Thread: spyware ARGGGG!

spybot search & destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

make sure you get the latest updates
and use the immunize feature (blocks known nasty's before they have a chance to run)

Microsoft Spyware / Virus checks are worse than the viruses and spyware themselves. Same with Norton.

Ynot's suggestion is good, I also recommend Ad-Aware.

You now what because I'm such a nice guy and I like you and I see that your in need and I have some to give. I'll let you have a break. I just got a spyware/antivirus software to protect my PC. And it can protect one more PC with the lisence key that I have. So If you want I can PM you the license key and you just download the software off the website and use the key to unlock it to use on your computer. What do ya say. To good to be true? Free and simple.

Use a couple different Spyware Programs actually. I usually find that after running one, if I run the other, it will catch different peices of spyware that one missed, and vice versa. So I would run both Ad-Aware, and Spybot just to be safe. Neither take too long, so you should be able to run them both rather quickly.

I've actually had fantastic luck with Microsponge's Defender, now that it is out of beta. It is uniquely able to deal with stuff in the backup and recovery files. I figure I'm paying for it, so why not?

I use it in conjunction with Grisoft's AVG and Zone Alarm firewall - I do NOT trust Microsponge's firewall. Perhaps that subtle point is why I get good results from Defender.

Worst case, Ranma - download and run Hijack This, then post the results to their forum for further instructions.

Yeah I kick Zone Alarm also in conjunction with AVG and Spybot for removal. I also run Counterspy because just IMO it's detects more spyware/adware than AVG and Spybot.

I also recommend spybot (remember to use the immunize function) and ad-aware. Another great program is spyware blaster:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

It isn't a scanner, but actually protects your system against certain spyware and sites preventing you from getting it in the first place. The current version has well over 9000 protections. Remember to update it and enable all protections every now and again.

One of my favourite tools is autoruns:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb963902.aspx

It shows you everything that starts when your system first loads and allows you to disable them from starting up, if you know what you're doing it can be really powerful... Just be careful not to disable anything your system needs to work. A tip is to look for things that arn't published by microsoft or other known companies.. then do research on those programs, a quick search on google should tell you if its a legit process or not.

thanks guys I have AVG and spybot. so far it seems to have killed the majority of the problems My internet is running fast again. And I get no errors when browsing parts of my computer. The only thing is one of the viruses fucked up windows media player. so now i gotta re install it.

as a side note:

Prevention is always better than remedy

Operating System
At the risk of harping on about Linux, and losing your interest

at least consider it (I know it's easier for some, and not others to switch)

It's inherently more secure
there's no viruses
and no malware (well, almost none)

if not feasible, read on....


Browsers
don't use Internet Explorer

IE is so entrenched into windows's inner workings, that if anyone compromises IE (rogue activeX, java, flash, vbscript, and many more) it's possible to commandeer your whole system

use a different browser (Firefox / Opera / etc.)
Firefox offers many plugins to add extra security, as well
- noscript (blocks any and all scripts from running, unless you expressly let them run)
- flashblock (blocks all flash, unless expressly allowed)


Rootkits
Rootkits are programs that lurk in the kernel of an OS, and alter how userland applications "see" the OS

Usually taking the form of altered device drivers, they sit in a privileged location and hide things from the OS and other programs

There's various rootkit detectors out there
some are native windows apps
some are specialist linux Live CD's

Sysinternals (since bought by MS) produce a rootkit scanner
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb897445.aspx


can't think of anything else at the moment....

Another tip is to create a limited account and use that instead of an admin account. Anytime you need to install new software log on to the admin account to install it and then log back out after. Using a limited account should protect you from most spyware as that account won't be able to install software etc.