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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Help with Spyware Removal
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Showing posts 26 - 50 of 62, (reverse)
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 05/06/2005 04:08:42 PM · #26
Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I'm trying to remove the spyware from a Windows XP Home Edition PC. I have run AdAware and Spybot multiple times. Each program finds and removes spyware. If I run the programs again, they both continue to find spyware. I can't seem to get it removed.

I have scanned for and removed all virii that were on the computer and AVG is no longer detecting any vifus issues, but the spyware will not go away. Any ideas?


Are you using Internet Explorer? If so, switch to a browser that does not allow programs to be installed without your knowledge. Many hijackers use weaknesses in IE to install themselves. Some such as coolwebsearch are nearly impossible to remove. I have seen some folks use hijack this successfully but it requires the use of technical forums for expert analysis of the logs it creates.
 05/06/2005 04:08:57 PM · #27
I had the same problem. I've got Panda as my anti-virus/Trojan, and Webroot's Spysweeper for spyware but last week I had something on there that wouldn't go away.

I got Spy Subtract by Intermute, ran it and it found what the others didn't and got rid of it first shot.

Nowadays you're never safe with just one program, its best to have a combination.
05/06/2005 04:11:39 PM · #28
If using IE you can disable the install options. This is under the advanced tab of Tools/Internet Options. Anything I'm not sure of I either have set to prompt or disable. Also, you can set up trusted sites for things like Active X. I know this doesn't resolve your current problem however could help prevent future occurrences.
 05/06/2005 04:22:08 PM · #29
This ones working the best for me but I have a few.

spywareblaster

Make sure you constantly run all their updates because with all the bastards out there constantly figuring out new methods and codes to beat your system, you'll always have to keep up.

There outta be a law!!!

Message edited by author 2005-05-06 16:22:54.
 05/06/2005 04:36:01 PM · #30
have you tried going to majorgeeks.com //www.majorgeeks.com? Alot of freeware and shareware in several categories, including "covert Operations" I use and change freeware from them often. Never had any problems (that I know of, anyway).
 05/06/2005 04:36:39 PM · #31
Any program that you allow to access the internet can become spyware. A firewall that tells you what is going out as well as what is coming in is essential. The Microsoft firewall that comes with XP does not do this. I use ZoneAlarms. I have tried the last few updated versions and then reverted to my earlier version.
05/06/2005 04:39:16 PM · #32
www.short-media.com

The kind folks at this site helped me get rid of malware/spyware that nobody/nothing else could. Will need to run HiJack this, and they can analyze the log for you. Follow their instructions, and you likely will have all your problems solved in a couple days - all free of charge.

At least it worked incredibly well for me (you can do a search at the short-media website for my username "Patents4u" and see my post and the help I received), and I've recommended it to at least one other DPC'er. Good luck.

Message edited by author 2005-05-06 16:42:18.
 05/06/2005 04:40:29 PM · #33
I think that a multi-tiered approach is your best shot. I use AdAware, PestPatrol, SpyHunter, AOL's Spyware, AND Microsoft's new app (in addition to Norton Anti-Virus & McAfee Anti-Virus). i know it sounds like a lot, but there are soo many things out there that you have to protect yourself from, that no one program is going to catch them all...

It sucks & it's time-consuming, but if it saves you from a nasty one, then it's worth every minute...
 05/06/2005 05:44:29 PM · #34
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
I use AdAware and Spybot and have had no issues.


I use same. Do you think a person really needs more if they run these two ----- and often?
 05/06/2005 05:50:43 PM · #35
Originally posted by justine:
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
I use AdAware and Spybot and have had no issues.


I use same. Do you think a person really needs more if they run these two ----- and often?


I'm no expert and am running these two on the advice of someone at work. They seem to complement each other. I have the auto update set and I run Netscape at home most of the time so don't usually run into any IE issues. However, in IE I do have things like unsigned code etc disabled or at least prompted and I prompt for all cookies. This can be a pain but it lets me control what gets saved on my machine.
 05/06/2005 05:52:47 PM · #36
Thanks.
I'm doing some reading on the MS ASware.

//malektips.com/microsoft_antispyware_0004.html
 05/06/2005 06:39:01 PM · #37
Haven't seen anyone advise to turn off System Restore before running any of these apps. If you don't do that, whatever the problem is will likely come right back.

Re: AdAware. It doesn't load on its own unless you are using the paid version. The freebie is a manually launched application, unless there's something I don't know about. Also, you should check for an updated version of AdAware. The file updater won't find/install it. You have to download it intentionally. It will uninstall the older version during install.
 05/06/2005 06:54:31 PM · #38
We normally run Adaware and Spybot at work, but lately we have been using MS AntiSpyware and I have been really impressed. I mean, who else knows better where to check for things that took advantage of holes in a Microsoft product?? ;-)


05/06/2005 09:21:35 PM · #39
the best way of all is to download a host file that contains all the spy/hacker sites... after you have the modified host file youll be suprised how nice life becomes again... you wont get any more pop ups from sites on the list... you can get more information here Modify your HOST file A trojan cant get to you via your browser and a popup cant popup if your computer wont allow it.. This is a down and dirty FREE alternative
 05/06/2005 09:58:17 PM · #40
Originally posted by gusto:
the best way of all is to download a host file that contains all the spy/hacker sites... after you have the modified host file youll be suprised how nice life becomes again... you wont get any more pop ups from sites on the list... you can get more information here Modify your HOST file A trojan cant get to you via your browser and a popup cant popup if your computer wont allow it.. This is a down and dirty FREE alternative


A tad bit barbaric and over time as the list grows name resolution would slow...but it would work.

