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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Help with Spyware Removal
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 05/06/2005 02:06:30 PM · #1
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?
 05/06/2005 02:09:44 PM · #2
here is a shot in the dark, but how about Yahoo!'s spyware removal. It's free and up to date. I'm not sure how to compare it to the programs you already ran, but it is an idea.
 05/06/2005 02:13:24 PM · #3
AdAware is NOT what it used to be.

Microsoft has a whole issue about it and has actually become Spyware. My neighbor just went through tech support with Microsoft to remove get rid of it's auto-loading problems. May want to poke around on Microsoft's site for more info on the problem. AdAware cannot be simply uninstalled.

Microsoft now has Microsoft AntiSpyware Version: 1.0.509 out and seems to be doing great.

There are also a number of others out:
Adware/Spyware Detection

Message edited by author 2005-05-06 14:20:50.
 05/06/2005 02:15:30 PM · #4
so your saying i shouldnt use ADAware? thats what HP told me to use two months ago..Whats wrong with it?

Originally posted by BradP:
AdAware is NOT what it used to be.

Microsoft has a whole issue about it and has actually become Spyware.

Microsoft now has Microsoft AntiSpyware Version: 1.0.509 out and seems to be doing great.

05/06/2005 02:16:24 PM · #5
Microsoft's AntiSpyware worked wonders for my computer. go figure, they actually did something right.
 05/06/2005 02:17:18 PM · #6
I downloaded the Microsoft solution that BradP mentions several weeks ago when it was in beta. I've been spyware free ever since.

05/06/2005 02:19:18 PM · #7
Originally posted by queanbeez:
so your saying i shouldnt use ADAware? thats what HP told me to use two months ago..Whats wrong with it?

At one time is was great. Personally I think they were losing their butt supporting it and being the #1 free program, were "bought out" and are subsidizing their program by actually being a Spybot to sell browsing habits to companies. It obviously won't detect itself.
 05/06/2005 02:20:18 PM · #8
Originally posted by queanbeez:
so your saying i shouldnt use ADAware? thats what HP told me to use two months ago..Whats wrong with it?


I don't think there's is anything 'wrong' with it. There are just better things out there now.

I take that back. Obviously there is something wrong with it.

Message edited by author 2005-05-06 14:21:47.
 05/06/2005 02:26:12 PM · #9
HijackThis (which doesn't sound like a program you'd actually want to run) is a pretty powerful adware/spyware removal tool although you'll need to read through the instructions as it's not quite as user friendly as programs like AdAware.
 05/06/2005 02:31:39 PM · #10
You probably got hit with a trojan horse.

First, do a file search for "zserv" and "btgrab". If you have files with either of these names you will need to start your computer in safe mode and remove all files with those names. You won't be able to delete them without going onto safe mode and if you do not do this, anything else you do is useless.

Then, download a program called "Hijack this" and run it, select to fix all line items that say shop, search, ad, or just look fishy. Don't delete everything becuase a lot the lines are stuff you probably want. PM me if you have any questions on what to delete. DO NOT RESTART YOU COMPUTER AFTER THIS.

Then... go into add/remove programs and remove all the programs in there that you did not add and do not look familier. Most will have names with the words shop and search in them. Be careful because they will word their uninstall questions tricky with double negatives to confuse you and make you actually keep the program.

Again before re-booting, run adaware and spybot one more time. and if you may even want to run your virus scan.

Note that if you do not remove the main parts, it will re-install itself when you re-boot. So after doing the safe mode part, don't re-boot until you think you found everything. Otherwise you will need to start all over again.

PS check your bookmarks, they probably added some.
 05/06/2005 02:34:54 PM · #11
so what is a good one to use because i have found that it doesnt work that great, but i just figured it was free so you get what you DON'T pay for.
 05/06/2005 02:38:47 PM · #12
I had a some problems removing some also from IE. I had to upload firefox to updated ad-aware, spybot, and avast antivirus and was able to clear away the problems.

Seems like the virus,hijackers,etc will make it so you can't upload new definitions to get rid of them.

After you're done you can keep firefox or revert back to IE.
 05/06/2005 02:38:54 PM · #13
Try Spybot Search & Destroy - Free.

Link To Website

I used to run AdAware & Spybot one after another to pick up what the other one missed.

You might also try Regscrub XP to catch any Registry Problems

Link to Website

Message edited by author 2005-05-06 14:42:22.
 05/06/2005 02:41:05 PM · #14
try this link as well.
05/06/2005 02:45:12 PM · #15
I run PestPatrol, Spybot. I have just downloaded the Microsoft Spyware programme and it found stuff in the registry that PestPatrol & Spybot missed.

