Spyware

  • Thread starter Thread starter Barry Karas
  • Start date Start date
B

Barry Karas

29-Sep-07



I scan for spyware weekly (or more often if I'm on my computer often). I
just scanned and the following were questionable.




AdRevolver



Advertising.com



BurstMedia



CasaleMedia



CoreMetrics



DoubleClick



FastClick



HotBox



MediaPlex



Statcounter



WebTrends live



Zedo



I usually delete or quarantine these, but some just keep on returning.



Which one(s) of the questionable items are malware?



I use Windows XP with SP2.



Thank you,



Barry Karas
 
It would really help for you to tell us what antimalware & antivirus programs you have scanned with? and which files, if any, are being flagged.
If these are only cookies, you can remove them. If on the other hand, you suspect malware:

Run a /thorough/ check for malware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for expert
analysis, not here.**

Make very sure you read and follow the very topmost instructions at the forum you have selected.
 
Barry said:
29-Sep-07



I scan for spyware weekly (or more often if I'm on my computer
often). I just scanned and the following were questionable.




AdRevolver



Advertising.com



BurstMedia



CasaleMedia



CoreMetrics



DoubleClick



FastClick



HotBox



MediaPlex



Statcounter



WebTrends live



Zedo



I usually delete or quarantine these, but some just keep on returning.



Which one(s) of the questionable items are malware?



I use Windows XP with SP2.



Thank you,



Barry Karas
Click to expand...

Just remove them. You're right though, they will keep coming back
unless/until you do something to stop them. Personally I use my HOSTS file
for that. MVPS.org has a good HOSTS file that catches all those and more,
plus batch files to install and set up to avoid slowdowns due to the long
file.
Or use IE's settings but HOSTS if much more reliable and useful, IMO.

Pop`
 
All of the above are malware.

You indicate some keep returning - this means you either:

1. regularly visit website(s) that install the malware
2. are infected with rootkits because of 1
3. are infected with viruses/trojans/downloaders because of 1 & 2
4. All of the above.

Spyware is a RISK, not a nuisance. Be careful.
 
Attaching a small warning here..
A HOSTS file that contains too many entries and/or too many dead entries
will slow down your operating system and possibly hamper your use of
online facilities.
It would be wise to read up on the subject before diving into the deep
end.
 
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