There's a little more to trojans and pop-ups than modifying the hosts file...this will solve the redirect problem for the entered sites.
 05/06/2005 10:34:32 PM · #41
I had same issue with my parents's PC. After I cleaned everything spyware would come back few days later. I gave up and reinstalled windows. It was much cleaner and in some cense quicker way to fix the problem. I like to reinstall windows every year or so anyway.

Nick
 05/06/2005 10:48:40 PM · #42
That Microsoft spyware tool...is absolutely awesome! It's much more than a spyware tool. You can do so much with it -- you can track stuff on your computer I didn't even know existed including all the things that start up with Windows or even clear the histories of certain programs...I definately reccomend it...and it's free!
 05/07/2005 10:27:13 PM · #43
I have tried since the end of March to rid my computer of a spyware program from spotresults.com. I have used every program listed in this thread, plus some. The Microsoft program found a lot, and it is a good one (I started using their beta version back in March), but the one program that I found that worked the best was Spy Subtract. It found things even after Microsoft and all the others said my machine was clean.
gusto...the suggestion you gave about the hosts file...that actually did the trick for my spotresults.com problem. No more browser hijacks for their sites now! Thanks! :o)

edited to correct my incorrect credit... but thanks awpollard anyway because I'm going to try the add-in also!!!! :o)

Message edited by author 2005-05-07 23:04:00.
 05/07/2005 10:59:38 PM · #44
Originally posted by laurielblack:
I have tried since the end of March to rid my computer of a spyware program from spotresults.com. I have used every program listed in this thread, plus some. The Microsoft program found a lot, and it is a good one (I started using their beta version back in March), but the one program that I found that worked the best was Spy Subtract. It found things even after Microsoft and all the others said my machine was clean.

awpollard...the suggestion you gave about the hosts file...that actually did the trick for my spotresults.com problem. No more browser hijacks for their sites now! Thanks! :o)


Actually credit would go to Gusto as he mentioned the Hosts file thingy...Cool that it works for ya though.

My thoughts on it was it is crude way to mask the critters (One doesn't really get rid of the crud on your system just hacking their hack when redirecting using an entry in hosts file). Windows users almost every one of them don't even need a hosts or lmhosts to for name resolution, there just as a throw back to the unix days.

I did look up your hijacking and yes it is a good one... One of the VX2 variants, (assigns itself priveledges on your machine and takes some of yours away...even if you did delete the hosts file the hijacking would recreate it...)

There is an add-in for Ad-ware that will find and clean it...it's under the Add-ins link on there site. Most users don't install the add-in (bad idea as the add-in will find/try to clean the worst of them). Don't know if it will find it on yours or not but it might be a good idea to scan just to see if it comes up with anything creepy.

Another add-in they have for Ad-aware (same area) is the Windows Messenger Blocking...don't confuse this with MSN messenger or the likes... Windows Messenge is jobby that puts a pop up on the screen when a print job is complete or other network type messages, I could put pop-ups on my users machine at work using it. I would also install that add-in which blocks those messages...If you have ever got a pop-up out of the blue with some message like "your system might be infected" or the likes, you don't even have to have a browser open for these pop-ups to happen, someone is using Windows Messenger to open that little message.

Personally I disabled Windows Messenger many years ago, by going to Control Panel > Add/remove programs > add/remove Windows Components > and unchecking the last component (which is Windows Messenger)...this way actually uninstalls it from my system...The ad-aware plug in is a easy way to block it.

Sorry, long post but some good info to pass along...
 05/07/2005 11:16:16 PM · #45
I am no using the Microsoft Anti-Spyware tool on my PC and it works very well. I had a few friends who have had spyware issues and they have all used AdAware and Spybot with lack luster results.

What I do to remove spyware is update all the programs that I will use, AdAware, Spybot and Microsoft Anti-Spyware. I then go to a RUN command in Windows and type MSCONFIG. This will bring up the Configuration window for the OS. Go to the Startup folder and look for anything fishy first. If everything looks okay, that's good. I then uncheck all startup utilities in that window. After doing this you will be prompted to reboot the PC. After rebooting, unplug your internet connection. Run the utilities in the following order, Adaware, Spybot and MS Anti-Spyware. After that's done, reconnect your internet connection, reboot and run them again. If it doesn't find anything else, that's Great. I would also run a virus scan after this. Once completed, go back to the MSCONFIG window and enable your startup items.

