I'm tired of spyware and pop-ups so I ..

Internet Explorer is a magnet for pop-ups and spyware crap these days. It's the worse it's ever been and surfing the web is bit different these days as a result. My sister got a new PC a month ago and it was already bogged down with spyware EXE's loading on startup. It's out of hand.
I though I would share some tips that have helped me:
1) Get "Spybot search and destroy" from here: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html Scan your system and clean out the junk.
2) START/ RUN/ then type MSCONFIG. Click on the STARTUP tab to bring up all programs that load on startup.If you see any EXE's in the Windows or Windows/system32 folder that you don't recognize, google them. If they're Spyware, delete them.
3) Delete the blue E Internet Explorer shortcut from your desktop, go to http://www.mozilla.org and DOWNLOAD FIREFOX. It's a great browser that isn't the crap magnet IE is.. It also has "tabbed browsing", allowing multiple web pages on separate tabs within one bowser Window.

We all have the net in common so I thought I would share. Good luck!

I mostly use IE and windows 2000 professional. I turn off 'write access' on certain folders to stop all unwanted exe downloads. If I recall, the consumer windows XP OS doesn't have that option and is a magnet for spyware.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 12, 2004 03:20 PM: Message edited by: MethodAir ]</font>

I totally agree with you Steve. In fact I posted a message, on another forum I frequent, complaining about how the internet was becoming unusable because of all the viruses/spyware out there and I was ridiculed for being "computer ignorant" and "conspiracy paranoid".

I have the latest version of Spybot but I still have IE.

Thanks for the tips! [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

I'll Second that !!
Cheers Steve,
Ive just downloaded The latest Version of Spybot after your advice, and even though my virus s/ware and firewall are up to date i could not believe the shiit that was found on my machine !

i may be seeing things,please correct me if im wrong but as im only on a dial up could cleaning my system just 10 minutes ago have anything to do with the fact my pc is at the speed it was (online) when i bought it new??

I have heard from other sources that Firefox is the browser to go with if you want to eliminate spyware and shit like that. I haven't made the switch yet personally though. I use the google toolbar with IE to stop pop-ups, but i dont know how if it is any good at stopping spyware.

4) get a mac.

Just got this in my email this AM.


Mozilla sec. advisory

Another cool program is Purge IE, it really give IE a thorough cleaning.
Purge IE

Yes, Yes, Yes.
15 minutes ago, my problems were:
1. My web mail pages didn?t open correctly (hotmail included)
2. Many words in any web page were converted to a link.For example, if i was reading a page from this forum (or any website), the words "link,web,audio,video,virus,mail,search,message,ch at..."and many others, turned in blue color with an active link to "www.netsearch.com/....".

I have just run SPYBOT "search and destroy", as Steve recommended, and the problems disappeared immediately.

I thought that I was "sure" with my antivirus and firewall programs, but I wasn?t.
Thanks, thanks, thanks, Steve.

Any of you with the same problem ("criminal" blue link) ?

Shedder.
I'm a gamer so that's not an option. Plus I would like the freedom of assembling and modifying MY computer how I would like. And I would like the option of buying it from more than one manufacturer without bending over.
For reference: This video. And of course this one too.
Enjoy.

Hey Steve:
Under #2;
2) START/ RUN/ then type MSCONFIG. Click on the STARTUP tab to bring up all programs that load on startup.If you see any EXE's in the Windows or Windows/system32 folder that you don't recognize, google them. If they're Spyware, delete them.
------------
I did this, and got the window, System Configuration Utility. I saw, "Spykiller" that was contained in "C:\Program Files\SpyKiller"

First, I went to the Program Files and deleted this folder, yet it showed up in the System Configuration Utility.

All the items under Startup Item in this window were checked to the left. If I want to get rid of "SpyKiller" do uncheck all of the items, then just check SpyKiller and hit Disable All? Also, in this window it says Apply (third of fourth button at bottom). What am I applying if I hit disable all?

Lastly, with Spybot-Search & Destroy, I always get the following problems;
_ DSO Exploit 5 entries
_ CoolWWWSearch 3 entries

I then hit, fix problems. Even after running, I still get Spyware. Do I need to do this daily?

THANX

Blame double post on Spyware!

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 12, 2004 06:30 PM: Message edited by: PocketPlayer ]</font>

Thanks for the tips, Steve. I agree....the popups have been getting out of control lately.

I've been using Spybot Search and Destroy for about a year. I've found it be a great tool. It cleaned up a couple of viruses that commercial anti-virus software couldn't even remedy!!

Two comments regarding S&D:

1. It's freeware, which is great, but there hasn't been an update in several months (meaning an update to the database, not necessarily the application itself). I wonder if the author has stopped supporting it. If it's not getting updated regularly, it eventually becomes less and less relevant to current security threats.

2. A word of caution. Be VERY careful with the "advanced" mode. I loused up my hard disk BIG TIME by cleaning some things that showed up in advanced mode (mostly Windows Media Player security warnings).

PS - Those Mac videos were great!

