Dealing with Spyware/Adware

[Lee0123]

Hey, i have spyware that redirects my hostfile n such like. i tried using ad aware (which did remove it) and i tried getting rid manualy (via editing the host file itself) but it keeps coming back... any tips? oh yeah, im thinking of changing browsers, does netscape rely on IE files n stuff like a few other browsers do?

[GundamGuy]

Hey, i have spyware that redirects my hostfile n such like. i tried using ad aware (which did remove it) and i tried getting rid manualy (via editing the host file itself) but it keeps coming back... any tips? oh yeah, im thinking of changing browsers, does netscape rely on IE files n stuff like a few other browsers do?

I think it does, go with firefox or something.

[Cosmic]

Yeah, Firefox is definetely the best option. From my experiences, it's a Hell of a lot more stable than IE and much less prone to spyware.

[Komodo]

Avast and FireFox sucks. I installed Firefox and got rid of it after 2 seconds of using it. I tried Avant Browser and I liked it, that is what I currently use as my browser.

Ad-aware SE is only good if you get the Pro version...

Also, goto PrcView.com and get their Proccess viewer, it's a small download and it's awesome.

[HarkenSlash]

I have a spyware called DS0 Exploit and it never gets removed. I use Spybot Search and Destroy just to let you know. Can anyone help me?

[Sprung]

I have a spyware called DS0 Exploit and it never gets removed. I use Spybot Search and Destroy just to let you know. Can anyone help me?

Use Hijack This!

Just be careful, as Hijack is a very powerful tool, and can remove critical drivers and such...

[Jamirus]

The fun really begins when you have something on your computer that disables Hijackthis, and doesn`t let you download it. I once had a trojan that did this. At some point I managed to remove it, but boy, that was some work.

[linkinkampf19]

i actually had to get this kid to clean out his system with adaware. found 572 objects. on one scan. without updating the reference file either. sad. truly sad.

If you think that is bad with Adaware, try what my sis and cousin had. First scan on my sis's comp (about 6 months old) with it, approximately 775 objects, with quite a few being the ever so dreaded CoolWebSearch. My cousin's comp, on the other hand, made my jaw drop to the floor : approx. 2200 objects, many being associated with Kazaa, aka Cydoor dummies, as well as a few more nasty pieces of the malicious stuff. But then again, they both never even thought of running this stuff on their computers, so I kinda saved them from premature deaths (the comps, not them ) Great software though, I don't know what I would do if it were ever made shareware or something of the like.

BTW... one more piece of software you missed, Deach, was SpywareBlaster, which never even alows the stuff to even infiltrate your comp. Since its install, Spybot and Adaware have only found negligible objects (file lists and such). Just thought to add that in, as well as their site:

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

[polobunny]

I once scanned my aunt computer only with Ad-aware. I found about 700+ results. The next time I came to her house (less than 2 week), and scanned with Ad-ware, I found again 700+. But this time, she didn't want me to remove her "special search bars". Ouch, she did thought those many bars in IE were useful. She was surfing the web without an updated antivirus (Norton 9X with a never updated definition file) and without any firewall, and she has always-on broadband from a shitty provider full of scam. Hurra.

I wish I could have saw my face when she asked me to keep her bars.
Oh yeah, and she had XP on a PII 400mhzish and the like, with 128Mb ram. Plenty of services put to automatic, and likes 15 additionals processes (excluding ad/spywares) opening at start.

That was prolly the sluggiest computer I will ever see, I hope.


Oh, and I found that Webroot Spysweeper does a great job after all. It was the only one to really fix the DSO exploit i had.

[Cyberxion]

Avast and FireFox sucks. I installed Firefox and got rid of it after 2 seconds of using it.

If you only gave it two seconds, you didn't give it enough of a chance to determine wether or not it sucks....

[rpgseeker]

Ad-remover is good...but try microsoft beta spyware remover...is good..software..

[Valholy]

I once scanned my aunt computer only with Ad-aware. I found about 700+ results. The next time I came to her house (less than 2 week), and scanned with Ad-ware, I found again 700+. But this time, she didn't want me to remove her "special search bars". Ouch, she did thought those many bars in IE were useful. She was surfing the web without an updated antivirus (Norton 9X with a never updated definition file) and without any firewall, and she has always-on broadband from a shitty provider full of scam. Hurra.

I wish I could have saw my face when she asked me to keep her bars.
Oh yeah, and she had XP on a PII 400mhzish and the like, with 128Mb ram. Plenty of services put to automatic, and likes 15 additionals processes (excluding ad/spywares) opening at start.

That was prolly the sluggiest computer I will ever see, I hope.


Oh, and I found that Webroot Spysweeper does a great job after all. It was the only one to really fix the DSO exploit i had.

can you give a link to the program you used to get rid of the xploit please?

[Deach]

http://www.webroot.com/shoppingcart/...000&vcode=DT02

I assume this is what you wanted.

[Valholy]

o now i know why i didnt find it,i just searched spysweeper without webroot

[trooper11]

i saw someone mention spyware blaster and how it helps block stuff getitng on the pc in the first place.

well spybot search and destroy also has a live/active feature taht monitors your system and if anything trys to install or change the registry, it warns you and allows you to block the attempt.

also, firefox i have to say is the best browser ive tried, and ive used several. the extensions you can find are wonderful and ive found it to be lean, not too heavy on resource use.