Spyware

[ice_it_06]

Out of no where started getting all sorts of spyware warnings.

PC running slow and can't restore.

Running XP home and use Mozzilla Firefox. Norton 360 current full scan and all Windows updates.

Got some mystery "tool bar" showing up and constant warnings and dowloads for spyware/antivirus ? Also get short cut icons popping up on my desk top to all these malware offerings ?

WINDOWS WARNING says to run a full scan. (done so three times)

Rebooted half dozen times and tried (restore) three times.

Any help appreciated

[maddowg1192000]

i would recommend get lavasoft ad-aware. it is a free program and should find more than norton did. if that doesn't work i have a few more things you can try.

[JigginIsLife]

also last resort is the restore disk that you should have gotten from the company that you purchased the computer from ie-best buy made me mine, and it will restore the settings from right when you took it out of the store. And very last resort is (i dont know if you are a college age kid or adult) but if you go to college they have techs on campus that will normally deal with this stuff (free of charge), or else a repair place will work. I know that Gateway also has the service of share screen technology (pretty common now so most probably have it) but they can also get access to your computer and see the exact problems as they occur. If you Have a dell throw it away and get something different...sorry only my opinion.

[MrBaz]

Sometimes, sites and programs find their way onto my computer, I usually check my add/remove programs from time to time to check if something unusual is in there,that might be were the tool bars are coming from. I would also recommend ad-ware, I use it on my computer and it keeps it running great.

[tbuss]

Get a MAC

[jholland]

AdAware by Lavasoft and Spybot Search and Destroy are two great programs for spyware removal. I work subcontract for an IT company and the extent of spyware removal off of PCs we get is usually running these two programs a couple times, maybe an antivirus scan as well.

[UPnorthFISHING]

try this it helped me i had the same problem....

http://www.precisesecurity.com/adware-spy/aw-tswm.htm

[Sandmannd]

I agree with JHolland, those are two great programs. If they don't work, I would wipe the system and start from scratch.

[fivebucks]

Webroot spy sweeper is another good spyware program. You have to pay for it but it is good.

[toughguy]

Spybot is my fav

[Schloogs]

I like the lavasoft ad-aware, it has always worked for me.

[BobT]

If you are confident with registry files you can also search for Hijack This and try their software. Be careful though because this software checks registry files and if you delete the wrong ones you can render your system useless. I picked up some spyware years ago that redirected my home page and tried auto-dialing, etc. Using the tutorial found on their HSOforum helped me through it and I was able to clean the system.

Bob

[ice_it_06]

Well I've tried them all and it continues to be all mucked up.

Constant "home page changes" being made and the "tool bar mystery" as well.

Adware catches the change but does not stop it.

Cleaned up 186 issues initially but still got the warnings from SYSTEM DEFENDER and then their icons popping up on my desktop.

I cant get their program to down load though.

Ran ad aware twice and the spyware site which reported 500 issues with ad aware being on the list countless times. Maybe I'll give spy bot a shot.

Not PC gifted so I have no clue what the deal is but I'm obviously not "clean" as ad aware says I am and my Norton.

Very discouraged, have no clue how this happened.

**I filed a citibank credit application for Warner Stellian the night before all this happened. Any possible connection ?

Have never had a problem with my XP and addition of Firefox as recommended from member Hanson a few months back.

[FishinChad]

I agree, spybot search and destroy is great for removing spyware. Going through your programs in the Add/remove programs control panel is a good idea, just make sure you dont remove anything that looks like it could be system programs that you need.

[Sonicrunch]

Once you have your computer cleaned, get a router. The router's firewall will put an end to spyware.

I got a wireless D-Link for 25 bucks. Now all three of my computers are spyware and virus free.

Also use AVG antivirus. It is free, and it does not slow down your computer.

[Sonicrunch]

 Originally Posted By: ice_it_06

Well I've tried them all and it continues to be all mucked up.

Constant "home page changes" being made and the "tool bar mystery" as well.

Adware catches the change but does not stop it.

Cleaned up 186 issues initially but still got the warnings from SYSTEM DEFENDER and then their icons popping up on my desktop.

I cant get their program to down load though.

Ran ad aware twice and the spyware site which reported 500 issues with ad aware being on the list countless times. Maybe I'll give spy bot a shot.

Not PC gifted so I have no clue what the deal is but I'm obviously not "clean" as ad aware says I am and my Norton.

Very discouraged, have no clue how this happened.

**I filed a citibank credit application for Warner Stellian the night before all this happened. Any possible connection ?

Have never had a problem with my XP and addition of Firefox as recommended from member Hanson a few months back.

Persistence pays. Just keep at it and you will get it.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I've found it to be a losing battle. I ended up backing up all my docs, photos, and music a few months ago and wiped that sucker clean! Not too much of a hassle, and my computer performs sooooo much faster now.

[lotsofish]

 Originally Posted By: Sonicrunch

Once you have your computer cleaned, get a router. The router's firewall will put an end to spyware.

I got a wireless D-Link for 25 bucks. Now all three of my computers are spyware and virus free.

Also use AVG antivirus. It is free, and it does not slow down your computer.

