Spyware, Adware, Browser Hijacking

[Gza]

I usually described as a friendly person. Friendly until a few days ago that is. I opened up my browser to find a new toolbar with like a hundred different buttons with most of the links to various porn and gambling sites. I was then bombed by at least twenty or thirty rapid fire popups that slowed my system to a crawl. I used an adware/spyware remover as well as Norton Antivirus for over an hour and couldn't get the damn things off of me. I found myself so pissed off I literally wanted to track down the programmers of these stupid little parasites and beat the living hell out of them . I was wondering what everyone else's experience with this stuff has been, and if they have been able to fix the problems. Also, I was wondering if there was anything illegal about spyware so we would be able to take legal action to stop these scumbags (if not, make a few bucks out of it .

 

[Adam]

Use the Mozilla web browser, go into the settings, block popups.

 

[amwbonfire]

http://mozilla.org

Use the "Firefox" browser.

 

[Zantra]

If you're not ready to go to such extremes, do this:

right click on a clear area right above your url bar. This should show you all the toolbars available, including the one you don't want. If you're not sure which one it is, experiment with it.

Then download the googletoolbar, which has a popup blocker. Just do a google on google toolbar.

 

[poolwin2001]

I think you should keep Spybot Search and destroy(s&d).This software is way cool and will remove all your problems in a few min.Also it will immunise your system and its FREE!

 

[gravenewworld]

You have a hijacked browser. Adware is very hard to get rid of. Do these steps exactly. They may help:


1. Download and install Adaware (free edition). (Click on "Adaware" in the left-hand column near the top at their website to download the free edition.)

2. After installing go to Start > Programs > Lavasoft and click on AdAware 6 to open the program

3. Look at the icons on the top right of the page and click on the ‘world’ and let AdAware update the spyware reference list (Note: Always update Adaware before you scan.)

4. Once the update is finished click on the ‘Gear’ icon (second from the left) to access the preferences/settings window

1. In the ‘General’ window make sure the following are selected:
· Automatically save log-file
· Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
· Safe Mode (always request confirmation)

2. Click on the ‘Scanning’ button on the left and select :
· Scan Within Archives
· Scan Active Processes
· Scan Registry
· Deep Scan Registry
· Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s
· Scan my Hosts file
· Under ‘Click here to select drives + folders’, choose:
· All of your hard drives

3. Click on the ‘Advanced’ button on the left and select:
· Include additional process information
· Include additional file information
· Include environment information
· Include additional object details

4. Click the ‘Tweak’ button and select:
· Under the ‘Scanning Engine’:
· Unload recognized processes during scanning
· Include basic Ad-aware settings in logfile
· Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile
· Under the ‘Cleaning Engine’:
· Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot

5. Click on ‘Proceed’ to save the settings.

6. Click ‘Start’ and on the next screen choose ‘Activate in-depth Scan’ at the bottom of the page and then choose:
· Use Custom Scanning Options

7. Click ‘Next’ and AdAware will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected.

8. Save the log file when it asks and then click ‘finish’

9. REBOOT

Also download spybot

1. Next, download and install Spybot Search and Destroy.

2. Go to Start > Programs >Spybot - Search & Destroy and choose ‘Spybot S&D - easy mode’

3. Close ALL windows except Spybot S&D

4. Click the button to ‘Search for Updates’ and download and install the Updates.

5. Next click the button ‘Check for Problems’

6. When Spybot is complete, it will be showing ‘RED’ entries ‘BLACK’ entries and ‘GREEN’ entries in the window

7. Put a check mark beside the RED entries ONLY.

8. Choose ‘Fix Selected Problems’ and allow Spybot to fix the RED entries.

9. REBOOT

run house call

HOUSECALL

Then please go to HouseCall Free Online Virus Scanner, http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_frame ,
and run the online virus scan. Please select the Autoclean option when prompted

Downlaod and run the latest version of CWshredder.

Finally download and run hijackthis! I'm pretty sure you can get it at www.download.com[/url]. If not just search google. Post the results of you hijackthis log on a professional computer help forum like [url]www.computercops.biz[/URL] for help. Do not delete anything the log lists unless you know what you are doing.

You can find any of the programs that I said on the internet for free. After you clean your computer I would highly recommend that you download mozilla firefox and use it as your primary browser. Disable internet explorer and never use it again because there are so many security leaks in it. Adware messes with the windows registry which can get very sticky when you try to fix it back to normal.

 

[poolwin2001]

I think spyware amd adware usually come with shareware appl or Hijackers come mainly from crack/hack and other illegeal activities sites.
Easiest way to avoid these -Do not go to these sites .Over.Problem Solved.

 

[Skyblitz]

I use mozilla too. One of the best decisions ever :)

However, CWShredder really helps as mentioned earlier.