Topic: Spyware/Adware/Malware/Virus/Trojan Horse, UNITE!

[Shamb]

So obviously many of us have ran across numerous types of malicious software.

Lets create a forum filled with ideas and suggestions for getting rid of said data.

Things I do include the following

1. Download ad.aware from a legit web-site and run a full system scan.
2. Once the scan is done it will give you the specific file path of the file typically these will be executables (.exe) or false/corrupt registry files.
3. To access registry files go to Start/Run/ type in "regedit"  now search and find the file path where the registry files lie and delete them manually   (I do this because sometimes the adware/spyware protection will find the file but is unable to delete it.

Other then that I have Registry Medic that I got off a friend that verifys the integrity of all registry files and/or deletes or re-assigns them to their proper place.

So give us some of your expertise info on fighting off pesky data.

 

[Shamb [OP]]

Adding to given information,

Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore


Using system restore will restore your system to a recently saved "marker"   so that any changes that have been made prior to that date will now be gone/deleted.

[kneedownnate]

Just stay away from the pron sites

[abnormaltoy]

Just stay away from the pron sites

Yeah, pron is scrouge of ower nashion!

[brainlessfool]

Yeah, pron is scrouge of ower nashion!

yup, taht and bad spaalling. 

[abnormaltoy]

yup, taht and bad spaalling. 

Failure to use the spell check feature shall result in public humiliation. I know from experience!

[Wermz84]

yup, taht and bad spaalling. 

[CTENG in KS]

I use AdAware, Spybot, and Windows Defender to scan the system.  Between the three they seem to find most of it.
Then I use RegScrubXP to clean out the registry crap.

Anything they catch but can't erase I go back an find manually.

[BigMike]

CCleaner.com is a great little util also. Many of this crap starts from the various temporary folders on your computer (there are many), and CCleaner cleans out which ever temp files you select with one click, and is integrated into the shell for use when right-clicking on your recycle bin. Also has a nice registry checker and it has a program uninstaller that loads wwaaaayy quicker than the windows one in your control panel.

Over 65 million downloads!!!

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware!

[Wermz84]

OK, Serious now.


This is a good idea Shamb.  and I'll help with what I can.    May I please make 2 suggestions though?

#1  If we tell where something is at, we should specify what OS version we are talking about, because different OS versions have things in different places if at all.  For example System Restore is only in XP and newer, not in 95, 98, or 2K, just incase anybody is still running them.

#2  Just so everybody knows modifying the resistry can be dangerous.  1 wrong entry or deletion and you can seriously hose your machine.

Just trying to help.   


Anti-Spy ware


Free
I use both of these in cunjuction with each other.  Run one, then the other, NOT at the same time!

Adaware by Lavasoft  10:36 AM 6/10/2007
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/


SpyBot   (excellent free-ware.  becarfull in the advanced tools)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html


Purchase

Spy Sweeper - Good app for the money, very resource intensive though.

http://www.webroot.com/land/mb/indexoneYearFreev2.php



Anti-Virus
Anti Virus - I will not say which one is best.  I would just suggest picking one and keeping it up to date.
(I personally use Symantec Corporate 8.0)

Norton
http://www.symantec.com/index.jsp

Macaffe
http://www.mcafee.com/us/

Trend
http://us.trendmicro.com/us/home/

AVG Anti Virus - Free version available.  Works well for a year and then asks you to buy it.
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/





Removal Tools
Removal tools and procedures as well as the latest threats and assesments.

http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/security_response/index.jsp


OK, that's what I got.  hopefully it helps somebody.  I'm a Geek.   

[Wermz84]

I forgot to mention.

I personally disable "System Restore" on every machine I touch at work. 

Reasons are 2-fold

1 Once the problem gets backed up, you it will end up getting restored after you try and remove it.  (happened to me at work  )

2 System resource hog.


 

[Duffil]

CCleaner.com is a great little util also.

I just downloaded this.  I ran it and DAMN!  Top notch.

and X2 on turning System Restore off.  When I did use it, it kept reinstalling my damn virus.

[Shamb [OP]]

Correct Wermz, you should only delete SPECIFIC registry files that are listed on LEGIT anti-virus web-sites that pertain to your current problem.


Right now i'm running Windows Defender that finds this "PuritySCAN"  Adware file about every 1-2 minutes. Deletes it... then starts all over again.

I also tried CCleaner, works very quick!   It'll clear everything and in roughly about 5 seconds it'll find atleast 3-4 more files.

Any bit of info that someone could give? 

I'm playing delete TAG with this "Click here to fix errors.ico" file... i'll find it in my WINDOWS/system32 folder and delete it... then it'll manafest itself somewere else.....

Its as if these virus/spyware programs are finding the data that the malicious software is leaving behind but ISN'T finding the software itself that is responcible for this!

