More spyware BS-HELP!!!

[I-SIG]

Y'all,

I've scanned and scanned in safe mode like half a dozen times with Adaware and Spybot. I'm not impressed so far. :mad:

So, I ran "hijack this." I attached the logs both before scans and afterwards. Any help would be appreciated.

Wes

[janmike]

I suggest spending some good money to totally protect your computer from the outside world. I have used Norton for years and have never had a problem. It's like NOT backing your computer up and then experiencing a crash. Norton may not be the choice for everyone, but you need to "lock down" your system by some means. I have NEVER had a problem since the 70's that my proactive PM has not been able to bail me out. Not having protection is like walking around with your bank card # and PIN tattooed on your forehead.

[mutelight]

Put those logfiles into this:
http://www.hijackthis.de/

It will help you see what might possibly be spyware.

Also I highly recommend Hitman Pro
http://www.hitmanpro.nl/
It automatically installs a few spyware scanners, updates them each time your run it and everything is automated through macros.

[I-SIG]

I'm running TrendMicro which ain't no slouch.

Wes

[PolkThug]

You need a firewall.

[I-SIG]

I guess I need a physical firewall, rather than electronic.

Wes

[Drumingman]

I use Avast 4.7 anti-virus which is free from C-Net and totally free all you have to do is register it and it updates all the time, Excellent program.
I do use the windows firewall which is not the best but it is a firewall.
On top of that I use Spy Sweeper for the infiltration that the aszholes try to load in my computer. With Spy Sweeper it finds the unwanted programs and easy as 1 2 3 you quarantine them and delete them, very easy.

For me it's a winning combination.

Some anti virus and firewall programs will make your computer run very Slow, not these.

Good Luck

[bobman1235]

Honestly, if you're having that much trouble removing the Spyware, chances are no matter how much you remove SOMETHING will still be in your system when you're done, you just won't notice it. Time to save off everythign that's important to you, and scrub your system, and concentrate on PREVENTION in the new setup, rather than reaction.

[jabrax]

I took a glance at you files....you have a lot of crap in there that i am not familiar. Here is what I usually when cleaning systems for friends.

First go to your add/remove programs and do unistall of all the S**t u dont use. Definately look for internet search programs, toolbars and other junk programs installed from using things like ecoupons etc.

First sign of a problem program is it will not let you remove or after you reboot the program comes back. Next step would be to google the program to find forums that identify files that need to be removed.

If you have problem finding information on one, let me know and I'll see if i can track it down for you. I'll be on business travel this week, but will try to squeeze some research in on downtime. Cleaning these things can take a couple of hours depending on how jammed up you r......I'll try to hang in there with you....Good luck

Jeff

[gatemplin]

I was told to be in the admin account when running antivirus etc, disable system restore for the searches, then restore after.

I used to use Norton, until a virus disabled it, and let its other virus friends in. Now I've been using AVG free trouble free for a long time.

[honestaquarian]

There is another thread on the forum about just the same sort of problem.I put up a long series of responses to help with the problem.Do a quick search for that thread.Again for all of those who are reading this.An integral part of the problem is Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer.Stop using that web browser as it has been PROVEN repeatedly to be unsafe!!!!!!!!!!!!

[markmarc]

I'm in charge of my school's technology program, so I have plenty of experience dealing with spyware crapola.

Save your files.
Make sure you have reinstall discs available.
Reformat your hardrive.
Install operating system
Install Windows Second Edition XP update
Reinstall programs
Install Norton's or MacAffee
Reinstall document files
If capable, make backup of system as it stands.

These steps have saved me hundreds of hours of labor.

[steveinaz]

Be real careful when car shopping on the internet. For some reason there are a number of car related sites that will adware/spyware you to death. My system at work was a mess. After running Adaware & SB S&D, they kept coming back, finally I opened task manager and watched for files using CPU resources. As soon as a particular file would show resources being used, I'd shut that process down---find it and delete it. It worked-- no more problem.