Thanks for the heads up Brad

Mike


05/06/2005 02:47:00 PM · #16
I use Spy Sweeper by Webroot and have no more troubles. Go here:

Webroot
 05/06/2005 02:58:39 PM · #17
Originally posted by BradP:
AdAware is NOT what it used to be.

Microsoft has a whole issue about it and has actually become Spyware. My neighbor just went through tech support with Microsoft to remove get rid of it's auto-loading problems. May want to poke around on Microsoft's site for more info on the problem. AdAware cannot be simply uninstalled.


I can't find any information on the Microsoft website to support this (in fact, most of what I found was links in their articles suggesting the use of Adaware). A cursory search of google returns some forum posts about problems AdAware has working in conjunction with other removal. If you have more specific information about this, I'd be interested in reading it.
 05/06/2005 03:10:27 PM · #18
I second mk's thoughts. I've used AdAware for quite some time without any issues. A short Google session did not turn up any hits that would suggest that AdAware has "gone over to the dark side."
 05/06/2005 03:11:56 PM · #19
I use AdAware and Spybot and have had no issues.
 05/06/2005 03:38:19 PM · #20
John, isn't it possible that the two programs you're running are detecting each other? SpyBot actually keeps the spyware in a safe folder, so that you can restore them if you deleted one on mistake. My antivir program detects those "backups" and marks them as viruses. Maybe that's what happens in your case?
 05/06/2005 03:39:43 PM · #21
As soon as I hear back from my neighbor, I will post what I found out.
He was having fits with his XP Home system, and after getting with Microsoft via phone support, it's been resolved. It had to do with AdAware and and had to go through the registry to prevent it from reloading every boot, even though it was removed.
Something like that anyway. The fix was removing AdAware, and as I remember him saying, it was a known problem. I think he still has a link to the page that describes the probelm and how to resolve it.

Message edited by author 2005-05-06 15:40:08.
 05/06/2005 03:44:41 PM · #22
If there's ever been a better advertisement for for the Mac OS, I've not see it.

Beyond belief what some Windows users have to suffer.

Originally posted by louddog:
You probably got hit with a trojan horse.

First, do a file search for "zserv" and "btgrab". If you have files with either of these names you will need to start your computer in safe mode and remove all files with those names. You won't be able to delete them without going onto safe mode and if you do not do this, anything else you do is useless.

Then, download a program called "Hijack this" and run it, select to fix all line items that say shop, search, ad, or just look fishy. Don't delete everything becuase a lot the lines are stuff you probably want. PM me if you have any questions on what to delete. DO NOT RESTART YOU COMPUTER AFTER THIS.

Then... go into add/remove programs and remove all the programs in there that you did not add and do not look familier. Most will have names with the words shop and search in them. Be careful because they will word their uninstall questions tricky with double negatives to confuse you and make you actually keep the program.

Again before re-booting, run adaware and spybot one more time. and if you may even want to run your virus scan.

Note that if you do not remove the main parts, it will re-install itself when you re-boot. So after doing the safe mode part, don't re-boot until you think you found everything. Otherwise you will need to start all over again.

PS check your bookmarks, they probably added some.
05/06/2005 03:50:37 PM · #23
Also... it may help if you get offline while running any ad/spyware programs... If you're online when you clean your system, some spyware is designed to redownload itself if you happen to be online.
 05/06/2005 03:58:31 PM · #24
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?


I use a combination of AdAware and SpySweeper at home and at work... I set them up to run automatically and to update definitions. As long as you are on internet you will get spyware on your computer. At work I have firewall, iprism plut other things and it will find cookies and stuff all the time. With the newest SpySweeper it blocks as well as cleans so I mostly get cookies identified now...
I would give it a try if I was you.

Webroot SpySweeper V. 3.0 //www.webroot.com
 05/06/2005 04:02:07 PM · #25
Originally posted by Brock:
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?


I use a combination of AdAware and SpySweeper at home and at work... I set them up to run automatically and to update definitions. As long as you are on internet you will get spyware on your computer. At work I have firewall, iprism plut other things and it will find cookies and stuff all the time. With the newest SpySweeper it blocks as well as cleans so I mostly get cookies identified now...
I would give it a try if I was you.

Webroot SpySweeper V. 3.0 //www.webroot.com


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