A little while ago, I was bored and just randomly searching when the computer started popping up window after window, faster than I could close them. Then before I knew what was going on, a little tile appeared in the middle of the screen that said super porn or giant porn or hot porn or something like that. My modem made a click(yes I'm a dialer) and the computer started dialing a nine hundred number. I reached around and yarded the phone cord out of the back of the computer because I couldn't close this new box. Here's a brief list of the damage: Explorer set to zero security, homepage changed to some spyware warning and can't be changed back, extra connection added to dial up list, and worst, no access to any control panel functions in the computer! I spent about two hours I'm guessing trying to find and remove this program and undo all the crap it did. I was getting pretty frustrated and was almost ready to give up when I found something in XP called restore. Apparantly, this basically brings your computer back in time to whenever you choose. Must be some sort of automatic backup thing. Good idea. Anyway, I can't seem to find any trace of that program, and all its effects seem to have been reversed, but I'd feel better if I had a piece of software designed to find and obliterate hostile bastard programs like this. Any one have anything like that? Thanks in advance to the computer experts on here.
These will help. Ad-aware. (spyware scanner) http://204.185.85.253/Downloads/Files/aaw6181.exe Spybot (spyware scanner) http://204.185.85.253/Downloads/Files/spybotsd12.exe Pop-up Stopper (the name says it all...works great) http://204.185.85.253/Downloads/Files/PopUpStopperFree.exe I run all three on my systems. They are legitimate programs with no spyware in them. Click on the links and either save them or run them from the current location. You will have to update spybot. Make sure you select the Aus site for the update download. The other sites are quirky and can lock up spybot. Dont panic if it does, just close it down and restart it and try another download site. Good luck.... JP
All the programs that jpollard recommended work great and will cut down on that happen again but you will also want to delete your cookies as well, this will help get rid of the ones that the programs might miss. The programs will remove the ones in your registry that you shouldn't mess with. Good luck
There's also a much more effective method to remove old programs than what is standard issue with XP. You can download a 5-day free trial of the program then uninstall it after 5 days (or pay $10 to register). "Add/Remove Platinum 2004 v1.0" Add/Remove Platinum 2004 offers an easier and more efficient way of uninstalling programs that you no longer need on your computer with a click of a button. This program also has the added ability of locating invalid uninstaller information as well as taking the appropriate action in removing those corrupted programs. Removing programs with bad uninstallers help optimize the registry as well as maintaining cleaner installation information for future programs. This program also offers a software audit feature that allows one to print or save a report, which includes a list of all the programs installed on your computer. Overall this is the better uninstall solution for all Windows operating systems." download it here --> http://www.garfinc.com/Add_Remove_Platinum_2004.zip
Thanks a lot guys. I'm going over all the otions you have given me. Terry, I deleted all the cookies last night. there were a lot of ads and tracker type things in there! Paula (my other half) and I will go over all the different programs when she gets back into town at the end of the week and until then, it's this site and email only. If it matters, I was doing an Altavista search when this happened for the word pictures.
Another must-have is "Registry Healer". It gets rid of all those pesky cookies in your registry that a normal uninstall doesn't get. It also locates and asks you if you want to delete: · Invalid paths, · Invalid fonts, · Invalid application paths, · Invalid shared DLLs, · Obsolete Start Menu items, · Invalid registered help files, · Run entries, · Unused software entries, · Empty keys. Trial program can be found at http://www.fixregistry.com/first/rhsetup.exe I recommend creating a restore point before running the program (as the program suggests in the process). Good luck, Rick Good luck
Geez. I promise, this is the last recommendation - use the google tool bar found at http://toolbar.google.com/. It also stops pop-ups AND gives you a search blank in the tool bar (rather than having to go to a search engine site).
I understand what you are going through, I work with computers for a living nad have to deal with a lot of that spyware/hacker cr@p. I don't wish ill on anyone, but sometimes I wish we could tke the people who create this destructive stuff and duct tape them to a tree some where deep in the forrest.
I'd recommend an MSCONFIG as well what you do is click on start go to run type in MSCONFIG, in windows xp its pretty easy, just put the bullet in selective start up, take the check out of load startup items. In windows 98 and ME same sorta thing but on the startup tab and uncheck boxes DO NOT UNCHECK Explorer or systray. also becareful what your unchecking. You can go to http://www.compulink-support.com/technotes/startup.htm#1 to check to see which ones are essentail or not. give that a shot, also the spyware killers that other people have suggested are a good bet as well
jpollard Just installed and ran that spybot after updating like you said. It found a few scrap that I missed last night using the recovery deal. Thanks for the tip!
You're problem definately sounds like 'data miner' programs got embedded while downloading a web site, or two. The Ad-Aware program or one like it will help get rid of the problem. I invested in the full Ad-Aware program and it absolutely works.
Thanks again guys. I'm now running all three of the programs Jim suggested. I think any others would be redundant, but I really do appreciate everyones input.
Good...this will keep you a lot safer. Remember, you should probably run spybot and ad-aware at least once a week and keep them updated. Nothing is fool proof so surf carefully....