BE CAREFUL doing this: make sure you look at the files properties before deleting it. Most have suspicious names so they're easy to spot. Then reboot.

[I-SIG]

Update:

I was able to copy all my personal files to CDR's and ended up using my Toshiba recovery disc to do a tactical nuke job on it.

I immediately updated the free Norton AV on the system and ran the Wnidows updates.

Next is to get Webroot and I guess I'll go ahead and get me a wirelss router/cable-modem with a nice firewall.

Wes

[I-SIG]

There is another thread on the forum about just the same sort of problem.I put up a long series of responses to help with the problem.Do a quick search for that thread.Again for all of those who are reading this.An integral part of the problem is Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer.Stop using that web browser as it has been PROVEN repeatedly to be unsafe!!!!!!!!!!!!

I used some of those alternative programs you mentioned. No better than Adaware SE or S&D.

Wes

[Willow]

I was told to be in the admin account when running antivirus etc, disable system restore for the searches, then restore after.

I used to use Norton, until a virus disabled it, and let its other virus friends in. Now I've been using AVG free trouble free for a long time.

Graham, I'm using the Free AVG as well. I also have a router wich has built in firewall...knock on wood so far so good.

[steveinaz]

I never have a problem @ home because I run a Toshiba PCX-5000 firewall/cable modem. It's at work (go figure) that I have alot of spyware problems...

[I-SIG]

I never have a problem @ home because I run a Toshiba PCX-5000 firewall/cable modem. It's at work (go figure) that I have alot of spyware problems...

Is that wireless?

Wes

[steveinaz]

Yes:
Wireless encrypted (200ft)
5 ethernet ports
1 usb

[Demiurge]

There is another thread on the forum about just the same sort of problem.I put up a long series of responses to help with the problem.Do a quick search for that thread.Again for all of those who are reading this.An integral part of the problem is Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer.Stop using that web browser as it has been PROVEN repeatedly to be unsafe!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's called browsing habits, man. If I browsed at work like I do at home I would have serious problems with my computer system, and I don't seek out 'bad' websites. I used Firefox at home, and we use IE at work and haven't ever had a problem.

[bobman1235]

Since someone mentioned encrypted wireless, just keep in mind that "encrypted" is nonsense. I've SEEN wireless packet sniffers that can get your security key in about 2 minutes and suddenly your connection is no longer "encrypted". So just watch waht you use on those wireless connections.

[honestaquarian]

It's called browsing habits, man. If I browsed at work like I do at home I would have serious problems with my computer system, and I don't seek out 'bad' websites. I used Firefox at home, and we use IE at work and haven't ever had a problem.
How do you define"bad"websites?For the average joe that is a misty cloud up in the sky.I am glad that you have not had any problems at work,but your personal experience does not account for the hundreds of millions of others out there around the world.Up until VERY recently every computer i cleaned out and installed Firefox and Netscape browsers on STOPPED having spyware problems.It would appear the Spyware gods have found a way to get their crap in in those two web browsers.It's just harder to do than with Internet Explorer.

[Disc Jockey]

Since someone mentioned encrypted wireless, just keep in mind that "encrypted" is nonsense. I've SEEN wireless packet sniffers that can get your security key in about 2 minutes and suddenly your connection is no longer "encrypted". So just watch waht you use on those wireless connections.

It depends on what encryption you're using. WEP is little better than nothing at all and is highly vulnerable. WPA is good if you use a strong passphrase (20 or more random characters) but is vulnerable to dictionary attacks. WPA2 is very strong, using AES encryption. Any router you buy now will have WPA2 but if you have older wireless cards, they may not support it.

Always change the default SSID, change the default password and use a strong passphrase.

[Demiurge]

How do you define"bad"websites?For the average joe that is a misty cloud up in the sky.I am glad that you have not had any problems at work,but your personal experience does not account for the hundreds of millions of others out there around the world.Up until VERY recently every computer i cleaned out and installed Firefox and Netscape browsers on STOPPED having spyware problems.It would appear the Spyware gods have found a way to get their crap in in those two web browsers.It's just harder to do than with Internet Explorer.