I've done this a few times and have had good results. Hope this helps.
 05/08/2005 01:00:52 AM · #46
Originally posted by krazyivan:
I am no using the Microsoft Anti-Spyware tool on my PC and it works very well. I had a few friends who have had spyware issues and they have all used AdAware and Spybot with lack luster results.

What I do to remove spyware is update all the programs that I will use, AdAware, Spybot and Microsoft Anti-Spyware. I then go to a RUN command in Windows and type MSCONFIG. This will bring up the Configuration window for the OS. Go to the Startup folder and look for anything fishy first. If everything looks okay, that's good. I then uncheck all startup utilities in that window. After doing this you will be prompted to reboot the PC. After rebooting, unplug your internet connection. Run the utilities in the following order, Adaware, Spybot and MS Anti-Spyware. After that's done, reconnect your internet connection, reboot and run them again. If it doesn't find anything else, that's Great. I would also run a virus scan after this. Once completed, go back to the MSCONFIG window and enable your startup items.

I've done this a few times and have had good results. Hope this helps.


This sounds good and all but how the heck is the average user like me supposed to know what looks fishy or not? I've found that it takes some pretty serious research to find out exactly what each startup program really means. I've been fighting these issues too and I am sick of having to have the knowledge of a programmer to fight this crap. I am always amazed at how little discussion there is about catching these criminals. This is because the computers geniuses can figure ways of preventing this from happening on their computers so there is no incentive to actually stopping it at its source. All of these anti-spyware programs are necessary, unfortunately, but they are still just bandages to the real problem. The computer hackers/criminals only ever get slaps on the wrists, if they are discovered at all, and that has to change. In the meantime I will look into many of the great, and complicated, suggestions posted here.

T
 05/08/2005 01:09:59 AM · #47
Go with the Microsoft Anti-Spyware, it's easy and efficient to use. We have been using it also.
 05/08/2005 01:14:36 AM · #48
Originally posted by timj351:
Originally posted by krazyivan:
I am no using the Microsoft Anti-Spyware tool on my PC and it works very well. I had a few friends who have had spyware issues and they have all used AdAware and Spybot with lack luster results.

What I do to remove spyware is update all the programs that I will use, AdAware, Spybot and Microsoft Anti-Spyware. I then go to a RUN command in Windows and type MSCONFIG. This will bring up the Configuration window for the OS. Go to the Startup folder and look for anything fishy first. If everything looks okay, that's good. I then uncheck all startup utilities in that window. After doing this you will be prompted to reboot the PC. After rebooting, unplug your internet connection. Run the utilities in the following order, Adaware, Spybot and MS Anti-Spyware. After that's done, reconnect your internet connection, reboot and run them again. If it doesn't find anything else, that's Great. I would also run a virus scan after this. Once completed, go back to the MSCONFIG window and enable your startup items.

I've done this a few times and have had good results. Hope this helps.


This sounds good and all but how the heck is the average user like me supposed to know what looks fishy or not? I've found that it takes some pretty serious research to find out exactly what each startup program really means. I've been fighting these issues too and I am sick of having to have the knowledge of a programmer to fight this crap. I am always amazed at how little discussion there is about catching these criminals. This is because the computers geniuses can figure ways of preventing this from happening on their computers so there is no incentive to actually stopping it at its source. All of these anti-spyware programs are necessary, unfortunately, but they are still just bandages to the real problem. The computer hackers/criminals only ever get slaps on the wrists, if they are discovered at all, and that has to change. In the meantime I will look into many of the great, and complicated, suggestions posted here.

T


Before you ever log your computer to the internet the first time do the msconfig and make notes of everything that is starting on start up. Then later you delete anything that isn't on that list. You may need to update your list if you add hardware. You can also selective start up "Hide all but MS files">disable all And if that fixes your problem then you know there is something starting you dont want. Go threw them one at a time till you figure it out. I'm no expert but everything I have learned was while beating my head on my desk.

Tim
 05/08/2005 01:31:03 AM · #49
let me share a resource another DPC member gave me some time ago.

Short Media

get registered on the site, its free, then visit this section on the site

SVT section

read the forum rules and obey them, download the tools (hijack this), post a log and let them tell you what you need to do to clean your PC.

also I recommend getting the "spyware shooter reg" file but ONLY from this site that I gave the link to. There are some evil copies out there if you do a google search for the spyware shooter.
It works sorta like a HOSTS file, but a little better.

James
 05/08/2005 01:46:52 AM · #50
If you do not use your PC for gaming then might i suggest running windows server 2003 the security is the best for a windows OS i found.

Most spyware hunters are pretty useless because the idiots that make these spy codes and TH viruses etc are just too far ahead really and always will be, it must be a nightmare for the software companies to get a grip on it all, When i used a Windows system i found server 2003 to be the most stable and secure but finding drivers for high end gaming devices was tough, not impossible just tough. I have since solved my virus/spyware problems for now at least...

I GOT A MAC.

Im sure its only a matter of time now that MACs have dropped in price to try and break into a new market that we will see viruses and spy programs running riot within the MAC system too but for now it is certainly the safest option on the plannet.
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