Urgent Again. Cannot Kill The Any Spyware

[alohasiam]

Spyware controls my whole computer now. The Thai visa forum is the only 2 or 3 websites I can still get in. Cannot reach other sites anymore. So I cannot down load anything now. Can anyone offer me any good and easy advice to cure my computer to kill the spyware. I previously download 1 Click Spy Clean and Lavasoft Adware, but both do not help and actually getting worse.

Any simple way to get rid of these spy germs. Or any effective programs I can buy at Panthip that can really kill the germs. Some member advised me get in the control panel to reset the date, but I tried and cannot follow up the instruction. Please offer me urgent help. I am about to throw my notebook out of my 23 Fl window.

[britmaveric]

Reformat and reload os - extreme, but all this wasted time you could have fixed the problem by doing a fresh install.

[waldwolf]

.....The Thai visa forum is the only 2 or 3 websites I can still get in. Cannot reach other sites anymore.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have you checked your browser's "Security Setings" ? The settings may have been reset by the spyware or virus.

Assuming you have no critical/irreplacable data on your machine, britmaveric's advice re: doing a reformat/reinstall is probably the best way to go. If you do a reinstall, be sure to install and activate a firewall, then one of the anti-spyware utilities, before connecting to the internet.

Finances permitting, and you need to recover data stored on the HDD, locate a reliable service shop and have one of their tech's attempt the recovery and "debugging" of your system. Just be sure to get an cost estimate first.

good luck

[Dickie]

I tell people not to go to these porn sites, but will they listen ...?

[Rinrada]

Just done a reboot-install plus added/downloaded (free).....

http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/promotion...051&PID=1414682

and....

http://www.noadware.ne

over the weekend.

Now running as sweet as a nut

[cdnvic]

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!!!!

Lets not get drastic here.

Before you wipe all the data on your computer do this:

1. Reboot into safe mode, press F8 at startup to do this.

2. Run your spyware removal tools one at a time. Do a full system scan with both spyware removal and antivirus.

3. Reboot again and run as normal.

If this doesn't work it would be very unusual. Reformatting is always the last option.

And yes, stay out of porn sites and don't open email attachments.

cv

[Steve2UK]

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!!!!

Lets not get drastic here.

Before you wipe all the data on your computer do this:

1. Reboot into safe mode, press F8 at startup to do this.

2. Run your spyware removal tools one at a time. Do a full system scan with both spyware removal and antivirus.

3. Reboot again and run as normal.

If this doesn't work it would be very unusual. Reformatting is always the last option.

And yes, stay out of porn sites and don't open email attachments.

cv

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Absolutely. While I leaned in the past towards a format/re-install about every year or so (I tend to try out a lot of shareware) to freshen things up, it's a major pain unless you've got all your data on another drive and your key settings saved. XP and the good choice of effective registry cleaners have made that pretty unnecessary now.

Certainly seems OTT in this case. What OS are you running? If it's an XP flavour, maybe a system restore would get you to a usable previous state - and then follow cdnvic's steps? Occurs to me that it would be sensible to do this with the internet connection OFF.

Not knocking LavaSoft Ad-Aware (I use it - works very well and is free), but I've found Computer Associates' "Pest Patrol" to be REALLY thorough in cleaning plus frequent updates plus it sits in your taskbar looking at incoming stuff (and, no, I don't get commission ).

I also echo the ZoneLabs firewall recommendation - worth having the Pro version IMHO. Very configurable and user-friendly.

That's after you've got your machine cleaned up, of course.............

[johnrh]

Spyware controls my whole computer now. .............

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

alohasiam, you've had some suggestions from a few members, but as you don't seem to have posted for a couple of days I was wondering if you still have these problems. If so, maybe I can have a go it. May I start by assuming that you use Xp and Internet Explorer?

Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D are both good but don't find everything. Some malware works by planting registry entries that interfere with the way IE works. This could be your problem. I can suggest a couple of programs that look into this and list all such registry entries.

First, Hijack This. When you run this it will list all registry entries that affect IE. But be careful, it lists the "good" as well as the "bad", so don't delete anything unless you know what you're doing. If you're a novice click on www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/. This in an excellent forum, and on this page you can download Hijack This, it also has detailed instructions on how to use it. You can export the report to a textfile and post it in their forum, and a member should come back and help you.

Second, you could go to www.x-raypc.com. They have a program called X-Ray PC. This is similar to Hijack This but hotlinks to a malware database which should give an online analysis of the findings.

Now my disclaimer. Although I use Hijack This, I don't have these problems so I've never used the services of these two websites. Although they've been recommended by a source I greatly trust, you use them at your own risk. Don't complain to me if they don't solve your problem!

Of course I assume you have a usable pc for downloading these programs, if not............. hmmmmmmm not sure what to suggest! Anyway good luck, keep us posted.

Edited February 18, 2005 by johnrh

[francois]

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!!!!

Lets not get drastic here.

Before you wipe all the data on your computer do this:

1. Reboot into safe mode, press F8 at startup to do this.

2. Run your spyware removal tools one at a time. Do a full system scan with both spyware removal and antivirus.

3. Reboot again and run as normal.

If this doesn't work it would be very unusual. Reformatting is always the last option.

And yes, stay out of porn sites and don't open email attachments.

cv

hi'

AND STOP TO USE INTERNET EXLORER!!

get an alternative one ... so many!

firefox, mozilla, netscape .. and more!

we say for long;

anyone connected to internet should have prior to connect the first time these programs installed and configured.