Erm....Internet Explorer has problems because it's always been the main target (see Microsoft) for hackers. Firefox, to your average hacker, is small beans. Firefox is by definition safer, but any IT person will tell you that it's your browsing habits that get you in trouble.

[maggiefan]

I installed Ad Aware SE the other day and every time I run it, it stops and won't do anything after that. It gets about to 78,000 files and just quits. I can't even do anything with the spyware that it found up to that point.

[honestaquarian]

Erm....Internet Explorer has problems because it's always been the main target (see Microsoft) for hackers. Firefox, to your average hacker, is small beans. Firefox is by definition safer, but any IT person will tell you that it's your browsing habits that get you in trouble.
Firefox had over a HUNDRED MILLION DOWNLOADS in just less than it's first year out.It is currently the number two web browser behind IE.You have not explained the whole browsing habits though.What you have said so far is kind of like me saying don't drive in the right lane on that three lane road when i am giving someone driving directions.If all i tell them is that they have to go down that road for thirty miles and say not to drive in the right lane-but do not tell them WHY NOT............................................
You have to explain what bad websites and browsing habits are when your trying to help someone.I know what you are talking about,but what about the guy asking for help?

[honestaquarian]

I installed Ad Aware SE the other day and every time I run it, it stops and won't do anything after that. It gets about to 78,000 files and just quits. I can't even do anything with the spyware that it found up to that point.
Go to www.majorgeeks.com and try downloading Spybot Search and Destroy.As well as Microsoft Windows Defender.Also try using Advanced Spyware remover.All of these are free from the above site.Look on the left side of the screen for an alphabetical list of program types.Go to "Spyware tools" and look them all up.Remember you MUST have more than one antispy and antivirus program.They ALL have different blacklists which means they all look for different things.

[Drumingman]

Go to www.majorgeeks.com and try downloading Spybot Search and Destroy.As well as Microsoft Windows Defender.Also try using Advanced Spyware remover.All of these are free from the above site.Look on the left side of the screen for an alphabetical list of program types.Go to "Spyware tools" and look them all up.Remember you MUST have more than one antispy and antivirus program.They ALL have different blacklists which means they all look for different things.


Disagree with you on these statements. I use one anti virus and one spysweeper and I never have problems. some anti virus programs are not compatible with others and can really f up the speed at which you desire to compute. :confused:

[honestaquarian]

Disagree with you on these statements. I use one anti virus and one spysweeper and I never have problems. some anti virus programs are not compatible with others and can really f up the speed at which you desire to compute. :confused:
Firstly,Once you go online you can NEVER be ABSOLUTELY SURE that your computer is completely free of crap.Secondly,unless you are running as much dual channel RAM on a 64 bit computer as i am you should NEVER,EVER,EVER run more than one antispy and antivirus program simultaneously.Thirdly,you ARE CORRECT that some anitvirus programs are simply not compatible with each other.Just try some others out there.There ARE plenty of them.I currently have three.Clam free antivirus.AVG antivirus and Avast! antivirus.In my case they were the only ones that i could find that work with 64 bit operating systems.As i am running Windows XP Professional x64.The 64 bit version of WIndows XP Pro.

Like i said in another thread.I went over a coworkers house to clean out his laptop becasuse he was having problems with pop ups.Even AFTER Ad Aware SE found OVER 700 OBJECTS!!!! Every antispy program that i installed and ran afterwards STILL found more crap.Remember they ALLHAVE DIFFERENT BLACKLISTS,WHICH MEANS THEY ALL LOOK FOR DIFFERENT THINGS.Try downloading one or more of the programs that i suggested and run it.DOn't be surprised if it finds some crap.Goo to www.yahoo.com and try their toolbar with antispy.It's free and very effective as well.