scoobypreza

I've searched scoobynet and found a few threads that have helped me figure out that I've got loads of spyware on my computer... ggrrr

I downloaded a free Spyhunter scan and it found loads of nasty stuff but it doesn't remove without buying the full product.

So I went to www.lavasoft.com for Ad-ware but I'm even more confused now!!
It looks like I have to run another scan then delete things manually but I don't think I'm good enough to do that.
I haven't downloaded it yet I thought I'd ask for help first. I don’t want to make it worse!

Am I going to have to buy something or am I missing something somewhere??

Anyone got any ideas please?
Thanks in advance

Cath
mrs.scoobypreza

prana

Cath, I am not sure if this will disappoint you, but if you have that much crap on your PC already, probably the best solution is simply to wipe it clean and start again.

Barring that, you would want a firewall that will block both ways for traffic and ensure you are able to identify any packets leaving your device you dont want to, and trace it back to remove the sources. Apart from that, its gouing to be a long and tiring task.

A rebuilt takes maybe a day....

Dr Nick

A complete re-install is always a good idea every so often, but only if you are up to the job.

Ad-aware is good and fairly intuitive. Not at all confusing. Its free and does a good job IMO. There is another prog that is also free but I cant remember the name off the top of my head. It is also free and good.

A good firewall is essential though and you should get one of these first if you do not have one. Zone alarm is free and very good.

Hope that helps

Kevin Groat

Cath, Suggest you download Spybot, I used Ad-aware and still had problems, Spybot found loads more hidden Advert software. My PC is much improved now.

Kevin.

what would scooby do

Yup as per Kevins suggestion get spybot Here

I use it all the time and its great.

Nicks VR4

Make sure you click on the updates before you run Spybot and Adware as new spyware detection is added
I would suggest you use both as some are missed by one or the other
Nick




[Edited by Nicks VR4 - 1/30/2004 8:56:46 AM]

scoobypreza

Thanks for your help guys.
I've got a big problem though this has happened on mr.scoobypreza's work laptop!!! aarrgghhhh
I don't even know if he is supposed to be using it for the internet.

There is no way I'm going to be able to wipe it clean because there are some things on it unique to his work and if I wipe it I wouldn't be able to put things back. I haven't even got the basic software to put back either.

Mr.Scoobypreza knows bugger all about computers and by the sounds of it now I'm not so hot either! lol

Ok I'm gonna download what you recommended and see what happens.
I might be back for more help soon!!!
Or looking for a job for mr.scooby if I stuff it up.
wish me luck!

thanks again
cath

Chris L

Cath

You're doing the right thing. I would use both Adaware and Spybot. These programs look into different areas of your PC. While Spybot is generally considered to be the more complete program, there are still some things that Adaware will pick up that Spybot doesn't (and vice versa) - I have numerous examples of this.

Both programs are very straightforward to use.

For future use I would like at a good software firewall (Kerio, Sygate & ZoneAlarm all come to mind (all free aswell)). If you need to update your anti virus software, then you can use AVG, which is also free for personal use and is updated on a regular basis.

Chris