Curse

Risus · May 14, 2008, 08:50 PM // 20:50

Ok dunno how it happened, but yesterday, I logged on, my backround was a different one that said:
WARNING!
Spyware has been detected in your computer. Please go to ________________.com to download anti-spyware.

Next, popups saying the same thing kept coming up. I had about 50 of them, so I decided to go the easy way and use Task Manager. 1 Ctrl+Alt+Delete later, I get a popup that says the computer admin has disabled Task Manager for me (I am the admin...). My computer has been slowed by about 90% and I don't know what to do! Please help.

Suggest anti-spyware programs (I have webroot Spy Sweeper trial version atm to block more installations) and methods of removing spyware. I don't wanna do a hard drive wipe b/c when I bought my computer I didn't get a CD with the XP OS on it...

GenericWasDanny · May 14, 2008, 08:56 PM // 20:56

hmm.. you can get AVG virus checker trials and spybot trials free i think

do them both once, twice, three times. and then look around in your program files for anything that looks suspicious..

be careful though, because deleting certain files will break your computer

Sisyphus · May 14, 2008, 08:59 PM // 20:59

spybot search and destroy is a good freeware program.
I had something similar to this a few months ago and used a program called SmitFraudFix. It may be a good idea to run any programs you try in safe mode and if you have any virus protection, run that in safe mode as well.
Hope that helps, but there are many more technical people on this forum that may have better suggestions for you.

Covah · May 14, 2008, 09:06 PM // 21:06

Adaware, Spy bot S&D, AVG Anti Virus 8.0 and or AVG Spyware. All free.

Thizzle · May 14, 2008, 09:10 PM // 21:10

That's all I got to say to you.

Tarun · May 14, 2008, 09:10 PM // 21:10

Risus, head over to http://wiki.lunarsoft.net/wiki/PC_Maintenance and follow the guide step by step.

When you're done, I'll help you secure your PC.

snaek · May 14, 2008, 09:15 PM // 21:15

cc cleaner
spybot s&d
avg

all 3 r free

download and update them all
clear ur registry/startup
boot ur pc into safe mode
run them all
then reboot

Senrath · May 14, 2008, 09:23 PM // 21:23

I use both Spybot: Search and Destroy and AdAware free to keep my computer spyware free.

absolutcrobi · May 14, 2008, 09:26 PM // 21:26

Startup in safe mode with networking. Download Adaware Spybot S&D.
Open internet explorer, then hit tools then internet options. Then clear your history, temporary internet files and cookies. Run disk cleanup and have it delete all temporary files, also reset your homepage if it changed.
Turn off System Restore, go to control panel then system, click on the system restore tab and check turn off system restore.
Now install Adaware, run the updates and run a full scan, removing anything is finds. If it asks you to restart to remove something then go ahead and reboot let it finish the scan remove anything it found.
Repeat the process with Spybot, updating, immunize, then run a full scan, cleaning anything it found. Reboot to run a scan if it asks, otherwise reboot your system.
Goto microsofts website and download windows defender, install update and run a full scan there, removing anything it finds. Last step, download Firefox and use that as your web browser from now on.

PM me if you have any more problems.

SnipiousMax · May 14, 2008, 09:28 PM // 21:28

Format and reinstall your OS. You're never gonna clean it completely with Spyware/AV apps... especially free ones. You're best bet is start completely over.

Tarun · May 14, 2008, 09:34 PM // 21:34

There's no need to format, this stuff can be easily cleaned.

IrishCB · May 14, 2008, 09:35 PM // 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risus

Ok dunno how it happened, but yesterday, I logged on, my backround was a different one that said:
WARNING!
Spyware has been detected in your computer. Please go to ________________.com to download anti-spyware.

Next, popups saying the same thing kept coming up. I had about 50 of them, so I decided to go the easy way and use Task Manager. 1 Ctrl+Alt+Delete later, I get a popup that says the computer admin has disabled Task Manager for me (I am the admin...). My computer has been slowed by about 90% and I don't know what to do! Please help.

Suggest anti-spyware programs (I have webroot Spy Sweeper trial version atm to block more installations) and methods of removing spyware. I don't wanna do a hard drive wipe b/c when I bought my computer I didn't get a CD with the XP OS on it...

Had the same issue, AVG and Adaware cleaned it right up.

Ulin · May 14, 2008, 09:39 PM // 21:39

Gonna have to agree with one of the previous post.... once infected it's time to fdisk and reinstall, the solution to this in the future if you don't already have one is to image your system with something like this.

