Ah, crap...

[Mad78]

Never happend to me... Very strange.

 

@Tofu: i use Avast also free and i find it to be better than AVG.

[Krytos]

Okay, one slight problem. Everytime I try to use AdAware, I get a "Fatal System Error" blue-screen message.

 

Ahh ... damn

 

Hmm, did you download any other spyware removal tools? Do they work?

[SOCL]

Okay, one slight problem. Everytime I try to use AdAware, I get a "Fatal System Error" blue-screen message.

 

Ahh ... damn

 

Hmm, did you download any other spyware removal tools? Do they work?

To tell you the truth, ever since I uninstalled all of my spyware-removing, virus-scanning rubbish, everything has been working better. Not as good as it used to before my idiot friend from grade-school sent me a link to his site which subsequentally nearly killed my computer (and is, incidentally, the day--in fact, the minutes, this all started), but better.

 

I uninstalled AdAware and will try later. I've nearly given up, to tell you the truth, and have merely got used to having stuff pop up and having to close it down.

[Evaders99]

But you still have spyware. Really you'll want to use HijackThis to scan your system, and post to one of the major antispyware communities. They can help you better to pinpoint the problem and give you directions on how to remove them

[SOCL]

But you still have spyware. Really you'll want to use HijackThis to scan your system, and post to one of the major antispyware communities. They can help you better to pinpoint the problem and give you directions on how to remove them

HijackThis, you said? I'll give it a shot.

[Krytos]

Ok, this is a summary post for everyone looking to help secure their Internet browsing. This'll include previously posted links as well as some new (admin, this may be something to re-post as a sticky somewhere?)

What is Spyware

What is Malware

Preventing Spyware - Microsoft Information Website

NOTE: All products listed here are trusted and not just randomly found. I've either used them, had them recommended to myself by people of high stature, or another user has recommended them

 

Update Your Browser:

Newly released browsers have new inbuilt safety features to protect users against pop-ups, hackers, phishing sites etc.

 

Internet Explorer 7 - Downloadable, or passed on via automatic updates. Lots of feature improvements in IE7 that puts it in league of Firefox for once - and a lot safer. If you use IE6, I'd highly recommend updating as well as reading the website about how to use IE7's new features.

FireFox 2 - Mozilla's next instalment to the ever popular FireFox series. Again, there are improvements to features and safety in the browser (I will point out an article at SlashDot did mention, however, there may be some serious flaws with FF2 and that it would be safer to stick with FF1.5 until an update is released).

Opera 9 - Another Internet browser up for choice. Opera is quiet nice, I've used it before. It's secure, and low level - it also comes with a few inbuilt and downloadable plug-ins that are nice. It comes with P2P capabilities built into the browser, which are easy and apparently safe. I'm not much of a p2p-er, but I've used Opera for it once or twice and it's easy.

It also has inbuilt support for Speech Recognition (though it is an additional download of roughly 11mb) - which is really great fun, browsing by talking (if you've got a mic). I've even used Opera's abilities to create a multi-modal website where it was properly set up for speech browsing.

 

On line Scanners:

There are now online scanners, designed to scan infected computers over the Internet.

Live Care Online Scanner - An online spyware and malware scanner. Use this before installing your actual software removal tools, because some malware and even spyware will be able to hide itself or corrupt the removal tool if the tool is installed after the infection.

I use to know of more online scanners - however, I can't find them at the present. Please NOTE: DO NOT SEARCH FOR SPYWARE REMOVAL TOOLS VIA GOOGLE ETC - CHANCES ARE YOU WILL GET ACTUAL SPYWARE INSTEAD - so play it safe and go by recommendations of trailed software and websites.

 

Spyware and Malware Removal Tools:

Various software kits designed to scan your computer and remove malicious software and/or Spyware - a must these days for any system (Mac or PC - even if those ads say Macs are immune, sorry that's a load of crap).

 

Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE Personal Addition - Probably the most popular Malware removal tool around. Not only popular but highly, highly effective. This, I strongly recommend for anyone and everyone to have.

AVG Free Anti-Spyware - Released by AVG, who also make a powerful and free Anti-Virus software tool, allow free download of this spyware removal tool for non-business environments. If their Anti-Virus program is anything to go by, this will be another powerful option. However, I have no experience with this Spyware removal tool.

