What programs do I really need? Which are SpyWare?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Roughneck
  • Start date Start date
R

Roughneck

I continue to find many SpyWare applications when I run
AdAware. I remove these files, but find other files in my
system that I don't recognize and I don't know if I even
need them. Should I delete files I don't recognize? What
do I need? In particular, System32 and WINNT files: what
are these? Can i delete them?

thanks
 
Roughneck said:
I continue to find many SpyWare applications when I run
AdAware. I remove these files, but find other files in my
system that I don't recognize and I don't know if I even
need them. Should I delete files I don't recognize? What
do I need? In particular, System32 and WINNT files: what
are these? Can I delete them?
Click to expand...

Use Spybot Search and Destroy. What it checks is usually Spyware. Same
with AdAware actually. You can always delete the cookies. Also, after
cleaning, run SpywareBlaster and also use Spybot Search and Destroy's
Immunize feature as well - keep yourself cleaned up a little better. Run
them all (all three mentioned here so far) periodically. Be sure to update
every time you run them and be sure to use both removal applications
quarantine or backup features. Making a manual restore point before each
run is also a good practice.

If you really want to try and keep these things away and keep your machine
as secure as possible and running better:

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
 
It would be quite impossible to list all the files you need to keep.
However, it's considerably easier to keep spyware and adware off your
computer. There are just a few things you need to know:

1. The first and most important thing is to be extremely careful about what
you install on your computer. This is particularly true of anything that is
offered to you for free. You need to use the same good judgment that you
would in your everyday life.
2. Then, you should install spyware/adware detection and removal software,
and learn how to use it well. There are several effective programs available
from the Internet. My own particular favorite is Ad-aware Plus from
www.lavasoftusa.com, but there are several others.

Those two bits of advice will go a long way to keeping you free of
adware/spyware. As you learn more about the technology, there are additional
steps that you can take to further protect yourself:

1. Install a firewall. Among its many other benefits, a firewall will tell
you when your computer is trying to access the Internet.
2. Configure Internet Explorer's "zones" to improve security.
3. Configure Internet Explorer's handling of cookies to keep tracking
cookies off your system.
And more...

By the way, it's never a good idea to delete a file just because you don't
recognize it. And an Internet search engine can often provide lots of
information about the purpose of a file.

Rocky
 
Back
Top