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...cts/trueimage/

After you are back up and running I have had great success with Kaspersky Internet Security which can be tried on a 30 day trial.

http://www.kaspersky.com/

absolutcrobi · May 14, 2008, 09:39 PM // 21:39

oh and change all your passwords

IrishCB · May 14, 2008, 09:57 PM // 21:57

Does anyone read the OP's posts? He said he didn't get an install disk with his PC. So the cheapest way is to use AVG+AdAware. Otherwise he has to go out and purchase a new OS or spend hours upon hours with his PC's support to send him a disk; btw wont happen because they'll tell you to send it in if its under warranty. If they do end up sending you a disk, its just going to be a system restore CD. No need to get paranoid "Oh Nos I have to Reinstall my OS"; you gunna reinstall/image every time you get a virus? They make anti-virus for a reason.

isamu kurosawa · May 14, 2008, 10:01 PM // 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnipiousMax

Format and reinstall your OS. You're never gonna clean it completely with Spyware/AV apps... especially free ones. You're best bet is start completely over.

Best advice anyone can give. Also a good reason you should keep backupss.

The "background" you mentioned is also malicious software. clicking the link will only make it worse. That particular virus seems to get around alot, i remember working in tech guys having to sort out 5 machines like that in a single day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrishCB

you gunna reinstall/image every time you get a virus? They make anti-virus for a reason.

Anti-Virus apps are a preventative measure. They cannot fully clear a system thats been infected for so long with no anti-virus installed to start with. although prevx does well.

Fril Estelin · May 14, 2008, 10:08 PM // 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by isamu kurosawa

Best advice anyone can give. Also a good reason you should keep backupss.

No it's not. First the guy can't reinstall. Second it's much faster to correct, unless you don't care what you've got on your drive.

Quote:

Anti-Virus apps are a preventative measure. They cannot fully clear a system thats been infected for so long with no anti-virus installed to start with. although prevx does well.

Unless you're infected with a rootkit or one very virulent virus, a good AV can clean a lot of stuff. Not all, but then you can find dedicated removal programs for the viruses not cleaned. But the guy opnly mentions spywares, so it won't really help.

And prefer Avira Antivir to AVG.

Anti-spywares: Lavasoft AD-Aware and Spybot S&D.

IrishCB · May 14, 2008, 10:18 PM // 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fril Estelin

No it's not. First the guy can't reinstall. Second it's much faster to correct, unless you don't care what you've got on your drive.

Unless you're infected with a rootkit or one very virulent virus, a good AV can clean a lot of stuff. Not all, but then you can find dedicated removal programs for the viruses not cleaned. But the guy opnly mentions spywares, so it won't really help.

And prefer Avira Antivir to AVG.

Anti-spywares: Lavasoft AD-Aware and Spybot S&D.

Im glad you said this and not me

Avira is an excelent AV, but I had this Same Exact virus/mware and AVG cleared it, Not saying Avira wont, I just don't know if it will.

DarkFlame · May 14, 2008, 10:30 PM // 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Covah

Adaware, Spy bot S&D, AVG Anti Virus 8.0 and or AVG Spyware. All free.

To add to the list, grab A-squared as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by absolutcrobi

oh and change all your passwords

Not while on that computer. Use someone else's secure pc to change whatever pws you have, if its a concern.

zamial · May 14, 2008, 10:55 PM // 22:55

Now that everyone has posted how to fix the problem. I will now tell you how to prevent the problem from reoccurring.

This is no way implies you have done any of this but are good general guidlines.

1. Do not go to "adult" sites.

2. Do not click on banner adds or pop-ups. With pop-ups never click on them ANYWHERE, even if it looks like a [x] button, I gaurentee you it is not. The ENTIRE thing is a giant button. use Alt+f4 to close these.

3. Do not use performance inhancers/registry cleaners/adware/malware/spyware programs that you do not know. Most of these will fill your computer with the said problem then try to charge you to rid yourself of them. There are however good/real programs as mentioned above that are "the real deal".

4. Do not open E-mail attatchmentments that you are not 100% sure are safe.

5. Do not go to gold selling sites/game cheat sites that you do not know.

6. Do not use "file sharing" apps. an example of this is limewire.

7. Weekly run anti- programs that are the "real deal".

8. Set up a free E-mail account, yahoo works excellent for this, to "sign up" for things. If what you signed up for does not spam you, you should be able to change the E-mail address.

9. Bewary of anything free, including advice, always get a second opinion from a different source.

10. Never let you Knot-headed freinds have access to your equipment unsupervised.

These are general rules, that many techs assume people follow out of common sence.

I follow all these rules and 99% of the time my anti- programs only find cookies, which btw are harmless.