Spyware

[tippucat]

Hi! I've just run a spyware scan and found that I've got loads of infected files and cookies. If I delete them all is that going to cause problems on my operating system as a lot of them have Microsoft titles?

The programme I ran was called SpyWare Nuker. It was not very clear in what to do after I've scanned. I haven't bought the programme but I have started getting pop ups! Only in the last month or so? I thought Norton was meant to see all this off!? :confused:

[Capt. Murphy]

Try PestPatrol (http://www.pestpatrol.com/) . Quick! :eek:

[Capt. Murphy]

I copied this (my) post from the "Porno Filth" topic in the General Chat. Here it is... :D

Also try PEST PATROL. You can use it to scan your computer for "pests" but it won't let you clean anything up until you "purchase" it. But I've found that once you have it installed on your computer you can do this. Right click on a folder. I don't think it matters where you do it - just about any folder should work. You will get a list of things like: (I'll use what appears on my Comp.)

Search
Open
Browse w/ PSP7
Explore
Scan Directory with Pest Patrol

Then it will make an alert sound (if any thing 'bad' is on your comp.) A window will pop up showing Pests that you have on your computer, and it asks you "How shall we deal with this Pest?" Then you can delete the adware, spyware.

I don't understand why you have to purchase Pest Patrol to take care these things and yet you can still use the above method I mentioned and you get the same results - for free. :rolleyes:

[John Falstaff]

Hi Tippucat,

I've been having these problems. (See thread on technical support.) It was getting worse and worse. After a lot of help (including yours), you'll see the links on the thread above, I downloaded a free 'zonealarm' firewall and some 'free' "Spyhunter" software. The diagnostic 'revealed' I had loads of 'parasites'. Of course to do anything I had to pay ($29.99) for the software! The situation is much improved, but by no means perfect.

If you go to today's Guardian media section you'll see an article about how some judge in Virginia has declared all this legal, even though it's often not clear that what one is downloading, or buying has this spyware attached.

I really am angry :mad: about this. This type of 'advertising' is a total breach of privacy. As marketing it is totally wrong. It's as if someone broke into your home and then tried to sell you more home security! (Most of the pop-ups I'm, still, getting are ads. trying to sell me software to stop pop-up ads.! To me this is like demanding money with menaces!)

It seems that some people, and the powers that be, feel that commercials interests and rights have precedent over that of other users!

I'm sorry about the rant, but I really am angry about this whole increasing problem and the refusal of certain parties to do anything about it.

:mad:

[Capt. Murphy]

Let's hope your Registry isn't infected too. Cursed Spyware!!! :mad:

[Capt. Murphy]

Oh! I forgot to mention (but it'll be obvious once you have it on your Computer) to click on "Scan Directory with Pest Patrol". :rolleyes: Then it can scan your computer.... Duh. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/bash.gif

[PSone]

I use AdAware, best anti-spy ware program around.
c00kies can be safely deleted. But programs should be quarantined only.

[tippucat]

Thanks everyone.

Cap'n I knew you had posted that advice but, shiver me timbers, if I couldn't find it. Garn!

PSOne, that's what I was worried about. If I deleted some of the registry! You've no idea the blunders I've made with my PC since I got it! That's partly why I invested in Norton. Now it appears that it doesn't deal with spyware! I gorgot about AdWare. Used to have it, will go and track it down. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif

[John Falstaff]

The spyware identified 2 'serious' parasites in my registry. That's why I bought the package, I didn't have the confidence to start deleting the files manually there. I thought 'leave it to the software', but - I know this is a bit paranoid - what if the stuff your buying, or downloading, also has the spyware on it (see article I mentioned)?

Yours Paranoically

J. Falstaff

:( http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/bash.gif

[Capt. Murphy]

There was one thing I had on my computer once. I would "Quarantine" it but another program/application :confused: would rewrite the thing and so everytime I would re-run Adaware it would come back to haunt me. :mad: :mad: :mad: I finally got (purchaced) :( something called 'X-Block'. I was able to use that to get rid of the pesky application that kept re-writing the other pest. :D It's not worth the price once you get rid of just one thing. But it has a few other intersting features that come in handy. But if I was to recommend any of the anti-Adware/Spywares it would have to be 'Pest Patrol'.

[fishlikelong]

You are best getting Ad-aware 6.0 from www.tudogs.com (http://www.tudogs.com) I have it, it roots out spyware and deletes it with out affecting your system.

[tippucat]

Hello everyone! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif

I bought and installed pest patrol. Spent ages deleting and quarantining everything but the pop up is still there? It only shows on TRF, no other website? Any other ideas, please?

Thanks. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/grouphug.gif

[John Falstaff]

No ideas, but I'd like a solution too! With the anti- spy software and firewall I installed things are much better. But I still get pop-ups, not just on this site. I suspect there is still a parasite hidden somewhere that the anti-spyware can't find.

Come on you computer buffs, please help!

[tippucat]

Hi Sir 'J', this is one puzzle I cannot fathom! I'm too frightened to anything else to clean it further in case I delete anything I shouldn't. Maybe I'm going to have to live 'you have won a holiday' for ever! http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif

[John Falstaff]

Tippucat,

http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/wave.gif

Your lucky it's only 'holidays' you've 'won'. But have you installed a firewall? I installed 'Zone Alarm'. If you go to the thread where I was asking for help you'll see the link to this. The firewall was free, unlike the 'anti-spyware'! Both together have been fairly, though not perfectly, effective.

[Capt. Murphy]

Sometimes you have to delete all your cookies. And if you get REALLY desperate... You may have to use REGEDIT (Registry Editor). But only - and I do stress ONLY - if you know what and where the thing is that is causing this problem. Make a backup (system restore point) just in case you screw something up. And most times it's in more than one place. :confused: Another thing you can try is in the Administrative Tools on your computer, find the 'Services' option, find 'Messenger' and right click, goto properties, and on 'Start-Up Type' choose 'disabled'. Hope this helps. http://www.tombraiderforums.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

[tippucat]

Since last posting here, the free holiday has disappeared to be replaced by a bank? Man, am I confused by all of this? :confused: