* Spyware Thread *

It's become more than a pain in the seat. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
I have had some success with Adaware.
Are there any other good or better spyware sweepers? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/poke2.gif
What are the laws if any of us find out who is doing it and wants to make them sorry thier parents ever met? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon15.gif

Re: Spyware killing thread

Zonealarm
Spybot search & destroy
Spywareblaster
Spywareguard
Winpatrol
Adaware

Re: *Spyware Thread*

More than I thought was available. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I'll look into those. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anything related to spyware whether it's an experience with it or a way to put it out of our misery.
Let your voice be read.

Re: Spyware killing thread

you can get most of them free. go to http://www.download.com and search for each of them.

Re: Spyware killing thread

Thanks sithjedi333. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Re: Spyware killing thread

Anytime bud. Anything to save someone from having to reinstall their operating system like I did.

Re: Spyware killing thread

I use the following:

Mozilla Firefox
Ad-Aware SE
Spybot Search & Destroy
Spyware Guard
Spyware Blaster

Re: Spyware killing thread

good luck.
i have Spyware Blaster, Ad-Aware, and Spybot Search & Destroy, and run them all daily, and i still have a helluva time with spyware.
i might have to delete my system restore. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I have found that the only long-term, consistent solution to spyware is to avoid using Internet Explorer for most of my web surfing. Removing spyware is important, but this is no substitute for keeping it off your computer in the first place. Ad-aware, Spybot, etc. will remove most things, but there will still be that 1-in-1000 piece of malicious software that these programs won't be able to remove completely.

After reinstalling my OS twice in one year due to spyware, I switched to Firefox. I still do Ad-aware scans, but now I never find anything except a few tracking cookies--which are picked up during those very few times when I use IE.

Re: Spyware killing thread

in addition to the using updated spyware programs and updated antivirus programs,

1) use a software firewall. Zonealarm works. Leave it running all the time.

2) use an alternate browser instead of Internet Explorer. If you have to use IE, keep it updated by using the update link at Microsoft.com

3) keep your windows operating system updated by using the update link at Microsoft.com

Re: *Spyware Thread*

Now we're getting somewhere. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Re: *Spyware Thread*

I recommend using FireFox for most of your browsing.

A hardware Firewall... to block incoming and a software firewall to block outgoing.

For the software firewall ... I use Sygate... it uses less resources on my machine than ZoneAlarm...

Along with those things... I use Spyware Blaster and Spyware Guard, Spybot S&D and AdAware.

For antivirus I use Avast! v4.5 beta has just come out and it's great. The new version has a network protection module for worms and the such.

And don't forget to keep your system updated with all security patches and fixes.

Re: Spyware killing thread

There are some CWS varients out there that are unremovable with the "standard" tools listed above. I'm infected! I can run AdAware SE (paid) latest with today's update and Spybot S&D and find nothing! If I open IE (I run Firefox, but must use IE for MS patches) SG immediately pops up a window that my home page is trying to change. After clicking "no/restore" abt 8 times, I can get my updates. Upon closing IE another 8 SG alarms and clicks. I then run AdAware SE which finds it in typically over a dozen places and cleans it out.

I have ZoneAlarm pro, Norton AV, Ad-Watch and SG running from startup. The box stays clean except for that friggin CWS which reactivates everytime I open IE. (CWS Shredder can't clean it out either!)

I think a new federal law was recently passed against that sort of s**t, but most originates off shore.

Larry

Re: Spyware killing thread

Warm and fuzzy link I just followed from Slashdot. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Larry

Re: Spyware killing thread

On the machine at Dads, we have AVG, Adaware, Spybot: all free versions, and Spyware Blaster (I think) that has 30 days free and I'm pretty sure we're gonna buy in!

Popups were a HORRID problem before I DL'd and installed SP2. It's popup blocker WORKS!

In the Linux thread I'm trying to see if there is a Linux solution that my dad and Sister can be turned to.

I'm doing it mainly for security reasons! Windows XP seems to be shot FULL of holes!

Re: Spyware killing thread

tvodrd –

I can't remember. Did you try HijackThis?

Go here NiceFiles and download HiJackThis. It will come to you in a zip file. If that link doesn't work go here: merijn That's the guy who wrote it. I trust both of these sites.

I believe you'll be looking for the following entries. They were published by techguy

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\iutom.dll/sp.html#96676
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = res://iutom.dll/index.html#96676

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {26602A67-A7FE-F231-649E-9BF9B404E0CF} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\javahm.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [apiwz32.exe] C:\WINDOWS\apiwz32.exe

"Occassionally it is accompanied by one or multiple O4 RunOnce ehtries"

O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [iprd.exe] C:\WINDOWS\iprd.exe

If that doesn't work, PM me. I don't want to hijack this thread.

- Jeff

Re: Spyware killing thread

Spyware Blaster is a free program. Of course they accept donations.

Oh.. and be careful what you fix with Hijackthis... You can really screw things up if you don't know what you are doing.

Re: Spyware killing thread

[ QUOTE ]
Negeltu said:
Oh.. and be careful what you fix with Hijackthis... You can really screw things up if you don't know what you are doing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Absolutely. I usually put that disclaimer in any reference. (Hint: the checkbox for backup is defaulted to yes. Always make sure it is checked before running a fix.) Thanks for the reminder, Negeltu.

Re: Spyware killing thread

I know there are a LOT of spyware/adware programs out there right now, but it IS possible to run a good system w/o resorting to no web surfing.

I am running a win xp pro box now for about 3 years. I have NEVER had any spyware on it, nor adware. I run a hardware firewall, norton antivirus, the latest MS patches via windowsupdate, IE 6.X, and do not load any "free" programs. By "free" I mean: screensavers, mp3/file sharing programs, any toolbars, any automatic weather program, and no emoticon email programs. Etc...

This systems works. I have about 400 DIFFERENT networks (with 2 to 450 computers per network) I administer and they ALL have excellent results with this procedure. Proper software protocol works wonders.

Re: Spyware killing thread

I use alot of free programs.. But I know what to look for. I haven't had any spyware on my system for a long time. A good portion of it is umm..hehe.. peoples viewing habits. Stay away from Porn... and Warez sites... weird shopping sites and certain types of gaming sites... If you're going to browse those types of sites...then use firefox with Javascript and Java turned off.