Spyware Removal Guides - Please add to this thread

[Doctor Destiny 41]

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

Quite possibly but I have a few myself and my system has never been hit with anything dangerous.

[mormreed 0]

as said above your post it's from registry keys being deleted...

[Azrael 0]

It's a bit hazardous, but it depends maybe...

[mormreed 0]

and if you go into your registry it shows the programs that start when you start your computer, the key is HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun and most are in there, just in case the MSConfig says you don't have permission to do stuff

[Doctor Destiny 41]

You may also want to run a System Internals scan with Spybot. That will fix a lot of broken paths, missing DLLs, etc etc.

[Sonic 296]

I've always used this, Startup Control Panel

 

 

Startup Control Panel is a nifty control panel applet that allows you to easily configure which programs run when your computer starts. It's simple to use and, like all my programs, it's very small and won't burden your system. A valuable tool for system administrators!

Can also be used in tandem with Startup Monitor.

[Mighty BOB! 5]

Oh my this thread has some cobwebs.

 

Commodo Firewall (and/or Commodo Defense) (I despise ZoneAlarm)

Threatfire antivirus detects and prevents viruses and other nasties based on their behavior, not only on a database of pre-known malwares (good for preventing unknown/emerging/new threats).

SpywareBlaster, another preventative program instead of a reactive one.

SUPERAntiSpyware, another scanner.

Avast antivirus (don't install more than one antivirus app)

AVG antivirus (does not play nice with Threatfire)

[Inferno 22]

Avira AntiVir For anti-virus, it's what I use

 

Oh, and if you already have spyware, I suggest Hitman Pro. It uses multiple anti-spyware programs and pretty much removes everything.

Edited October 3, 2009 by Inferno

[Luk3us 63]

I'm stilling using Zone Alarm and Avast. Of course both are fully updated, I just like them a lot. I tried Comodo, which is OK, but was epically pesky whenever I installed some new software or drivers or whatever, a LOT worse than what ZA does.

 

I've used AntiVir too, but that thing has those stupid pop ADS appear on screen during bootup. So yeah, like I'm going to live with that ****.

[Inferno 22]

I've used AntiVir too, but that thing has those stupid pop ADS appear on screen during bootup. So yeah, like I'm going to live with that ****.

Despite the popups, I still like it 10x better than McAfee, my old antivirus. 'Sides, internet says it's the fastest/most secure free anti-virus.

[Doctor Destiny 41]

If you have XP Pro or any OS that can edit security policies, you can prevent that Avira popup from appearing. Just set a new path rule that blocks avnotify.exe.

 

Also this. Kicks the ass of any other anti-malware application.