parasite

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How do you get rid of a parasit without having to sign up to virtual bouncer or any other thing that you have to pay for
 
drew said:
How do you get rid of a parasit without having to sign up to virtual
bouncer or any other thing that you have to pay for?
Click to expand...

Better secure/clean up/keep clean your PC:

You may have spyware/adware infesting your machine, follow the
appropriate section for that, making sure you use at least
THREE of the tools I list to scan and clean your machine AFTER
updating them. Cleaning up spyware/adware/malware usually
solves home page hijackers as well.

Please Notice that if you use AOL, you should at least upgrade to 9.0 or
greater before doing any of the fixes. I know you can get AOL 9.0 at almost
any convenience store, gas station, super market or other retail outlet in
the world, so this should not be a problem.


Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
(It has been reported that it now works with AOL 9.0+)


Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)


Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..
(Yes - using MORE than one of these..
I recommend at least the first three. Also..
UPDATE the definitions for them before using.)

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.net/

Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de

CWSShredder
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Hijack This!
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
- http://www.moosoft.com/
- http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well. SpywareBlaster is a FANTASTIC free product, I suggest
getting this after you cleanup and keeping it updated as well....

And Assortment of Others:
http://spywareinfo.com/


After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW! Grisoft AntiVirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php


Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about
80 to 120MB (seems to be an optimal size for the normal user)

- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section,
do the following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the
"Amount of disk space to use:" to something between 80MB
and 120MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to
"Delete all offline contents" (the checkbox) and click
OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10 minutes or
more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer
- Re-open Internet Explorer.


Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever. (If you have something
installed but never use it, uninstall it.) If you go through Control
Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and see things you seldom if ever use, it is to
your advantage to remove it.


Also, if you are tired of Web Page Pop-Ups/Unders.. You could try the
Google Toolbar.
http://toolbar.google.com/


Stop loading applications at logon.. run MSCONFIG and look under the startup
tab for things you DON'T want to startup! Search the Internet with Google
to discover what things are safe to remove and what things may even be
malware infecting your computer.


Better control your email and lessen the amount of time you spend dealing
with SPAM:
SpamBayes
http://sourceforge.net/projects/spambayes/
or
Spamihilator.
http://www.spamihilator.com
 
I seen this posting and had a question. I have Adaware
on my computer. Should I download the Spyware Blaster
too? Should I delete Adaware and just download the
Spyware Blaster? Sorry, 2 questions. :)
 
anonymous said:
I seen this posting and had a question. I have Adaware
on my computer. Should I download the Spyware Blaster
too? Should I delete Adaware and just download the
Spyware Blaster? Sorry, 2 questions. :)
Click to expand...


You should use (likely) at least three of the products I list in my
postings - at least more than one. If one product did everything, the
others would not be producing much, eh?

You may have spyware/adware infesting your machine, follow the
appropriate section for that, making sure you use at least
THREE of the tools I list to scan and clean your machine AFTER
updating them. Cleaning up spyware/adware/malware usually
solves home page hijackers as well.

Please Notice that if you use AOL, you should at least upgrade to 9.0 or
greater before doing any of the fixes. I know you can get AOL 9.0 at almost
any convenience store, gas station, super market or other retail outlet in
the world, so this should not be a problem.


Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
(It has been reported that it now works with AOL 9.0+)


Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)


Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..
(Yes - using MORE than one of these..
I recommend at least the first three. Also..
UPDATE the definitions for them before using.)

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.net/

Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de

CWSShredder
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Hijack This!
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
- http://www.moosoft.com/
- http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well. SpywareBlaster is a FANTASTIC free product, I suggest
getting this after you cleanup and keeping it updated as well....

And Assortment of Others:
http://spywareinfo.com/


After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW! Grisoft AntiVirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php


Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about
80 to 120MB (seems to be an optimal size for the normal user)

- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section,
do the following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the
"Amount of disk space to use:" to something between 80MB
and 120MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to
"Delete all offline contents" (the checkbox) and click
OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10 minutes or
more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer
- Re-open Internet Explorer.


Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever. (If you have something
installed but never use it, uninstall it.) If you go through Control
Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and see things you seldom if ever use, it is to
your advantage to remove it.


Also, if you are tired of Web Page Pop-Ups/Unders.. You could try the
Google Toolbar.
http://toolbar.google.com/


Stop loading applications at logon.. run MSCONFIG and look under the startup
tab for things you DON'T want to startup! Search the Internet with Google
to discover what things are safe to remove and what things may even be
malware infecting your computer.


Better control your email and lessen the amount of time you spend dealing
with SPAM:
SpamBayes
http://sourceforge.net/projects/spambayes/
or
Spamihilator.
http://www.spamihilator.com
 
Hi,

They perform different functions.

Adaware assists in the removal of paratic ad & spy programs.

Spyware Blaster prevents them from installing themselves in the first place.

I would suggest using both.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
Got to agree with the experts, I've got Ad-Aware, SpyBot and SpywareBlaster on my machine. SpywareBlaster stops just about everything getting on in the first place, Ad-Aware catches the odd cookie that does get through and Spybot has reported my system clean on the last six scans. My friends say I'm paranoid having three anti spyware programs installed but Hey!...I ain't got no nasties on my machine! I'd recommend these three along with a good Antivirus.
 
