who's the resident spyware expert on this forum?

C

c.g._eads

Veteran
Man, this spyware/malware is killing me. I now have spyware that actually revs up my CPU to the point where nothing else works UNTIL I connect it to the internet. In addition to that, I'm pretty sure I have spyware that disallows me to install Norton Anti-Virus. Cause it's the only big progam I've ever not been able to install (some cryptic error comes up that I need reinstall microsoft installer - even though I've installed other things fine with microsoft installer).

So, what do I have? I constantly scan with Spydoctor and Adaware. I also use Security Task Manager to kill startup programs. Still, I have a fake IEXPORE.EXE that runs no matter what, starting back up whenever I kill it. Also ".tmp" programs pop up all the time in my task manager, no doubt bred by some invisible program somewhere.

So, does anybody have any advice for me? Besides reinstalling all of Windows, since everybody knows that's like a 2 week endeavor with all the programs and stuff you have to reninstall?

Programs you use? Solutions to some of these things I'm experiencing? Help!

best, chris
 
There's one out there called Panda that I heard was pretty good, never used it since I'm on a Mac, but when I worked at CompUSA all the guys that knew what's up said it worked. Good luck, spyware sucks!
 
I use Ad-Aware and Spybot but rely mainly on Norton Anti-Virus (Symantec).

If you are having issues getting it installed; contact technical support. They can totally hook you up (I had a similar issue and they got me through the jam)
 
- eTrust Pest Patrol
- Spyware Doctor
- TuneUp Utilities
- SpyBot Search & Destroy
- Trojan Guarder
- ZoneAlarm PRO

There's some programs I'd suggest. And for an anti-Virus program, I suggest anything OTHER than Norton.
 
hey John, I actually did contact Symantec. They told me it was Microsoft's problem. I called Microsoft. They told me it was Symantec's problem. Gotta love corporate America.

Vidled, why don't you like Norton (not that I'll ever be able to use it)?
 
Windows installer gets easily futzed. If the programmer doesn't do it right, it goes off into never-never land and tries to install random things at random times.

MS is right on this one. It's a Symantec screwup. (Mine occasionally tries to reinstall the firewall for no apparent reason.)

Oh. InstallShield does similar things, too. Sometimes worse.
 
c.g._eads said:
Vidled, why don't you like Norton (not that I'll ever be able to use it)?
Click to expand...

Because of bad experiences from fam. and friends who used it and it taking over their computer. Because of people complaining that they couldn't do this, or couldn't do that, or couldn't install that program, or couldn't run this program....then once they took out Norton: HALLELUJAH!!! They regained control of their computer again.
It is just too INVASIVE (or at least it was some while ago...)

Some alternatives:
Free: AVAST, or GRISOFT
Paid: eTrust AntiVirus from CA
 
Never had a problem with Norton/Symantec (other than the MS Installer nonsense).

On the other hand...CA... Nothing but. (And we have a LOT of their stuff at work...)
 
vidled said:
Because of bad experiences from fam. and friends who used it and it taking over their computer. Because of people complaining that they couldn't do this, or couldn't do that, or couldn't install that program, or couldn't run this program....then once they took out Norton: HALLELUJAH!!! They regained control of their computer again.
It is just too INVASIVE (or at least it was some while ago...)

Some alternatives:
Free: AVAST, or GRISOFT
Paid: eTrust AntiVirus from CA
Click to expand...

What are they doing to thier computer's ?

We've had Norton at home and office for years with zero issues (Other than doing a new install of 06 (From a 2004 updated patch; this was fixable in about 2 minutes)
 
I've had my share of problems with Norton. It messes with some of my programs like photoshop and encore. I've used adaware pretty much exclusivly. My biggest piece of advice is don't use IE... use firefox or something other than IE. IE has a TON of holes in it.
 
c.g._eads said:
Man, this spyware/malware is killing me. I now have spyware that actually revs up my CPU to the point where nothing else works UNTIL I connect it to the internet. In addition to that, I'm pretty sure I have spyware that disallows me to install Norton Anti-Virus. Cause it's the only big progam I've ever not been able to install (some cryptic error comes up that I need reinstall microsoft installer - even though I've installed other things fine with microsoft installer).

So, what do I have? I constantly scan with Spydoctor and Adaware. I also use Security Task Manager to kill startup programs. Still, I have a fake IEXPORE.EXE that runs no matter what, starting back up whenever I kill it. Also ".tmp" programs pop up all the time in my task manager, no doubt bred by some invisible program somewhere.

