Adware, spyware -- How to stop this crap

vanity

[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?

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

We have lots of computers here. The spyware seems to have evolved beyond the Windows 98 system, it never has problems and it’s 10 years old.
A Mac is a good thing too. :)

[hosepipe]

Dowmload SpyBOT Search... its FREE..

[txroadkill]

Try “Hi-jack this” and “CCleaner” and “Spybot-search and Destroy”

[armymarinemom]

This is going to attract some wise comments. What AV do you use?

[golfisnr1]

I use Stop Sign. Really good at adware.

[mysterio]

Here’s what I do : I run Adaware weekly, I run Avira antivirus, and I use Windows Defender. All free. Generally, Defender shuts the adware down quickly, and Avira finds what Defender doesn’t get.

[Carling]

If it is Spyaxe I had someone here help me solve the problem.

They directed me to a free site and it took about 4 hours to get things cleaned up.

[mtbopfuyn]

We use Ad Aware and Spy Bot. What one doesn’t take care of, the other does.

[Incorrigible]

Pay for something. Those ads for software to check you computer for “free” are just adware that you willingly accepted.

[hiredhand]

[Reagan80]

Trend Micro Housecall. It’s free - it takes about 3 hours to run - and snags about everything. Google Trend Micro Housecall; you may have to allow installation of several Active X controls.

Reagan80

[Rb ver. 2.0]

Two suggestions, ditch internet exploder and stay away from pron sites.

[navyguy]

I think Ad-Aware will probably help alot, and I believe its free. In fact, I just checked and it is...

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

[The Mayor]

AdAware, Spybot and http://www.trendmicro.com for an excellent online scan.

[roamer_1]

I use Stop Sign. Really good at adware.

Stop Sign IS spyware.

[golfisnr1]

Stop Sign:

http://www.stop-sign.com/installed/se131b.php?pg=ss_di001%26index%26IA2&isp=aol&ver=online&n=o_ss_aol_com_instl&uid=f0ca754e3f0ba5bc93e0af884244faca&bit_mask=0&bit_sample=1540332397

[Xenophon450]

Spybot Search and Destroy? AdAware? Using these in conjuncture will alleviate some malady’s caused by the spyware, such as those troublesome tool bars. To eradicate all of it? I am at a loss, although some other FReepers may know. Are you using Internet Exploder? If so, Firefox can help.

[TWohlford]

1. Load the cleaning programs, drop down to Safe Mode, and run the utilities there. Don’t forget to check for a rootkit.

2. Pull the hard drive, and put it into a “clean” computer as a second HD, and scan it that way.

3. Reformat, reload. That’s what us IT people do here at work.

4. Buy a Mac. Or, load your PC with Linux.

[Maneesh]

The only way to get away from spyware and a host of other crap is to switch to MAC. It is the best move you will ever make and save hrs per week in the struggle with Microsoft that you undertake right now.