1- Firewall (Suggested ZoneAlarm)

2- Antivirus (Suggested AVG 7 FE) it needs to be updated regularly!

2- one or more spyware removal tool (suggested Ad-aware SE + Spybot S&D)

all these programs are free and easy to use.

check and clean your drive at least once a week, if you don't have a good memory for this, shedule it.

formatting and re-install of the OS should be the last thing to do.

do I have to remind to all the importance of a system backup?

and basicaly ... defrag the drive too

read again the pined topics , it helps

francois

[britmaveric]

I'd suggest a reformat in this lad's case - simply because he's been toying with this for sometime. Best to start fresh, and then start using safe/standard security protocols for keeping machine clean.

[Backpack_thailand]

To all users, get hold of Giant AntiSpyware. This software finds every single piece adware, spyware and even browser hijackers and kills them all before they enter your system.

It automatically updates itself and will keep your system clean 100%. All other Anti-Spyware tools are shiite in comparison! Giant has so far not failed to detect any spyware trying to invade!

Don't worry about cost, JUST GET IT!

[NarrLing]

Giant Antispyware now come as a 6 month free bete version as Microsoft Antispyware. They bought out Giant. A news clipping the other day quoted Bill Gates saying it would be free.

NL

[freeman]

Giant Antispyware now come as a 6 month free bete version as Microsoft Antispyware. They bought out Giant. A news clipping the other day quoted Bill Gates saying it would be free.

NL

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have installed my windows XP for years and up to now I have had no problem.

Do the following to safe your computer:

1- Instal " McAfee Anti-virus ". It will be updated automatically.

2- Instal " Zone Alarm ". It will be updated automatically.

3- Install " Microsoft Anti-Spy beta ". It will be updated automatically.

4- Update your windows ( XP Service pack 2 ).

You will never have any problem.

If you need links for above programs,let me know.

[cobra]

Lets fast forward, assuming you have a clean system now what tools / practices do you have in place to keep same from happening again?

I recently got hit by an installed activex BHO (browser helper tool), which modified IE's behavior, (it was called the 'Elite Tool Bar"),

It continually redirected IE to various ecom sites, etc.

What made this bugger so nasty is on boot-up, it would replicate /rename itself, so no matter how many times Adware, antiviral, or other got rid of it, it would return on next boot-up, of course it was launched from within the registry.

I'm now running Norton's Firewall and Antiviral, along with Adware and Spybot, and religiously keep my definitions up to date (as well as any OS updates),

haven't had any more problems. Again, a decent Firewall is a must along with frequent scans, Cheers

[freeman]

Lets fast forward,  assuming you have a clean system now what tools / practices do you have in place to keep same from happening again?

I recently got hit by an installed activex BHO (browser helper tool), which modified IE's behavior, (it was called the 'Elite Tool Bar"),

It continually redirected IE to various ecom sites, etc.

What made this bugger so nasty is on boot-up, it would replicate /rename itself, so no matter how many times Adware, antiviral, or other got rid of it, it would return on next boot-up, of course it was launched from within the registry.

I'm now running Norton's Firewall and Antiviral, along with Adware and Spybot, and religiously keep my definitions up to date (as well as any OS updates),

haven't had any more problems. Again, a decent Firewall is a must along with frequent scans, Cheers 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cobra,

The problem (BHO) could very easily solved. Do the following:

1- Run your anti-virus ( updated ) and delete the unwanted programs

2- Use " System Mechanic " to delete all temporary folders

3- Use " Registry Mechanic " to remove all invalid registry records ( that will include that BHD for sure )

4- Restart your computer

Meanwhile, if you have Microsoft Antispy, then no unwanted BHO can add to your browser without your confirmation.

Yes, that's right , it is all ..... a computer needs to keep safe......

Cheers

[glassdude007]

try www.spybot-search&destroy.com it worked for me...good luck if that address dont work do google search it a free sight

[glassdude007]

Lets fast forward,   assuming you have a clean system now what tools / practices do you have in place to keep same from happening again?

I recently got hit by an installed activex BHO (browser helper tool), which modified IE's behavior, (it was called the 'Elite Tool Bar"),

It continually redirected IE to various ecom sites, etc.

What made this bugger so nasty is on boot-up, it would replicate /rename itself, so no matter how many times Adware, antiviral, or other got rid of it, it would return on next boot-up, of course it was launched from within the registry.

I'm now running Norton's Firewall and Antiviral, along with Adware and Spybot, and religiously keep my definitions up to date (as well as any OS updates),

haven't had any more problems. Again, a decent Firewall is a must along with frequent scans, Cheers 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cobra,

The problem (BHO) could very easily solved. Do the following:

1- Run your anti-virus ( updated ) and delete the unwanted programs

2- Use " System Mechanic " to delete all temporary folders

3- Use " Registry Mechanic " to remove all invalid registry records ( that will include that BHD for sure )

4- Restart your computer

Meanwhile, if you have Microsoft Antispy, then no unwanted BHO can add to your browser without your confirmation.

Yes, that's right , it is all ..... a computer needs to keep safe......

Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

how do i get to registry mechanic?????????

[cdnvic]

The original poster hasn't been around in weeks and the advice, while good is just repeating personal opinions and stuff that has been gone over many times in other similar threads.

Read through the past pages or in the computer security primer at the top of the page for more info.

/closed

cv