Spyware

[DogMa]

I have been getting huge amounts of spyware lately and just wondered if anyone else has been having the same problem. When I first go on-line, my computer runs fine. After about an hour, I notice it is taking longer and longer for pages to load, so I will run a scan and I can have anywhere from 7-22 critical new objects that need to be removed. Is there anyway to stop this, or do I just keep running the scan every hour or so? Thanks:)

[RoseArienh]

DogMa, I don't have a lot of real knowledge about this, but I do have a good reliable site that does: http://www.aumha.org/secure.htm

That's a direct link to the page you want to start with.

What program do you use to scan?

[DogMa]

DogMa, I don't have a lot of real knowledge about this, but I do have a good reliable site that does: http://www.aumha.org/secure.htm

That's a direct link to the page you want to start with.

What program do you use to scan?
Wow! That page is awesome! Thank you RoseArienh.:)
I switched to Ad-Aware after having a bad time with Spybot. It works great, but I guess the Spyware is everywhere. Once again, Thanks!!

[Budman]

I have been getting huge amounts of spyware lately and just wondered if anyone else has been having the same problem. When I first go on-line, my computer runs fine. After about an hour, I notice it is taking longer and longer for pages to load, so I will run a scan and I can have anywhere from 7-22 critical new objects that need to be removed. Is there anyway to stop this, or do I just keep running the scan every hour or so? Thanks:)

Dogma,

This really depends on your operating system as to what you should do to protect your system.

Within Windows 98, Windows ME, and Windows 2000, purchase or download a firewall software product. If you have Comcast or AOL, they provide McAfee products for free. However, check with your Internet/broadband provider to see if they offer any security products for free.

If you have Windows XP, upgrade to Service Pack 2 and ensure that your computer has the latest updates from Windows Update (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com). In addition, I recommend installing Windows Defender, a free product from Microsoft.

Along with a good Anti-spyware program, you must install and maintain your Anti-Virus software. Again, check with your Internet/Broadband service provider to see what software they offer, if any.

Enable the Windows XP Firewall. If this inhibits the function of some software, figure out that problem rather than disabling the firewall. Even if you are on dial-up, enable firewall protection on your computer.

Last but not least, have someone inspect and clean your computer of any viruses, trojans, worms and or spyware and adware. Even after installing all the necessary software, it is still possible for something to remain undetected which will continue to infect your computer repeatedly. Knowledgable individuals can identify the software by looking at running processes, installed applications and registry entries and determine if anything malicious is installed.

[RoseArienh]

Thank you, Them! I was wondering why the spyware would keep regenerating (for DogMa), and frankly, getting a little paranoid. But I've done everything you described and more, so I will breathe a little easier.

My computer is very slow while some of my protective services run; I guess slow is okay, considering the alternative.

[Erik]

The best thing you can do is to have your browser prompt you any time a site attempts to set a cookie. You can approve your trusted sites to always accept so that takes a little out of the annoyance factor. I bet 90% of that spyware your scanners are picking up are tracking cookies.

[DogMa]

Thank you once again Rose:)

Thank you Them. I had almost all of what you said, except for the Windows Defender. I am in the process of getting that done. It is just madness because I have only had this computer for 3 weeks.

Thank you Erik. I am doing that as soon as I finish this post.

Thank you all so much:)

[island_maverick]

Along with the excellent advice offered already, I'd reiterate the need for active spyware and adware blockers.

You can get an excellent, free spyware scanner & active blocker called sypbot, which you can get from download.com

Also from download.com, you can get Ad-Aware for free (by Lavasoft in case of search difficulty finding it on the download site), and this scans for tracking cookies and other adware. You can upgrade this software by purchasing the active (called SE-Plus) version, but I always found that so long as I scanned reguarly, say every couple of days, it still caught things before they got out of hand.

Anyway, I would recommend that you run both of these two programs regularly - they search for different types of programs. And, as with all scanning software, and it's been mentioned here already, remember to update the definitions regularly by checking for updates most days.

[Dezzie]

My spyware "solution"- it works for me.

