Spyware...

Remove all ads!

Ok I am uber-frustrated!

I have downloaded a variety of spyware detecting programs, like Ad-aware and SpyHunter and Spykiller, etc. But they all detect different spyware! Worst of all, all of them charge money to delete the spyware except ad-aware. However, ad-aware doesn't find all the spyware, since the other ones are locating a lot more. Even so, whenever I use the Internet and run Ad-aware afterwards, it locates something new. Is there a permanent solution to this problem? Is there a program that will find all spyware and remove it without exploiting capitalism?

 

Spyware Search and Destroy is an excellent piece of software that was recommended by PC Magazine.

Here's the link:

http://www.safer-networking.org

The best part is that it destroys all traces of Gator - the most devious and insidious software ever developed.

I also recommend that you download and install the AltaVista, Google or MSN toolbars (available on their respective websites).

These toolbars integrate with Internet Explorer, are spyware free and - best of all - have pop-up blockers.

 

I use Ad-Aware and, sometimes, Search-and-Destroy. But I have never had the problem with Ad-aware not finding all spyware...

 

I used both Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware, and they get rid of most spyware, but CWShredder was the one that destroyed the most problematic spyware on my system - ones that re-set your homepage, change all the links, add favourites, and randomly pop-up.

 

Hmmm there is still one particular ad I get at random webpages. Do you have problems such as this? I did the Google toolbar and used SpyBot, but this one still persists.

 

Some spyware respawns after you took it out with Spybot or AdAware. They are simply back the next day, Gatorcompany is an example of that. If you really wanna get rid of it, you need to reboot in the safe mode, and remove all spywarefiles manually. This could take a lot of time, but it's the most effective way.

 

Ad-Aware removed Gator just fine for me.

When using Ad-Aware, do you update it before use, and make sure that all of of the Custom Scan Options are toggled to on? It got rid of all of the Spyware that I had previously.

If you're really having a problem with this sort of thing, then I'd strongly recommend getting an Industrial Strength Firewall. Those things won't let any spyware onto your computer in the first place.

 

There is another thing that hasn't really been asked and you haven't mentioned, but still...
You don't have to answer, but if you have any programs like Kazaa or such, they install spyware when they are installed. You can remove the spyware, but when you run programs like Kazaa, they reinstall the spyware. In that case, there isn't much you can do to prevent the spyware on your computer as far as I know.
I've also heard it happening to friends when they download software from the net.
My friend downlaoded a game and it installed a bunch of porn dialers and ran up his phone bill by calling places in Africa.

 

Thank you for all your help.

Well I did upgrade my Ad-aware very recently, but Pac man, you mentioned manually deleting these spyware files. How do you even find them in the first place? Or how would you know where to look?

Still, there are three particular ads that I get almost every time I open the internet browser. I figure they must be somewhere installed on the hard disk, but I can't locate them. Did you guys ever or still have problems with specific ads that pop up even after you removed spyware with SpyBot or Ad-aware?

 

It might be wise to delete your Cookies on a regular basis. These are also a security risk and can be used for tracking and specialized ads.

If you have Internet Explorer - you can customize your settings to block certain types of cookies and only allow a number of websites to store them - such as sorcerers.net

For myself, I wrote a simple app that deletes the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder as well as the Cookies folder.

 

Why don't you just download MOZILLA 1.6 and save yourself from a lot of headache?

Hopefully your machine is up-to-date in every aspect? Also, check the source of the pop-up images. If they are on your comp, problem solved, if on Internet, block access to that site.

 

AdAware actually destroyed Kazaa on my friend's computer. It will remove everything if it's updated and used properly.

You're right about problems with some programs, but if you install such filth on your computer then you deserve what's coming to you.

 

Alright, using the useful suggestions offered by you guys, I seemed to have solved my problems mostly.

One final word on this though: If Ad-Aware and Spybot are so effective, why are there downloads for anti-spyware that make you pay for it? What capabilities do they have that these two don't?

 

So that people can get money offering broken software (see M$), compared to free products that do it better. There is Ad-Aware pro though, which keeps a guard against spyware (spyware stays away).

[ March 18, 2004, 10:52: Message edited by: Taza ]

 

Even better don't use internet explorer! I realise that this can be a contentious issue, but as far as I'm concerned internet explorer is an awful browser (not that it's not without advantages over other browsers, but overall it's just not worth it)

Major options would be Mozilla (as previoulsy mentioned), Mozilla Firefox (Firebird until about a month ago) and Opera

If you are going to use internet explorer, I recommend unchecking the install on demand boxes in your advanced internet options

 

Apologies if this is off-topic but I don't understand what is so wrong with Explorer. I open it and it lets me browse web pages. What else would I possibly need a browser to do? I have been using it for years without any problems.

 

Once Microsoft had beaten Navigator from the market, IE became pretty much a standard for browsers. After all, it is distributed with Windows. Since then MS has stopped developing it -no competition, no income, so why should it continue? During this time, IMO, Mozilla has driven past in speed, look, and reliability.

In other words; IE is getting OLD like any other non-developed software.