I wanted to install a printer driver file and had to go to terminal. That’s ridiculous.
Reformat? Agreed. It’s the best solution.
After I reformatted I bought a good computer cleaner from Webroot.com (Window Washer). Every time I shut down I use it’s feature, which removes all the tracks and cookies. I’ve had no problems since.
“In that time, I have NEVER had a virus infection.
I’ve NEVER had a spyware infestation.
I’ve NEVER encountered a Trojan.
What is “adware”? NEVER seen any of it on my computers at home.
I visit wherever I want, download freely, open attachments freely - no worries here.
I run NO virus protection on my home computers - NOTHING. There’s simply no need for it.”
Ditto here! These threads are very entertaining though.
bump
The only way to get away from spyware and a host of other crap is to switch to MAC.”
He wants to get away from the crap and you’re feeding him more.
I use Spybot, Adaware and Zone Alarm’s spyware removers. I also have Spyware Blaster which sort of works in background. Spybot, Ad Aware and Spyware Blaster are free for personal use. I keep them up to date and run them at least once a week. My anti-virus also looks for the stuff (BitDefender). Every so often I use the Anti-virus that my ISP provides (Trend Micro Housecall) which is also available at their website for free. Finally about every 4 months or so I run The Cleaner (free for personal use) to look for trojans and stuff the others have missed. They all pick up different things that the others miss. Ad Aware seems to work the best as a single line of defense.
If you are really infested after you’ve run them in the normal mode reboot your system in Safe Mode and run them again. They sometimes will find more stuff.
None of this will keep it totally off your system but it does keep it to a minimum.
You should also create an account without administrator privileges which is your normal account. Password protect the administrator account (don’t forget it or your in deep trouble). Then only operate from the new account. It will have a better chance of keeping nasty things from being installed
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