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 12, 2004 06:49 PM: Message edited by: mja61 ]</font>

Pocket:
Be careful with the startup utility! As I said, if you're not sure what something is, Google it before making any changes!
You uncheck something to disable it, then hit APPLY. Deleting the file itself is also an option. OR, you can rename an exe as well. Like renaming qttask.exe to qttask.bak will prevent it from running no matter how hard QT tries to <strike>add it's bloated crap to my startup</strike> run when I reboot.

Quote:

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Lastly, with Spybot-Search & Destroy, I always get the following problems;
_ DSO Exploit 5 entries
_ CoolWWWSearch 3 entries

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lots of stuff can get past Spybot SD if you don't have folders protected. PocketPlayer, Hijack this cleared up some stuff Spybot missed on one computer (404 redirects to an exe download page).

I wish I'd seen this topic just yesterday.

I spent last night & today transferring all the mp3s, mpegs, & STG shows that were saved on my HD as torrents/flacs/shn's to disc, so that I could DESTROY & re-boot [format & recover] my system [img]mad.gif[/img] , which was completely bogged down with spyware, self-loading site pages, pop-ups, & other vastly annoying garbage. I lost practically everything. Syst resources were down to the 40 & 30 %'s; some bas**** site had loaded itself as my homepage & search functions, & these were constantly shutting down my other windows & causing errors everywhere. All as a result of opening the wrong e-mail. Duh. Rule of thumb, never open an e that looks suspicious or from an addy you don't recognize [another 'duh']. & this is the 2nd time in the last 2-3 months.

All better [for now [img]eek.gif[/img] ]. Now I just have to go to all the places & re-DL all my accessories, like WMP, divx, & what not... [img]graemlins/grrr.gif[/img]

If I am out somewhere like a restaraunt, bar, or anywhere FTM, & overhear someone bragging about their latest design in super-aggressive spyware/mole/worm/virus software, I'm gonna introduce them to a nice dental bill, via invasive spyware that I like to call a right cross. The 'cross' part makes it quite the 'religious experience' for them.

Thx for the info here anyway, Stv & the rest of you guys. I've saved the info on this page as a text file for future ref.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 12, 2004 07:56 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

With regard to pop ups and banner ads etc, my Norton Internet Security pop up blocker works a treat so I don't bother with any other prog.

As for spyware, what about AdAware at http://www.lavasoft.de I use the free version and it's it's great. Very easy to use too!

[img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

related link:

http://housecall.antivirus.com free online and up to date virus scan/removal tool

agreed, Dazzler. I just IM'd Steve about the same thing.

I just gave up using the internet with my pc. Can't be bothered with the time delays anymore. (My patience has run out [img]mad.gif[/img] )

Flam:
The games I am interested in are First Person Shooters mostly. Clearly the selection on PC outweighs the Mac.

speaking of games and fps.. has anyone checked out the unreal engine 3 tech demo yet?

http://www.gamingasylum.net/file.php?id=303

looks amazing

Alas, there are adware trojans kicking around that pretend to be anti-spyware and "network optimisers" so you have to be careful there too. Just because it says it's anti-adware doesn't necessarily make it safe! A decent, up-to-date antivirus package from a reputable author is still the best bet, in my view. My humble copy of McAfee (scans every day at 2am) regularly alerts me to adware, and picked up a keylogger last week. That, my Google toolbar popup blocker, a couple of utilities like Tweak-XP and Tweak-IE, keep my PC clean. That, and regularly thrashing the children.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 13, 2004 04:36 AM: Message edited by: moosetication ]</font>

Steve,
I'm a gamer as well!

I have one PC for games and programming.

3 Macs networked with the PC.
One is for my mail server/everything server..No Viruses, Spam, Spybots etc..!
One is for programming for Work
One is for Digital Video/Audio and well...games (which it rocks on!)..hehe

So..While you all are downloading all the little apps that stop spybots (Ad-ware etc..) and anti-this and that..I'll be using my Mac.

It's all good.
Like a friend of mine once said...
"Hey they are only tools that we use. Some like to build rebuild and fix them and some like to use them."

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 13, 2004 12:17 AM: Message edited by: Flamaque ]</font>

Not a gamer.

3 Macs.

No real problems.

Hi , i use IE since years and i have maybe just one or 2 pop up by month , what i do is simply change the default setting security of IE , to do that go on Optionn Internet > security , select internet , then you can choose what you want to work for IE , what cause pop up are generally active X , so just refuse active X .

Then if a web site that i trust need active X to work just copy and paste the url of this web site on "web you trust" ( i translate in english , i don't know how this is called in english version but this is the green button rigth of the "internet" button you used for find active X setting )

Hope this help

Right on there, moosetication.

And along those lines, how about those trojans/spywares that forceably load themselves to your PC w/out permission, & then feed you relentless pop-ups to "load their affiliated 'stop spyware or pop-ups' software?" [img]eek.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/grrr.gif[/img] Nothing could've had Mother Theresa cuss up a storm more quickly.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 13, 2004 09:33 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

Quote:

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As for spyware, what about AdAware at http://www.lavasoft.de I use the free version and it's it's great. Very easy to use too!

