Spyware has gone beyond a joke now

My machine appears to be riddled with no way of getting rid of some of this spyware that is on it. Its getting so bad I am almost tempted to start using Linux. I like using Windows, but am getting sick of Casino popups that cannot be got rid of using the plethora of spyware killing packages out there. Or the porn popups that try and install software on my mates, and when you say no, they say "you must click yes". WTF???

 

same here mate
started last week and no amount of trying can get rid of the shite

 

Do you get those MSN Messenger popup ads? They're extremely irritating and I haven't figured out how to get rid of them.

 

I wish the close button on pop-ups were labelled something more along the lines of your feelings when you click on it. Fcuk off for instance.

 

Try opening the main MSN messenger window, go to tools > options, click the General tab and make sure "Display MSN Today when messenger signs in is unticked", if its what i think it might be.

All I ever seem to do these days is try and get rid of spyware

 

Martin, certain sites are now carrying pop-ups (see empireonline) where they have an 'X' and the word 'Close' in the corner of the pop_up but when you select the 'X' it doesn't close the window and opens up the link to wherever it's advertising !

So you have to close that window down and try again with the pop-up until you realise that you have to select 'Close' .

Feckers !

 

I got rid of mine using ad-aware by Lavasoft (I think) and started using Mozilla, seems to help. You could try pop-up killers such as Google's Toolbar etc. Norton Interner Security's parental control also stops certain non-desirable sites from being accessed.

 

people who do this are immoral, scum of the world and I would rip their head and hands off. pc's are private property, and they are trespassing and invading.just cos its virtual and you can't do anything makes it all the worse. They do cos they can.
perhaps muslims are right in cutting people's hands off, maybe their fingers should be cut off if they are caught, how many would do this then?
they should be banned from computers under pain of death or torture.
The sooner laws are made the better, and enforced, traceable.
ms have the technology, but obviously not the will for this sort, when you see the crap they do with hotmail, they really could change the computer world if they wanted, as they have cash to burn, I don't know why they will not put it to use in ways that make pc life better.

 

Don't worry, I'm familiar with them :grrr:

 

There are some sites now saying that spyware are effectively no better than Trojan viruses. With that in mind, I'd say its about time that there are laws made against this. Wrecking peoples machines in this way should be punishable by prison IMO.

 

BTW, I do some to have had some limited success getting rid.

Firstly, you need to find any program that might contain spyware, and uninstall it.

Secondly, download Spy Sweeper, Adaware and Spybot.

Run Spy Sweeper first, let it update, do a sweet, clean system, reboot, repeat.

Repeat that process with the other two programs.

Empty the temp and temporary internet files (do this with Windows Explorer)

Finally do a virus scan.

My system finally seems clean after hours of messing around this morning.

 

Spybot usually does the trick. Make sure it has the latest update and then configure it to run at startup. TBH though I've never had spyware on my machine except after I had installed Kazaa . I see no end of it on my mates' machines though (and then you're truly has to clean it all up ) - god knows what sites these people (and you Paul) are visiting that's installing all that shit .

Of course, if you use IE rather than FireFox you're more vulnerable . All the "hijack" programs that intercept your browser requests and install bogus spyware toolbars are aimed at IE.

Michael.

 

Sounds like you may be describing the abuse of the Windows Messenger Service (this is not the same thing as Windows Messenger). If so it is really easy to disable (I'm assuming you have XP); go to control panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services and locate 'Messenger' from the list, double click it and set the drop down to 'disabled'. Job done, no more nasty pop-ups!

Tony.

 

I think you guys need to get hold of SPYWARE BLASTER .
It,s a free program and it differs to the normal programs by blocking the spyware BEFORE it gets on to your computer .
Try majorgeeks .com or Snapfiles for the download .
I still keep Spybot , just to check , but since I,ve been using spyware blaster , nothing has got onto the computer .
touch wood .

 

Every little helps.

If anyone is using firefox then I find the AdBlock rather good at keeping popups and other nasties from your machine. Another but of help can be found by visiting the Tools | Options | Web Featers and then restricting the Java and Java Script oiptions. Now I know this might stop some sites functioning bt for those where you need Java all you need to do is switch it on when it is needed. IIRC this should also help stop the Activx crap invading your kit. I make use of Angitum Outpost Firewall and this has rather a good ablock function in addition to other firewall type code.

Change the security settings on your browser.
Change your browser to Mozilla Firefox.
Install adblock extention.
Visit the Microsoft update site and pick your updates.
Install spyware killers (spybot, ad-aware and Grisoft) and update each day.
Run spyware killers in resident mode and do full systems scans every week.
Visit artistic or dodgy sites via a proxy.



Auric

 

Tried Spyware blaster. Seems to not work to me.

They are not messenger popups, these are fully fledged IE popups.

All of MY problems I have now traced back to an app called MSN Plus. Dont install it!!!

 

I use a router which has a hardware router so I don't get any of them windows popup messages because the firewall automaticaly rejects the IP address because it knows it does not have permison to effectly hack my computer.

I use firefox as well which helps matters. SP2 helps those using I.E.

The biggest hassle spyware courses me is people asking me to fix it on their computers. They have broaband using a modem, no firewall etc and wonder why they have stuff like Sasser.

 

Same here . I'm almost wondering whether it's worth me setting up a private "PC doctor" service, judging by the demand from mine and my wife's friends there has to be a huge demand for this kind of thing.

Never had a Spyware problem on my own machine but I get plenty of experience fixing everyone elses

Michael.

 

It's when you get a call from someone you've not talked to for ages and their second sentence starts "I wonder if you'd mind having a look ..."

You just know what's comming !

 

Have you lot not heard of firewalls?

Spyware is very good indeed at getting onto machines, but if you have a firewall that only lets registered applications talk to the net, they can't do anything. As soon as they try, the firewall asks you if it can, which alerts you to its presence. They make the names as innocuous as possible, so I was asked if Notepad.exe could access the net... Since when does notepad use the net (excepting, of course, IRC which can be regarded as multi-player notepad)

I use Sygate Personal Firewall (it's free from www.sygate.com), and Zonealarm (from www.zonelabs.com) is another good one. I also have a hardware firewall. Hardware is good for stopping stuff getting in. Software is good for stopping stuff from getting out.