Common Spyware Solutions

[mtlfly]

Spysweeper ,but the virus .......

[Lenovo]

Thank you, for answering. But this method works for me only with .. In all other cases I get only strange results, like those below
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[Maniraj Patri]

Thanks a lot guys. Really helpful postings

[neethu]

see this link......

http://google.com

[archgamie]

My ESET anti virus aint working so well, can anybody suggest me a good anti virus ?

[anonymous7]

this thread is strange. everybody have 1 2 3 post.

[nathandavies123]

Ok this is a bit of a broken record with all of the spyware/malware problems.

I wanted to create a post that others can refer to as a generic TRY THESE SOLUTIONS for all of the spyware threads

What is Spyware

Suggested Appilcations:
These applications can help to remove the problems from your machine.

(suggested applications have a free version)
AdAware SE (Updated around early August so make sure you have the new version!)
Spybot - Search & Destroy
CWShredder Specific to CoolWebSearch (and variants) spyware but its spreading rapidly and is causing a lot of problems.

Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta Works pretty well, and may clean things the other two do not.

If these utilities fail to clean up the problem please run
HijackThis
This application will create a log of all installed and running applications.
Please create a thread and include a copy of this log so we can determine what the problem is.
When giving a subject line for your thread, do not use "Help". Use a more descriptive subject like "Problem with spyware"

Important:
Once you install Spybot/AdAware/MS Antispyware PLEASE run its update process!
Anti Spyware utilities need to be updated just like antivirus utilities so they must have the latest reference files to be successful.
(if anybody has a few moments post up a quick tutorial how to do it in each application please do so)

Also note that some "Anti Spyware" utilities ARE SPYWARE
They may work to clean up some spyware, but they may also install their own spyware so please stick with the popular solutions given above.

Another suggestion is to try using an online virus scanner such as
TrendMicro House Call
Do a full scan to make sure viruses are not causing the problem.
If you prefer you can install a free full application virus scanner.
Grisoft AVG Antivirus

Post any other suggestions, and maybe we can get it stickied.

Really good informative post...
Thanks for sharing it and please keep sharing i like it....
Thanks a lot again.....

[alexcarlson]

Hi,
The detection of spyware can be sometime fairly easy while other times it can be hidden and not found without looking for the installed program and the only way to do that properly is with Anti Spyware and Spyware blocker software.
Thanks

[mdpcrepair]

to the op: I would suggest MALWAREBYTES as it is good and checks for spyware too.

[denielvolt]

Hi Guys,

Thanks a lot for reply.

Deniel.

[Roraycr]

My granddaoughter was loaded with trojans and other junk. I ran Malwarebytes and got rid of 69 infections, then downloaded Hitman Pro (Free Version) which reset the proxy server which had been installed and got rid of 4 more infections, then download SuperAntiSpyware (also free edition) and got rid of leftovers. All of these had to be run in safe mode. Her machine runs great now. I run all 3 of these weekly on my pc now, too.

[Lucille]

You guys are reminding me to scan my computer as i didn't scanned it for two weeks.Thanks for telling

[Taxmancometh]

My vote's for Noscript. Stop the crap before it enters your computer. The options will allow you to set top level domains on by default so it's less cumbersome.

NoScript - JavaScript/Java/Flash blocker for a safer Firefox experience! - what is it? - InformAction

Of course software that contains adware is another problem. Just use common sense when installing things.

[george1234]

Thanks for sharing this! Its a little bit an old post but its I still learned few things.

[Gerlug]

my common solution is to format the hard drive and reinstall windows .

[Interrupt]

This post is sooo old... but since it has been revived I'll share too:

when cleaning a customer PC I'll first use malware bytes in safe mode. Safe mode is my choice for a system that is so bogged down with malware that I simply can't get into. Typically most of these programs work best in Safe Mode but some really do not, some need a lot of the dlls that are loaded with Windows to load properly.

Then (usually in Windows) I'll run hitman pro then super anti spyware (stupid name but works great). Lastly I run CCleaner, analyze, fix & then registry scan. S&D is usually never needed but I run it anyway if I absolutely must.

