Spyware Removal Guides - Please add to this thread

[Sonic 292]

Lots people have problems with spyware and other nasty junk on their computers these days. Thankfully there are many free tools available on the internet to help you. There are also many tips and tricks to keeping your system healthy.

 

The idea behind this thread is to have a collection of posts related to spyware removal, virus removal and general system cleaning up tools and tips. Basically anything related to this subject.

 

So feel free to add this thread. I'll sart off with some info that found on another from....

Update

Update, update, update. Go to Windows Update (unfortunately the site only works in IE) and get all applicable updates. At the very least ensure you have both SP 1 & 2.

 

Once you've installed SP 2, go to the "Security Centre" in the Control Panel and turn on "Automatic Updates", so you won't need to bother about checking the Windows Update site anymore.

 

Browser

First of all, stop using IE. Use Firefox.

 

When Firefox is installed go to the Downloads page and select the "Save all files to this folder..." option. Create a new folder somewhere such as My Documentsincoming (this is for Spybot S&D, as we'll see later).

 

If you use Outlook Express as well, grab Mozilla's Thunderbird. (Unless you really need Outlook's Hotmail checker...)

 

Firewall

Download ZoneAlarm free edition.

 

ZoneAlarm works by blocking any incoming connections, and any outgoing connections that you don't authorise. If you see a program that you haven't run yourself trying to access the internet, chances are that you should block it. (But bear in mind lots of the built-in windows services have funny names, so check and see what they are first.)

 

Anti-Virus

The freeware AV world is quite limited. I've found Avast to be the best — AVG's free version is missing some important features. After downloading Avast you will need to register it to recieve a key-code, but don't worry, it's free.

 

Spyware Prevention, Removal

Install Spybot Search & Destroy, when it asks you if you want something called a "resident" or "tea-time" facility installed, say yes. S&D's resident monitors your computer for registry changes, blacklisted processes, and other things.

 

Start up Spybot, then click Mode->Advanced and confirm. Head to Settings->Directories and add your Firefox downloads directory. Have a look around the rest of the settings and check whatever you want. I would recommend turning off the "create system restore point" options (under "main settings") as it makes the scan take much longer, and I've never had Spybot go crazy on me Finally, update it and click the immunize button.

 

Another real-time monitor worth trying is Spyware Guard.

 

Lastly, install AdAware.

 

Spybot and AdAware are both scanners to find/remove spyware, so will require a manual update & scan every now and then.

 

Miscellaneous

GRC.com has some useful things that disable (generally) unneeded XP stuff, all about 20 kb:

- Shoot The Messenger

- Un PnP

- DCOMbobulator

 

Update!

Update, update, update. While XP itself, ZoneAlarm, Firefox, and Avast! all have automatic update utilities, Spybot S&D, AdAware and Spyware Blaster will need occasional manual updating.

[Azrael 0]

Go to: http://www.spysweeper.com/ then download the trial, or buy it. It's a very cool device that REALLY makes sure that there are no viruses, trojans, spywares, etc. Or, if you have Limewire, download it by searching: spysweeper. Limewire could be downloaded at: http://www.limewire.com/english/content/home.shtml. Trust me on this. Spysweeper removed a VERY NASTY spyware sometime ago from my dad's pc. But then, remember this: every time you install something, it will ask you either to keep it or delete it.

[Nyerguds 100]

To manually prevent spyware or adware from launching itself when Windows starts, go to Start -> Run and type "msconfig"

 

Once in the System Config tool, go to the Startup tab.

In the list there are all programs that are started when Windows starts. If some of those seem dodgy, check the filename and search your hard disk until you find it. If the program is not part of something you installed, uncheck the box and it will not run anymore.

 

If the program, even when you deleted it, keeps adding itself there, look in the folder

c:windowsprefetch

for a file with a similar filename, and remove it as well.

 

 

Hint: normally, no programs will be run from your c:windowssystem32 folder. If the list contains programs that run from there, better check what they are. I've seen a piece of spyware that had a filename which made it seem like it was the system clock or something like that.

[Thierry 0]

I got PC Cillin Internet Security 2005, awesome program, its a Virus Scanner, Virus Blocker, Spyware Blocker/Remover, Email Scanner, BootVirus Scanner and much more all in one, plus it updates daily, so its always up to date, and if there is a new virus break out, it immediatly lets me know it and gets an update.

 

I also got AdAware Remover from Lavasoft, Spyware Blaster and Spybot Search and Destroy

[Nyerguds 100]

Surprisingly enough, Microsoft AntiSpyware is a really good program. Now I'm usually not one to promote M$ products... but M$ didn't make this program. They just bought the company that made it.

 

Seeing as it can be freely downloaded from microsoft.com I strongly advice installing it.

[Guest Rabbit]

I just called microsoft, and they said the best trick to getting rid of spyware is to run the spyware scan in safe mode with networking, and then delete it there, so the computer can focus more on the spyware scan, and there is no way the spyware can regenerate.

 

(to access this on a PC, keep pushing F8 upon startup until a new menu appears, and scroll down to safe mode with networking, then run the computer, and wait until it starts up, then do spyware scan. To tell if it is in safe mode, it should show up on all four corners of the screen)

[chickendippers 1]

F8? It's F5 to get into Safe Mode!

 

Here is how I do my house-keeping on my computer:

• Boot up as normal, make sure i have latest versions of Adaware, Spybot S&D, MS Anti Spyware, and Mcaffee Virus.

[*]Restart in safe mode (without networking) and run all the scans one-after-another.

[*]This would also be the best time to run a scan-disk and defrag...but I don't have that much time.

[*]Restart as normal, et voila - sorted.

