PC infected with Spyware

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Bought a 2nd hand PC without knowing that it's infected with spyware. Can
somebody tell me what can I do to get rid of the program? It's a very urgent
problem that I wanna fix ASAP... Help any1???
 
Amethyst said:
Bought a 2nd hand PC without knowing that it's infected with spyware.
Can somebody tell me what can I do to get rid of the program? It's a
very urgent problem that I wanna fix ASAP... Help any1???

What have you tried?
Stay away from any of the removal applications on the list found on this web
page:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Then install at least the first few from this list and scan with them:

Two side-notes: Never think one of these can do the whole job.
Try the first 5 before coming back and saying "That did not work!"
Also, you can always visit:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
For more updated information.

Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
http://www.safer-networking.net/en/download/index.html

Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/

CWShredder (Free!)
http://www.softbasket.com/download/s_8114.shtml

Hijack This! (Free)
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
( Tutorial: http://hjt.wizardsofwebsites.com/ )

SpywareBlaster (Free!)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

IE-SPYAD (Free!)
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm

ToolbarCop (Free!)
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/

Browser Security Tests
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/

Popup Tester
http://www.popuptest.com/

The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
http://www.moosoft.com/
 
Download Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition and scan your PC for the presence of spyware:
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=827315

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

3 Simple Steps to Insure the Security of Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

Utilize the following maintenance programs, at least monthly, in this order:

Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310312&Product=winxp

How to Perform Disk Error Checking in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315265&Product=winxp

HOW TO: Analyze and Defragment a Disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305781&Product=winxp

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Bought a 2nd hand PC without knowing that it's infected with spyware. Can
| somebody tell me what can I do to get rid of the program? It's a very urgent
| problem that I wanna fix ASAP... Help any1???
 
Amethyst said:
Bought a 2nd hand PC without knowing that it's infected with spyware. Can
somebody tell me what can I do to get rid of the program? It's a very urgent
problem that I wanna fix ASAP... Help any1???

To deal with issues caused by any sort of "adware" and/or
"spyware,"such as Gator, Comet Cursors, Smiley Central, Xupiter,
Bonzai Buddy, or KaZaA, and their remnants, that you've deliberately
(but without understanding the consequences) installed, two products
that are quite effective (at finding and removing this type of
scumware) are Ad-Aware from www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search &
Destroy from www.safer-networking.org/. Both have free versions.
It's even possible to use SpyBot Search & Destroy to "immunize" your
system against most future intrusions. I use both and generally
perform manual scans every week or so to clean out cookies, etc.

Additionally, manual removal instructions for the most common
varieties of scumware are available here:

PC Hell Spyware and Adware Removal Help
http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml


Neither adware nor spyware, collectively known as scumware,
magically install themselves on anyone's computer. They are almost
always deliberately installed by the computer's user, as part of some
allegedly "free" service or product.

While there are some unscrupulous malware distributors out there,
who do attempt to install and exploit malware without consent, the
majority of them simply rely upon the intellectual laziness and
gullibility of the average consumer, counting on them to quickly click
past the EULA in his/her haste to get the latest in "free" cutesy
cursors, screensavers, "utilities," and/or wallpapers.

If you were to read the EULAs that accompany, and to which the
computer user must agree before the download/installation of the
"screensaver" continues, most adware and spyware, you'll find that
they _do_ have the consumer's permission to do exactly what they're
doing. In the overwhelming majority of cases, computer users have no
one to blame but themselves.

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.


To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
the best thing you can do is format c: and reinstall from scratch. make
sure you have the following 3 things done BEFORE connecting to the internet:
1. firewall set to block everything coming in
2. antivirus running and up to date
3. all os updates up to date

if you really can't get os and virus scanner updates on cd then you can
connect out to well known sites with just a firewall, but be careful of
where you go.
 
You should wipe it clean then reinstall the OS and all software. That is the *best*
solution.

Dave



| Bought a 2nd hand PC without knowing that it's infected with spyware. Can
| somebody tell me what can I do to get rid of the program? It's a very urgent
| problem that I wanna fix ASAP... Help any1???
 
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