Spyware problem

[Sweet Neko]

OK. So... I have this spyware problem on my computer, and this "information" spyware infection detected keeps poppping up. It's really starting to annoy me and this popup window keeps coming on screen. Is there any program I can use that can help me get rid of this spyware thing? My Norton Internet Liveupdate doesn't work because of some error.

Thanks :-) I'll really aprreciate if somebody can help

[lattae]

you can clean it up by installing one of the spyware removal programs... ( I usually use a combi of 2 or more just tomake sure that everything gets cleaned out)

Microsoft defender : http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Lavasoft Adware (my personal favourite... you should at least have this one):
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

Spybot search and destroy:
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html


You can also prevent popups with popup blockers.

[Sweet Neko]

OK Thanks so much! :-)

But for the one that you highly recommended, do I just let iit scan and then does it get rid of the spyware itself?

[Stevenz]

you also can try the Spyware Doctor.. I think it's the best anti spyware software around.. get it from: http://www.pctools.com

[lattae]

OK Thanks so much! :-)
But for the one that you highly recommended, do I just let iit scan and then does it get rid of the spyware itself?
yup... just make sure you run the webupdate to make sure the definition files are updated, then run the scan... it will identify the files, and you can ask the program to remove them.

I recommend running a scan once a week especially if you use the internet often. A full system scan may be good from time to time as well. Removal of spyware can make your com run faster!

(do note that sometimes the spyware will identify some "parts" of programs you installed... cos some programs that we DL from the net contains these files. Removal of such files may cause the program to malfunction. BUT then again, most trustworthy softwares do not install damaging spywares to your com... so it should be safe to remove. Some shady softwares, which trys to have hidden spy functions may malfunction.)

[Sweet Neko]

Really thanks! I'm really grateful :-) Becuase my Dad is really good with computers... and I don't want to get into trouble becuas eof wasting his time... Thanks for helping :-)

There~ :D

(BTW I tried Spyware Doctor before. I couldn't get rid of the spyware programs after the scan...:glug: )

[sagara0510]

some spyware programs are more aggressive in that some spyware programs don't seem to be able to get rid of them.

if that is the case with you then come back here and tell us.

tells us what the error messages are (if any)
what sort of pop ups they are
and what programs you used in attempts to remove it.

i hope u do manage to get rid of it. i hate spyware and whoever invented it is true evil.

[Sweet Neko]

I mangaed to get rid of the popup and the critical message things :)

I agree. Whoever invented spyware and trojan stuff... they should go to hell! They also installed porn/casino/nuisness and other stupid stuff onto my computer :-X

Anyways, the Lavasoft adware software really helped :) Thanks! :D

[7nameless7]

but wat i've noticed is the free spywere programmes they provided are just for a limited amount of time..
soon they'll expire and you would have to register which cost money.... i
think the best is reformat..
but you need a portable hard disk in order nt to lose the items you have in your computer..

[lattae]

but wat i've noticed is the free spywere programmes they provided are just for a limited amount of time..
soon they'll expire and you would have to register which cost money.... i
think the best is reformat..
but you need a portable hard disk in order nt to lose the items you have in your computer..
not everyone knows how to safely reformat their computers.

And I've been using lavasoft for years... they've never made me register :sweat:

[7nameless7]

hm... perhaps i dunno how to find such products..
but i usually get such softwares from my dad...
hes company has everything..
so sorry.. i dunno much bout such things..
anyways.. i also dunno how 2 reformat my com.. any1 noes how? pls pm me?

[Sweet Neko]

Reformating your computer? Don't you have to uninstalll everything and then reinstall everything into your system box again to do that?

Also anyone having problems with the Windows Update thing where it says that you have a fake Windows XP version?

[sagara0510]

i wouldn't recommend a reformat at this stage.

i would always consider a reformat as a last resort to get rid of a virus or spyware problem as it will cause you to lose everything you have on your computer and you will have to reinstall everything again after the reformat.

i'm not sure about your windows update thing. i haven't encountered any such problem but perhaps M$ are getting smarter now.