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">We use both Ad-Aware and Spybot at the place I work (a school district, so you can imagine how much crap those kids, and STAFF, come up with on their computers!), and we've had the best luck with Spybot.

Steve,
It is true that there are more PC games out there than Mac. Macs have almost always lagged behind in that catagory.

Not to get too far off the subject, but do you play UT (original)?

I'm not a big fan of the newer versions. I think they went too far away from the original.
Plus, UTk3 & 4 are Huge resource hogs.

I'm downloading the demo. should be cool.

Halflife 2, halo 2, and doom3 are gonna rule. Its wierd you recommend spybot, mozilla, and the mscongfig all things ive done recently before seeing your message [img]graemlins/pizza.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/rain.gif[/img] spyware blaster is made by the same programmer(lavasoft i think) as spybot and is worth the download it prevents spyware from getting on unlike spybot which scans and removes. avg 6.0 is a free ant-virus/trojan horse/worm remover i've found useful. Anyone know how i can delete internet explorer and have firefox set as primary browser?

<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ July 20, 2004 11:10 PM: Message edited by: burpen ]</font></font>

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 21, 2004 01:14 AM: Message edited by: burpen ]</font>

New year, new browser. I just downloaded Firefox today and I am very pleased so far. Lots of cool features and easy to use even if you're use to IE. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

I've been using Firefox since Steve posted this info and have been Spy free! I was getting hit very hard on Explorer. Firefox has several limitations to Exp, but it's been worth it.

Advice--be careful downloading all your "favorites." You get one chance at this. I found this a pain and went with the simpler version of Mozilla Firefox.

Man, thanks Steve. I'm at wits end with my mega-slow computer. I'm gonna take your advice ASAP!!!
[img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

I havent read through all the posts but heres some hints from me:

Since I use my computer daily, I am very picky with keeping it clean. I organize my files really well and also do a lot against viruses and spyware. One first step would be to download Windows SP2. It has a built in pop up blocker that seems highly effective.

Another thing to consider is not using IE at all. The majority of spyware was made to function on the Explorer since I would assume more than 90% of all users have anyway. My I suggest this alternative:

http://www.avantbrowser.com/

This browser is very customizable and has brought me nothing but joy.

Firefox ROCKS! I've been using it since I saw the post here and it's very convenient. You can download some cool 'extensions' by clicking FILE and Extensions (to launch the options). One is to view your page in IE, so if you need it for something (like Windows update) it's painfully simple.

Thanks Steve!

hi all and all the best on this new year!!
if you want your computer to be "safe" you might as well stop using outlook as well,and replace it with another cool soft from mozilla:thunderbird.
really safe stuff there.safer than any Microsoft's products that we should all stop using!! [img]wink.gif[/img]
in addition to:
-ad aware
-spybot
-hijack this.
i suggest using spyware blaster which is another effective spyware remover,assuming you have to run those softwares on a daily basis and your computer will not even be 100% spyware free.

i use Kaspersky which is one of the best av around(forget about norton...).
hope this will help.
[img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Hey everybody!!

Happy New Year!!

Great post Steve.

I just added a new DVD burner and 300 gig H.D. to my computer this weekend. Decided to finally appease Microsoft and click on that pesky "update" icon on the bottom. And like suspiria sez, I.E. has a pop up blocker now. Seems to work pretty well. The machine seems to boot faster also. Newest SP2 (service pack #2) update on Microsofts website. Check it out.

-j

Let me preface this by saying that PC support is my day gig...

The MSCONFIG startup tab thing will only do so much.

'Hijack This' will show you what's up. Great program. Be careful, though. It's like going into the Windows Registry...you can fatally screw things up if you're not careful. When in doubt, Google.

I also use 'Antivir'- Anti-Virus program (Google it- it's free) It's the best out there right now. It will also find things that Ad-aware and Spybot won't.

Ad-aware and Spybot are great programs as well.

Hijack This, Antivir, and SP2 have worked for me. No problems with IE.

This is not an endorsement, BTW!

Quote:

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Originally posted by shedder:
4) get a mac.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

Quote:

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Originally posted by Steve Holmes:
Shedder.
I'm a gamer so that's not an option.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Lol. Very true dude.

...

I've not had that many problems regarding a lot of spyware and popups. I have Spyware and AdAware, and run check frequently. I also have firewalls and antivirus software to stop anything more serious getting in.

The little godsend i found is the Google toolbar. Since i use google so much in my web surfing (along with dogpile, they're the only two search engines i use), it's great to have a tool bar in your browser window, plus you can refer back to previous searches. And it blocks popups, and has direct linking to blogs about pages that are currently open in your browser - i found ouy quite a lot by reading what other people had written in blogs, homework to drumming licks. And i don't really know my way around mozilla or opera. I'll change one day, but IE's fine for the mo.

got me a mac bout 15 months ago.... no problems so far.... no viruses.... clean. Whilst keeping the fingers crossed!