• Starting in safe-mode with networking is stupid as viruses/spyware can still download themselves onto your computer!

[Guest MadBadger]

easyest way to avoid spyware DONT USE THE INTERNET.... but as thats not gona happen just keep a good firewall up and only permit one port to be open and use that for all games only alowing it to be opened when playing.

[Guest Rabbit]

On my computer it's F8

[Cygnus X-1 12]

c'mon people, your quote needs to have these "" around the name of the person you are quoting for it to work !!

 

Easiest way to avoid viruses while still using the internet. Firefox. Cancel all cookies. A spyware adn virus combat program. If you're not into hacking ,this should be all you need. Seeing as how there are free ones all over the net, its not hard to come by one.

[TheBlackOut 6]

Well I decided to write some guide since I am bored and a geek. I wrote this for another forum, but I'll bless CNCNZ.com with it.

 

Is your internet running slower and slower than normal? Webpages that used to take just seconds to load now taking twice as long?

 

 

Here's what you need to do!

 

 

1. When you wonder the interweb, especially with Internet Explorer you can pick up all sorts of things you don't want, such as malware and stuff, which you don't want, also stuff you download can take up space in your cache. Yes, I know you can delete through windows, but this does it more throughly, and I do this once a month and clear up about 1 GB in one run!

 

2. Download cleanup and do one scan, you might be surpised how much it cleans out, and it can also get rid of unwanted stuff, but not all of it!

 

3. Spyware, malware, adware, they can all slow down and cause unwanted pop-ups(If you still get pop-ups, I recommend the google toolbar) so you want to get rid of these. You might think to get a top-notch one you have to pay money, why the ones you pay for do better tasks, the free ones are not without their charm. I personally recommend Ad-Aware SE Personal and/or Spybot - Search & Destroy. Do a FULL scan when you have time and delete what it finds, your internet should be running faster now.

 

4. Viruses, worms, and trojans are horrible, I should know, I've learn my lesson and prepared myself well, and by using FREE anti-virus. I recommend Avast!(Has its own mini-firewall) or AVG Free Edition as its one of the best free anti-viruses around. If you feel like you could have a worm or anything(And these can cause much more than just slow internet, they can cause data-lose and bad things to happen) run a good complete scan and follow the instructions given to you by the program.

 

5. Now that you are pretty much clean, we should get you up to speed with PREVENTION! Yes, protecting yourself is key, if you are cautious, you won't get any bad things. If you have a router, Windows firewall is enough I would say, but if you don't feel safe or if you are directly plugged into the interweb, download Zone Alarm the basic version for good, free protection.

 

6. Okay, you got most of your bases covered, if you know what sites to go to and not to go to, you'll be A okay. Now for my personal opinion. Internet Explorer is a horrible browser that has not been updated since the stone age. I recommend Mozilla Firefox and/or Opera.

 

Tell me what you think of my guide guys, if you find a grammar mistake, PM it to me to mock me. (I did this cause a lot of tech forums have at least one kind of guide so I thought this would be at least one.)

 

*Note: Avast! and Zone Alarm sometimes have a problem with each other, it said this while I was installing Avast! after Zone Alarm, but I've never had a conflict, and if you are paranoid, you can disable Avast!'s feature that Zone Alarm says it has a problem with.

 

**Note: You can have more than one anti-malware program, it just covers your bases even more, but only one is really needed. Same goes for anti-virus, but more than one anti-virus is unneeded and can suck system resources.

[Luk3us 63]

The best way to avoid viruses and spyware is simple.

 

Don't go on the internet.

[Cygnus X-1 12]

Wonderful tip there Luk2as :wink:

 

TSBO - The TV Operah has an H.

 

I recomend Norton 06, Zone Alarm, and FireFox. Never had anyissues with them.

[Luk3us 63]

Of course...

 

Zone Alarm Pro, is very handy, it can prevent processes from activating, incase you suspect it of being spyware or whatever. Very nifty program....

[Cygnus X-1 12]

which is why when the alert comes up, you allow that program :wink:

[comander starlin 6]

and also good way to avoid nasty's such as spyware is to not go onto pornographic websites, i have formated to many PC that have be loaded with to much of the stuff you cant remove it all. (No not mine i am a PC Tech)

[Guest Rabbit]

and also good way to avoid nasty's such as spyware is to not go onto pornographic websites

 

 

Aww. So you're saying we can't have any fun?

[comander starlin 6]

nah have fun but just be careful ware you get your fun from :wink:

[Doctor Destiny 40]

Not really. It's called Firefox.

[rEdaSbLood 1]

i use zoneAlarm and Avast!......they do well enough...and as for the porn thing..i have a good source............ :oops:

[Guest Rabbit]

Note! If a place tells you that you need to download a new codec even though EVERY other video plays fine, and it takes you to an official looking codec site, do NOT download the codec.

 

Stupid antispyware company made their own product into spyware as a way of getting you to buy their product, and it's really nasty on your computer. Took me a few hours to get rid of it.

[rEdaSbLood 1]

hate those

[comander starlin 6]

my parents had Norton anti virus and it some how got a virus in the program and the only optin to remove the virus i had left was to format so not even Anti virus programs are immune

[mormreed 0]

is it bad if there are items in the system config->startup that don't have names?

[mormreed 0]

yeah yeah I know it's a double post but they are so far apart I don't think it makes much of a difference, anyways I found out why stuff in there doesn't have a name or hard drive location or registry key, it's because the registry key was deleted, sometimes a reboot fixes it sometimes it doesn't just deselect it,

and @hypno i downloaded one of those codecs once, I got a free little program called avenger off of some forum (after about an hour of googling ) got rid of it in a reboot