After I do a system restore, I will add the SpyBot,
Spyware Blaster and readd the Adaware right after I READD
the settings to get back on the internet. :) I do NOT
like this Windows XP!! Give the good old Windows 95 any
day! All I've gotten out of this whole mess with these
problems is more confused. Guess the most I can do is
tee totally screw the darn thing up! :-) LOL Have a
great week!
-----Original Message-----
Got to agree with the experts, I've got Ad-Aware, SpyBot
Click to expand...
and SpywareBlaster on my machine. SpywareBlaster stops
just about everything getting on in the first place, Ad-
Aware catches the odd cookie that does get through and
Spybot has reported my system clean on the last six
scans. My friends say I'm paranoid having three anti
spyware programs installed but Hey!...I ain't got no
nasties on my machine! I'd recommend these three along
with a good Antivirus.
 
What is a good antivirus? Norton, McAfee, AVG?? I have had Norton for two
years that has worked well, but I have read there are problems with 2004
version. Also, it is a resource hog, my computer works much slower when
Norton is installed. I have AVG right now but I am uncertain if it works
with Outlook Express. I downloaded a file that was supposed to make it work
but then my OE wouldn't work (send, receive e-mails). Thanks

Coliboy said:
Got to agree with the experts, I've got Ad-Aware, SpyBot and
Click to expand...
SpywareBlaster on my machine. SpywareBlaster stops just about everything
getting on in the first place, Ad-Aware catches the odd cookie that does get
through and Spybot has reported my system clean on the last six scans. My
friends say I'm paranoid having three anti spyware programs installed but
Hey!...I ain't got no nasties on my machine! I'd recommend these three along
with a good Antivirus.
 
A good antivirus is none at all. Keep your system updated, the firewall turned
on and NEVER open an e-mail from an unknown source and you won't need any of
that trash. What's more your system will run much smoother and error free. I
haven't ever had a virus in the last ten years. And, I never use an antivirus
program.
On the outside chance that you get a virus from a known source (a friend
inadvertently sends you one) you can just search for instructions on how to
get rid of it.
Of course NORTON and McAFEE will scare the daylights out of you in an effort
to get you to purchase their products.
 
Unknown said:
inadvertently sends you one)
Click to expand...

Something like NINETY percent of infected machines are infected by emails
sent from a "friend". To NOT have an AV program is VERY dangerous advice.
 
First off where did you get that statistic? Secondly they are in attachments.
I have NEVER had a virus and never have used a virus scanner. Also, I have
never opened an attachment from someone I did not know. My friends would not
send me an attachment that was a virus. AND I might point out, only one of
them has gotten a virus. (It took ten minutes to get rid of it.)
But he is a publisher of a monthly news item and receives attachments many
times per month.. The fact remains, virus programs cause far more (in
magnitude) problems than they prevent.
 
Unknown said:
. My friends would not send me an attachment that was a virus.
Click to expand...

How do you KNOW? The current worms spoof email addresses, which if they are
from your friends who are infected, would you still open the attached file?

Recent survey by Gartner (I think it was) found that something like FIFTY
EIGHT percent of office workers didn't care about clicking on any old
attachments whether they were infected or not. The very rapid spread of the
recent worms were caused by idiots going into auto-attachment-click mode.
"Oh look, there's an attachment. Let's click it....."

I repeat for average Joe Public, the advice that no-one NEEDS an AV program
is DANGEROUS.




AND I might point out, only one of
 
The kind of logic "unknown" seems to subscribe to is the kind of logic that would tell us not to wear seatbelts in the car or not to wear a condom in a risky (risque?) situation. You are putting other people (your e-mail recipients ) at risk by not properly protecting your machine against the chance, however slight YOU may deem it to be, of contracting a virus!
 
Coliboy said:
The kind of logic "unknown" seems to subscribe to is the kind of logic
Click to expand...
that would tell us not to wear seatbelts in the car

Ahh. A different scenario. If you removed all seat belts, air bags, abs,
traction control etc, then road casualties would rise for a short while and
then dramatically reduce as drivers very suddenly became aware that if they
hit things THEY get hurt, not the other party.
 
Coliboy said:
The kind of logic "unknown" seems to subscribe to is the kind of
logic that would tell us not to wear seatbelts in the car
Click to expand...
Ahh. A different scenario. If you removed all seat belts, air bags,
abs, traction control etc, then road casualties would rise for a
short while and then dramatically reduce as drivers very suddenly
became aware that if they hit things THEY get hurt, not the other
party.
Click to expand...

This is not entirely true as this assumes the human psyche to be a
constant - when in fact usually the adrenaline rush people get (and slight
euphoria as a result of this rush) affects each individual differently.

Where 50% of the people might slow down and become careful, there is likely
to be another 50% that subconsciously become more violent and reckless in
their actions for the "rush", thereby negating even further the more careful
first 50% of the people.

The human constant is never constant.
 
We all use the same operating procedures. They are:
1.Keep the system updated via Microsoft
2. Keep the firewall turned on
3. Never open an attachment from an unknown source.
None of us, save one, (the news publisher) has ever had a virus.
I might add, with XP we also put a check mark on 'Do not allow attachments to
be saved or opened that may have a virus'
That is in tools, options, security tab in OE.
 
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