A lot of Win 7 systems have a difficult time running Autoruns to manage procs and services so I'll usually, in that case, just use the Windows boot options within S&D. To be fair I could just use Admin Tools/Services and I do as well as regedit and do work manually, but S&D is good for speed and ease of use. Either way a good knowledge of all of it is required to safely stop procs & services (not really an issue on home desktops but servers it is... you do not want to be stopping things you don't understand).

HijackThis is, like the OP indicated, great for log reports if you need them - which, to be fair - I usually don't use. As you become more accustomed to viewing event logs and all the various applets located in the Admin Tools you'll find yourself not using this feature too much. The exception is providing individuals online with information regarding your system: an essential aspect of getting assistance for problems you can't solve on your own. Level of technical expertise is everything.

Viruses... topic has been exhausted elsewhere on the forums. Free good anti-virus programs include AVG and Avira. My choice for paid is Bit Defender though many like Norton (I whole heartedly do not like Norton for a multitude of reasons which are beyond the scope of this reply).

______________ ( Other related tools/topics: Registry, settings, drivers, etc below... )

I've been told that running CCleaner in Safe Mode can cause system problems but I have yet to experience something. At the moment I consider the claim outlandish and nonsensical.

Warning: REGISTRY CLEANERS. AML, Registry Mechanic, etc. If you don't know what you're doing you MIGHT break registry program associations (namely, as I've experienced, in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT). This is because automatic registry cleaners do not know what you don't need. Some cleaners remove entries which haven't been used in a while in addition to broken associations. Broken associations are fine but entries you haven't used in a while? It can screw things up. CCleaner's registry cleaner has worked wonders for me without causing problems. But keep this in mind for all registry cleaners.

Worst case scenario with registry cleaners is you could "break" essential driver associations that will be a pain to fix (absolute worst case scenario could mean a reinstall of Windows).

Research everything. Knowledge is key. The registry is the MOST important aspect of Windows, it is the file cabinet for EVERYTHING Windows has and all the configurations needed to get things working: you don't want to mess around with it if you don't have to. However editing broken associations, modifying settings, etc can all increase the performance of your Windows system if you know what you're doing.

Further improve performance beyond malware, adware, spyware & viruses? Ensure all your drivers are up to date but try to use the driver detection programs (e.x., Driver Genius) as a last resort. Why? Because the suggestions it makes are not always accurate... they usually aren't (check first manually using Device Manager in conjunction with CPUID software). I recently used it to find an out of date driver that I couldn't get online. What it installed was the wrong chipset driver for my motherboard! It was the "right" driver for the chipset but not the exact one needed for my motherboard (Shy - if you are reading this - that is how I had the problem with the CPU spiking a lot from the other thread, fixed it). Nothing too bad happened but it could have. Remember: read everything don't just hit "fix." Automatic driver tools can seriously frak up your system if you aren't 100% knowledgeable as to what each driver does and if you need it.

Again this topic is sort of old so it doesn't really warrant this response. But the truth is since I do this professionally I feel that I should at least update the thread with some up-to-date techniques for resolving similar problems. Among friends of mine, many of whom work as technicians as I do, the tools I've mentioned are very helpful.

Other technicians on this forum - there are plenty - have their own tools which work just as well... you can see this in response to threads concerning anti-viruses, etc. All work well. I've just found the above works best for me and my company. Sorry this topic spans so much information. I figured more info on all somewhat related topics is better than limited info for anyone viewing this that might be experiencing PC troubles.

[stroyal]

Posts like this are pretty timeless.
The ones that bug me, are the ones giving advice on how to fix a computer, from 5 years ago.

Good overview.

[Interrupt]

LOL, was it stupid on my part to make my post? I just figured if anyone saw the topic and needed Spyware help, my post might be of assistance... sorry if it came across as noobish. These kinds of posts get to me too.

[GautamLawyer]

I think a simple solution for you that you should be formet your Pc.

[Taxmancometh]

Wow, great solution, bravo.