[navlem]

Spybot S&D is a good free program to use to remove spyware..

You can find it here : www.safer-networking.org

To prevent spywares from even entering your computer it is best to use SpywareBlaster :P

Which you can find it here : www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

If you are willing to pay for a good spyware remover/blocker program Spyware Doctor or SpySweeper will do the trick :)

Spyware Doctor : http://www.pctools.com/
SpySweeper (Recommended) : http://www.webroot.com/

[josh_yth]

About the window update, MS have been running that Active x codec to see if you have the real OS or not lately on everything on their site if you want to dl anything from their site, cause they started to crash down all the fake OS awhile ago, and start a program that will give you a real version if you tell MS where you get the fake from.

[navlem]

About the window update, MS have been running that Active x codec to see if you have the real OS or not lately on everything on their site if you want to dl anything from their site, cause they started to crash down all the fake OS awhile ago, and start a program that will give you a real version if you tell MS where you get the fake from.

Yes, but there is a way to get updates even though you have a non-genuine windows :P

So you do not have to worry if you have fake OS and do not want to let them know :)

[chineseguyjl]

ok i think i can help.

first of all if its just a spyware issue i highly recomend Ad-aware LE, next to that is spyware doctor. reason being in the new versions of spyware doctor they require you to upgrade, or register before u can remove the infections. if u need a registration number i can help you. if you know u got it through surfing the internet then it should still be in the temp folder or the temp internet files folder. in this case to be sure, you have to manually delete the files. open my computer > C:\Documents and Settings\"User"\Local Settings > go into both "temp" and the temp internet files one, and delete all the files. or just delete the folders (it will come back).

for formating. you dont need to reinstall everything, you just need to have another storage device handy.what you do is copy all the program files and documents and settings files to the hard drive. then format, then move them back. but... i recomend just backing up all the install files and documents, then format.

downloading updates on a illegal version of windows xp is easy. just put the automatic updates on (doesnt check, and not the update website) thats one way of working it. or just go to the website. also, ppl tell me that they see a test to see if the computer qualifies before they can update. if this happens to u, and u really really want updates then format and then go straight to the the website and download like crazy. oh yea, NEVER NEVER download the Windows Authentication blah blah blah.

those MS sons of Bs are getting smarter, the new OS: windows vista requires you to register online. instead of just a code.

[htruc]

My Spyware doesn't work properly now that I know I have a virus.

Has anybody ever had this virus, where you can't log into MSN Messenger and your Hotmail? It's that stupid 80072efd error. I've even remembered this code by heart. I've tried to seasrch for solutions and I can't.

OMG, stupid virus. I really need to use MSN Messenger and Hotmail. Does anyone here know to solve this problem? I'll be so happy.

[JianDan[Ai]]

My Spyware doesn't work properly now that I know I have a virus.
Has anybody ever had this virus, where you can't log into MSN Messenger and your Hotmail? It's that stupid 80072efd error. I've even remembered this code by heart. I've tried to seasrch for solutions and I can't.
OMG, stupid virus. I really need to use MSN Messenger and Hotmail. Does anyone here know to solve this problem? I'll be so happy.

That error is as u said, being caused by a virus, so spyware wont fix anything. There are lots of free virus scanner/removal programs on the internet that u can use without having to download it.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

I recommend using housecall, its reliable, fast, and best of all free =P

[chineseguyjl]