Spyware Software- Triumvirate of Ad-Aware, Spybot and Windows Defender.
Anti-Virus- Currently Norton but I'm going to switch when my subscription runs out to something better, any suggestions?
Firewall-Using Norton's right now, though Zone Alarm is a great free alternative. Also I have a hardware firewall via. my router- is this overkill? Might this cause problems? I don't know but so far I'm pretty virus and spyware free.
Misc.- SECRETMAKER- Very good software with lots of good features.
Gmer.exe- Helps with pesky rootkits.
Hook Explorer- Another good rookit killer.
CC Cleaner- Get all that gunk out that viruses and spyware hide in and overall helps get your computer into better shape.
Hijack This- If anything ever gets really bad there are a bunch of great forums where you can use this software to get a log of all the running processes on your computer and then post it. People are so helpful(at least when I've had this problem), they practically walk you through it...

:) everybody, just :)!

[DogMa]

I just wanted to update this real quick.

Last weekend I installed Mozilla Firefox and I am not having near as much Spyware trouble. I have some, but not the amounts that I had while running IE6. I noticed that Firefox is running a bit faster also.

[Dezzie]

Awesome, DogMa. We're all rooting for ya. :)

[dharma 3]

Dam i hate spyware. Hope it leaves you alone in future DogMa :)

[DogMa]

It's doing it again!:mad:

I have done everything that everyone in this thread has suggested, but I am getting spyware again.

I had the issue resolved until I installed the newest Messenger IM. Since I have had it on here, the spyware is going crazy again.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.:)

[John]

Stop surfing porn. ;)

[DogMa]

But how else am I going to find pictures of you?

[Lostaway]

:rotfl:

[Maestra]

Thanks for bumping this thread. I've had a problem with spyware lately, which my school's shield will find and disable - but it keeps coming back. I'm going to try manually approving cookies for a while, to see if I can find the source. :Cheers:

[John]

:rotfl:

PMs are spyware free.

[DogMa]

*looks at watch*

*checks PM box for the 173rd time*

Are you sending them by snail mail, or what?

[John]

Damn. Looks like I accidentally sent it to dogbert (http://www.losttv-forum.com/forum/member.php?u=14183). What happened to yours?

[DogMa]

I dunno, but I think I made this little dude very happy.

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1938/fantasyislandjw1.jpg

[RangerMel]

Not to get off-topic or anything but my computer has been really slow lately. I run Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware, and AVG 8.0. All i find are the occassional tracking cookies. I even found a malicious software removal program on the Microsoft website. It found nothing. Anyone know of any other free spyware eliminators?

Or any other suggestions? I've deleted temp internet files, cleared my browser cache and defragged. I'm stumped. And annoyed. :mad:

[John]

Defrag. Reboot and Defrag again. That's always a good measure.

[XxMayhemxX]

first time in this thread.. Just wanted to say..

do not open or download any email attachment that says greeting card or e-card.. unless its from a ligit e-card site..

check the address, search for the site in google.. and see if its a legit e-card/e-greeting site before you open it...

there was some nasty e-greeting/e-card spyware goin around... and lately ive gotten about 10 of them in my junk mail folder.. you can open the email itself.. just dont download or click on the attachment...

if your not sure.. just delete it.. and if a family member or friend or loved one sent it, hopefully they will let you know either after they sent or in awhile.. Its better to be safe then sorry..

[azteclady]

So.

Techno moron here.

Can anyone explain to me what (and how) to "defrag" in small words?

Thank you.

[RoseArienh]

Az, what operating system do you have? (e.g. Windows XP, Vista, etc.)

You need to find your System Tools (in Vista, they are in the Accessories category). Once there, you should find "Disk Defragmenter." Click and follow directions. It does take a while if you haven't done it regularly, though. You might want to let run while you're off doing something else.

[azteclady]

:Hugglepounce: thank you thank you thank you!


(I think I've done it once... or twice... at some point in the past couple of year :oops: )


Windows XP

[RoseArienh]

Of course, after asking about your system, I've completely forgotten where it was in XP. But armed with that, I bet you'll find it. :o

[Dew]

Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defrag for XP

[azteclady]

Thank you to both :awwhug:

[RoseArienh]

1 Rose + 1 Dew = 1 pretty smart cookie. ;)