So, does anybody have any advice for me? Besides reinstalling all of Windows, since everybody knows that's like a 2 week endeavor with all the programs and stuff you have to reninstall?

Programs you use? Solutions to some of these things I'm experiencing? Help!

best, chris
Click to expand...
Use all of these in combination:

AVG Anti-Virus [FREE but the Pro one is a little more robust]

Ad-aware

Spybot Search & Destroy [scan AND immunize)

Microsoft Anti-Spyware

Spywareblaster

Ace Utilies (to clean registry & junk files)

. . . and keep your definitions current!
 
John_Hudson said:
What are they doing to thier computer's ?
Click to expand...

Beats me; but it gave me enough concerns to stay away! :)

Hey, in the end, whatever works to keep them pests out, and your computer running smoothly is cool; I just happened to hear (and see) some real bad stuff involving Norton; glad to see it's apparently NOT the norm though.
 
I use Norton and Zone Alarm pro and never get taken out but I also use a box built out of spare parts that is my internet surfer. If I'm going to surf willy nilly without care I use this machine. When it comes to sites like DVXuser and other trusted sites I use my regular box cos I know I can trust content. Firefox helps stop most crap out there. IE exlporer is a big no no in my workflow.
 
I've never had any problems using the following formula:

1. Windows XP Pro, fully patched with latest updates
2. ZoneAlarm Free version, kept up to date, Windows Firewall disabled
3. Avast! Antivirus
4. Firefox web browser, NO IE!
5. Thunderbird as a mail client.

Never any problems. And I tend to visit "unsavory" sites.

I recommend backing up your data, re-installing Windows, and following my formula for success. You won't be disappointed. And never click on those "win a free laptop" links...

-Paul
 
i used to use panda platinum internet security back when i used windows. as a matter of fact i still have that on my laptop (winblows).
alls i can say is panda has always worked and detected everything realllllllly fast.
if spyware tried to get installed it'd tell you and foacked it up. its nice :D
 
FIREFOX!!!!!!!!!
and the spyware stuff others mentioned.
Some more stuff has been getting through firefox lately but you have to update and run these spyware sniffers every 2 weeks or so.

one more thing, stay off those porn sites, they will install more crap than your computer can hold. Same thing with kids gaming sites with all those flash games. Coke.com installs a bunch o crap too.
 
Ok I dug this up from an Earlier post (a long while ago) , I'd posted it before:

Here is some computer maintenance one can perform on a regular basis to ensure stress free computer operation.

Registry

What is it?

A central hierarchical database used in Microsoft Windows 9x, Windows CE, Windows NT, and Windows 2000 used to store information necessary to configure the system for one or more users, applications and hardware devices.

(source Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition)

Recommended Maintenance

Use any registry Utilities (many software vendors out there)
I would personally recommend using RegScrubXP

Link:
http://www.sofotex.com/RegScrubXP-download_L7528.html

History, temp, old, compressed other files

Over time the hard drive gets "clogged" up with unused and unwanted files, deleting these files regularly is good practice. It can be done with Windows XP or you can use third party software.

I would recommend using CCleaner, it has some additional features such as a registry cleaner much like RegScrubXP, however it does seem to be faster than RegScubXP, although the downside is that it is not as precise as RegScrubXP, my advice would be to run them both, that way you will have everything covered. It also includes a uninstall tool much like windows uninstaller, however it can delete entries that may be broken or corrupted/deleted (very Handy)

link
http://www.ccleaner.com/

Spyware, malware

Surfing the net can result in nasty things being installed on your computer without your awareness. Its like playing in the jungle, sure its fun but you will get bitten by insects. Use anti-spyware to keep your system clean

my recommendations, Adware SE Personal and spybot searh & destroy

link:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

http://www.safer-networking.org/

Virus, Trojans

Self explanatory, use good anti-virus software, if you can not afford it then try PC-Chillin’s excellent Free online HouseCall(tm) scanner:

Note: you will have to install some ActiveX or Applet in order to use this free scanner (you only need to install once)

Link:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Harddrive Defragment

Over time the data stored in the hard-drive becomes dis-organised resulting in slow down in performance, use the Windows built in Defrag tool.

Windows File Protection

If you system becomes unstable due to system files accidentally over written or move/deleted/corrupted, Windows XP has a Windows File Protection utility to use to the following:

Click on Start, then on run then type:

sfc /scannow

Check this site for more detailed explanation:

http://www.compphix.com/windowsfileprotection.html

Thats about it for now, Happy Computing!

Anhar
Click to expand...
 
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