Spybot Search and Destroy - Another powerful Spyware Removal tool. This program doesn't really play around with looking good as much as functioning well. If you suffer from Spyware, I recommend getting this in addition to other Spyware removal tools.

A-Square - An list of malware/spyware removal toolkits, that was recommended to me. Use the download link and not the purchase.

Windows Defender - Microsoft's free Spyware removal toolkit - meaning you need a legit copy of Windows as well as going through a validation scan. Simple, with a familiar interface to Explorer. Defender is powerful, streamline and supported by Microsoft and also runs constantly protecting you as you surf the net. It also supports scanning your system with (Something you should do as well, just because it helps protect as you surf doesn't mean you're completely protected. It's best to thoroughly scan your computer once a week, or more realistically once a month) quick (runs in the background without noticing, but lets a lot of spyware slip though it's fingers) and full scans. Again, I recommend this one - I run it as my primary defence now with AdAware to double check the system every now and again.

Malicious Software Removal Tool - Another piece of software from Microsoft, this one aimed at removing Malicious software. Nothing much need be said here, it's another tool created by Microsoft. Again, I'd recommend this program - but also have another program to back it up.

HiJackThis - Recommended by Evaders ... enough said

More info? Well, it's used to identify your potential spyware on your system for diagnosing by other people.

 

Forums and Communities:

Forums to help out with Spyware and the sort.

 

Lavasoft's Forum

Microsoft's Spynet - Requires you to join the network. If you install Windows Defender, you will be asked to join the network during installation at some point. I'm yet to join.

Spybots support forum - Doesn't look like this particular area allows replying, just browsing.

Windows Live Care Community - Seems very limited, but I've only browsed it.

 

Virus Scanners:

I'm pretty sure everyone here knows what they are

 

AVG Free Virus-Scanner - A free virus scanner recommended by Darth Tofu. The program is powerful, and comes highly recommended.

Avast's Virus Cleaner - Intended to remove virus' if you know you have one.

Avast Virus Scanner - A free virus scanner, quiet powerful and effective. I personally use this. The downside is you need to register to keep updating.

McCafee Products - Purchasable software. McCafee use to be highly recommended, though I cannot really say these days. If they're like Norton, than they've lost their edge and just like to charge you a package and stop you from using other anti-virus software.

Norton Anti-virus - Recommended by those who use it and haven't used other software suits, as well as other powerful companies. Personally, I'd stay away from it. Recently they've began to pull their thumb out, but with the host of annoyances you get from the program and the fact you have to pay for it when there are free suits available there's little point.

Kaspersky - Recommended by a friend, however it does require purchasing.

[tacoJoemeru]

Oh yeah.. After I make a completly new thread!

[JediHunter]

I know I'm kinda adding to this a bit late.. but the IT guy at my work says that Ad-aware is actually pretty bad for your computer because it does something to... your..... winsock? i think it is.. i cant recall now.. shoot.. something about how your computer connects to the internet it screws up.. he suggests Windows Defender.. so.. just thought i would add that..

[Mad78]

I actually had a problem with my WINSOCK recently. Thought i would have to reinstall Windows but as it turned out I just needed to enter something into he command line and all was fixed.

[Evaders99]

Ad-aware does not change your Winsock configurations. Might not have downloaded it from the correct site

[Eagle]

Speaking of crap, I have a lot of spyware and popups and such on my computer and need to find the best remover of such and virus scan available. Suggestions are MORE than welcome!

Doesn´t sound very nice. You definetly should make a HijackThis-scan. If wanted I can take a look at it and we´ll see what I can do. You can send the log to me as a pm.

[SOCL]

Speaking of crap, I have a lot of spyware and popups and such on my computer and need to find the best remover of such and virus scan available. Suggestions are MORE than welcome!

Doesn´t sound very nice. You definetly should make a HijackThis-scan. If wanted I can take a look at it and we´ll see what I can do. You can send the log to me as a pm.

Hey, thanks, Eagle! Sometime this weekend, I'll be in touch.

[Eagle]

I´m armed and ready!