Also in Control Panel under Add/Remove Programs i've got this program called "Adware and Spyware" obviously when I click on it to Change/Remove it pop's up a ANTI SPYWARE FREE web-site.... can't seem to figure out where it is though so that I can delete it!

arrgh, I was up until 2 am trying to get this thing clean... only to be running in a circle chasing my own tail.

Might be time for a reformat, i'm dreading that though because I dont know WHERE these files are... if I back up my data I dont want to take the risk of backing up this Adware/Spyware as well....

  

[Shamb [OP]]

So its been 3 days of deprived sleepless nights and MANY upon MANY files deleted BUT... i'm going on roughly 9 minutes and 10 seconds of pop-up free internet surfing.

I tried Ccleaner, although it works quick it didn't take care of the prob, I tried windows defender... although this actually found and deleted the problem it didn't completely alleviate it so about every minute or so it would give this wonderful pop up explaining that my computer was yet again infected with "ClickSpring.PurityScan" Adware....  obviously this got annoying quick.

So I booted in safe mode and ran all my programs, found some stuff.... restarted... didn't fix it...

So I started more research and reading, found some great reviews about Avast!  and it has a POST virus scan. So before windows even starts it runs a test to find the malicious software.... found 9 items hiding in LEGIT windows files!   

At this point I was pulling out all my software and getting ready to backup all my pictures ect... so I didn't really care if it screwed the OS. Needless to say it didn't and everything seems to be working fine now!

Thank you AVAST!!!!    I'm going to register my copy and keep it, buh-bye Symantec 

Btw on a side note, One thing I found interesting is that after deleteing these files/folders/icons manually or by Ccleaner or Win Defender... none ever got rid of the core component that was remanafesting all this crap.. it was in my Control Panel under Add/Remove Programs called "Adware and Spyware"  if you attempted to remove, it just pulled up some porn web-sites or Anti Virus protection web-sites 

Never did figure out exactly where that was coming from..


ALSO!!  I got this Virus/Trojan/Adware/Spyware/Malware from PHOTOBUCKET!!!!!!!!  clicking on a link that kneedownnate had posted in PBB forum. I'm not blaming you.. just wanted to make everyone aware!!   

[TRHS1980]

I used to love playing with computers, but as I got older my priorities changed and I became more lazy and less up to date with electronics. In other words, I hate working on my computer now and just want it to work the way it's supposed to and when it doesn't I just stop using it for periods of time until I can muster up the energy to do something about it. Anyway, what I've been doing for a long time now is keeping all of my data on an external "storage" drive. The idea of keeping my os and programs running on one drive and my info on another drive makes me feel safer. And when my computer starts acting up and slowing down (every year or less) I just wipe my main drive and reinstall the os. Yeah, it can be a pregnant dog, but it's easier then spending hours upon hours searching for the hidden file on the system that's causing all the problems. 

Oh, and there's always linux.

[Shamb [OP]]

used to love playing with computers, but as I got older my priorities changed and I became more lazy and less up to date with electronics

    probably why it took me so long to get it fixed. I used to work on computers for a living but now that i'm out of that field I still know a few things.... but just prefer it to work.

[Wermz84]

I'm playing delete TAG with this "Click here to fix errors.ico" file... i'll find it in my WINDOWS/system32 folder and delete it... then it'll manafest itself somewere else.....

Its as if these virus/spyware programs are finding the data that the malicious software is leaving behind but ISN'T finding the software itself that is responcible for this!

Yeah I hate that game Shamb.   they are like mushrooms now, as soon as you pluck it the spores land elsewhere.  especially on reboot.

I'm gonna have to chech out that Avast sounds cool.

Anyway, what I've been doing for a long time now is keeping all of my data on an external "storage" drive. The idea of keeping my os and programs running on one drive and my info on another drive makes me feel safer. And when my computer starts acting up and slowing down (every year or less) I just wipe my main drive and reinstall the os. Yeah, it can be a pregnant dog, but it's easier then spending hours upon hours searching for the hidden file on the system that's causing all the problems. 

Yup, I do this as well.     except i keep the second hard drive in the case, one master one slave.  Definatly the way to go.  OS and software on one, all of my data on the other.    I usually reinstall every few months, cause im constantly tinkering with it and usually end up messing something up.    

   going to build a linux box next.  But I have no clues about it.

[Cheesemaker]

Avast is cool, but I wish it would put all the virus' in a file and deal with all of them at the end, instead of one at a time!  This last trojan/virus/spyware thing I had, by passed everything, including doing the scans in safe mode!  Next time, something like this happens, I'm just gonna reboot my OS.  That means I'll have to get a new disc, since all the new computers from Dell, Gateway, hp &on don't come with OS discs anymore!  I'm gonna get a external HD for all my important things!

[Wermz84]

You can call them and request it.  along with a disc off all of the drivers for that machine.

[Cheesemaker]

I'll have to try that!  Thanks!