Sorry but a router or a firewall won't stop spyware. Spyware is usually installed unknowingly by the user. A firewall can't stop this. There are security holes and stuff, but as a general rule, a "hacker" can't just enter into any computer they want to install any software they feel like. Usually malware/spyware comes in the form of additional software gets installed when you install something else, by disguising itself as a legitimate program or have you ever visited a HSOforum that says "This HSOforum needs to install and run ... to work properly." That can sometimes be malware depending on what site you are visiting.

AVG is ok and so is Avast!. Both are free virus scanning programs.

--

Filing a credit application would have absolutely nothing to do with spyware getting on your computer.

The SYSTEM DEFENDER software you are trying to run is actually the spyware/malware/virus. They "infect" your system and tell you that you have to buy their program to remove some "viruses" that are installed. After you pay, it usually still remains and they have your money. This program is usually installed after you get a popup window from a HSOforum that says your computer is infected and to take action. After you click on the popup it tells you to download and install a program, which in fact is the bad program.

Here's what to do. Reboot your computer and before you see the Windows screen keep tapping F8. This will load a menu. Choose Safe Mode with Networking. Safe mode will load Windows on it's minimal settings and not load any other programs when it boots. After Windows starts, run both AdAware and SpyBot Seek and destroy. It should now remove the program from your computer. You might want to run a full virus sweep with Norton while you are in safe mode too.

Next time you see a popup box that says you are infected, just ignore it. You can always tell when it's a popup because it will say "Internet Explorer" (or whatever browser you are using) in the title bar.

--

This should probably be in the Equipment Expert forum.

[3pronghook]

I think you're computer got a worm. My wifes' computer had the same thing happen last week. She spent almost 10 hours removing and she knows computers. She found a HSOforum that was helped her out. This worm was released 4/9/08. Does that date coincide with your problems? If I can find out where she got her info to fix it I will post it.

[munchy71]

 Originally Posted By: lotsofish

 Originally Posted By: Sonicrunch

Once you have your computer cleaned, get a router. The router's firewall will put an end to spyware.

I got a wireless D-Link for 25 bucks. Now all three of my computers are spyware and virus free.

Also use AVG antivirus. It is free, and it does not slow down your computer.

Sorry but a router or a firewall won't stop spyware. Spyware is usually installed unknowingly by the user. A firewall can't stop this. There are security holes and stuff, but as a general rule, a "hacker" can't just enter into any computer they want to install any software they feel like. Usually malware/spyware comes in the form of additional software gets installed when you install something else, by disguising itself as a legitimate program or have you ever visited a HSOforum that says "This HSOforum needs to install and run ... to work properly." That can sometimes be malware depending on what site you are visiting.

AVG is ok and so is Avast!. Both are free virus scanning programs.

--

Filing a credit application would have absolutely nothing to do with spyware getting on your computer.

The SYSTEM DEFENDER software you are trying to run is actually the spyware/malware/virus. They "infect" your system and tell you that you have to buy their program to remove some "viruses" that are installed. After you pay, it usually still remains and they have your money. This program is usually installed after you get a popup window from a HSOforum that says your computer is infected and to take action. After you click on the popup it tells you to download and install a program, which in fact is the bad program.

Here's what to do. Reboot your computer and before you see the Windows screen keep tapping F8. This will load a menu. Choose Safe Mode with Networking. Safe mode will load Windows on it's minimal settings and not load any other programs when it boots. After Windows starts, run both AdAware and SpyBot Seek and destroy. It should now remove the program from your computer. You might want to run a full virus sweep with Norton while you are in safe mode too.

Next time you see a popup box that says you are infected, just ignore it. You can always tell when it's a popup because it will say "Internet Explorer" (or whatever browser you are using) in the title bar.

--

This should probably be in the Equipment Expert forum.

Lotso' hit the nail right on the head. And he's right on EVERY point. I just spent 2 days getting the same type of thing off of my computer. For some of the stubborn adware/malware you may actually have to go in and manually "unregister" some of the offending entries. I found a HSOforum that walked me thru it step-by-step, but forum policy restricts me from giving you the link or even mentioning the web site's name.

-Munchy

[Sandmannd]

lotsofish pretty much nailed. Do that and it should go away.

[Capt.Blaine]

I had the same issues. I downloaded Windows Defender from microsoft and it cleaned everything up.

[rooney5150]

 Originally Posted By: tbuss

Get a MAC

Exactly!.... And stay away from the pr0n.

[ice_it_06]

Still in same situation after countless runs of adaware and spybot along with virus runs of Norton, AVG and AVAST.

Noticed casino tracking and adult related things during all these 45 minute scans. Think I know who's behind my troubles

Only one gambler in the family, the other I divorced. (lol)

Home page, tool bar, and DEFENDER keep popping up or are being changed.

I got "registry" start up issues according to the reports/scans.

Get info notices that Windows cant find drivers or programs, but then the site pops up.

In "safe mode" until I can figure out how to reverse these registry issues that spybot shows. I've accepted and denied so I'm not sure what the deal is.

Cant seem to get in to the registry or know what I'd be looking for if I did.

[sptitz]

You can "restore" to a date before you had trouble by going to the "Start" menu, then "All Programs" then "Accessories" then "System Tools" then "System Restore". Select "Restore My Computer To An Earlier Time" and choose a date from before you starting having trouble. I have had this work before. I have also had to format the hard drive before so good luck!