My Spyware doesn't work properly now that I know I have a virus.
Has anybody ever had this virus, where you can't log into MSN Messenger and your Hotmail? It's that stupid 80072efd error. I've even remembered this code by heart. I've tried to seasrch for solutions and I can't.
OMG, stupid virus. I really need to use MSN Messenger and Hotmail. Does anyone here know to solve this problem? I'll be so happy.
This can be caused by many issues, first i recomend that u try this: click "Tools" and then "options" at your MSN Messenger main window. In the options screen click "Connection" in the list to the left. Next, click the "Advanced Settings" button. If you (likely) do not use a proxy server, try unchecking all the checkboxes except the one labeled TCP and see if you can connect now.
# In Internet Explorer: click Tools, then Internet Options, select the "connections" tab. Try unchecking (if checked) "Use a proxy server for LAN" and check "Automatically detect settings.".
if it still wont connect try deleting all of ur cookies, temp internet files, and temp files.

hope this helps

[htruc]

Thanks but both doesn't work. I've tried them.

It's even hard for me cause I can't even access some of those free virus removal programs. Likethe one you mentioned, www.housecall.trendmicro.com doesn't even appear, it says 'Cannot Find Page' but I went on it as www.housecall65.trendmicro.com and it works. Did the scan, cleaned and whatever, but it doesn't work.

And I've tried the Tools, Connections, and things on MSN Messenger, but it wouldn't work. It says I have no connection or whatever. And I've deleted all cookies and stuff.

By the way, I have Windows Live Messenger.

Any other ways that I can solve the problem?

[IsaBonita]

thanks everyone also from my side
for replying to this thread
i have kinda the same problem, but
i think not is this extreme way
i just have the problem, when i open my
standart-start site in Mozilla Firefox
therwe appears a POPUP, mostly about the casino stuff
already had LAVASOFT installed and scanned it various times
but it didnt help~
now i am downloading your suggestions, hop
that helps

i have also a question
besides that the Spyware thing is juz annoying is it also
dangerous?


sorry i really have no idea of stuff like that ><-

thanks
isa:whistle: :whistle:

[7nameless7]

just a few words of advise from my 100 times of experience of this spywere thing.. Norton is not as good as it used to anymore.. i dunno y.. the last time i used Norton 2 scan.. there were none detected.. n wen i installed another spywere protection programme, it even detected trojan!! lol.. i suggest u guys start using another protect mean.. oh yes.. this is just my personal experience.. i mayb wrong.. so yups.. any program could b good if it can protect our computers :))

[IsaBonita]

well i dont ue Norton at all ~
but i would also be very bemused
because now you, a PC expert and the buddy from my moms work say Norton is actually bad and doesnt help~

but i mean if its bad, why is it so well known?:? :?

[7nameless7]

PC expert?? who?? last time there werent such things called spyware i think..
and norton was famous for anti virus only.. not anti- trojan or anti-spywere.. so probably because of tat which made them famous.. but now wif higher technology.. and better softwares.. new virus or computer destroyers have been made 2 destroy our coms.. i hate 2 say it but.. i think those who made such rubbish actually are quite talented.. only tat they dun learn hw 2 make use of their knowledge in good use.. (=

[liliceprincess]

ohh spyware i have had this problem more than 2 times now >< and this is my 4th computer that i have since like the past two years. I have seen that spyware can really destroy a computer depending on how bad it is. Mm the definite thing for me that i have realized to get is McAfee Security Centers. Cause like they can see any virus and spyware at least for me and have caused less trouble for me

I have tried a lot of those before and it seemed to not have helped with my severe spyware >< and it had killed two computers where it had to be sent off to be fixed. But even then, at times it would come back easily knowing the computer and how to get into it.

Best thing for me is to know what you DL from and know the sites or else dont try to go into them because then, it would be easier to get spyware in. I would agree use the websites the others have referred to. But if that doesnt work, then it goes to reformatting the computer. What i had done was save everything and burn it onto a disk or something. Therefore things arent too lose. And just go from there.

In addition with the comments of trojan, mmm its not as bad as spyware can do to the computer but its best to avoid trojan too. I have had it twice and my computer has only been in my possession for 6 months or so. Trojan can be a pain when it is in the computer for too long.

[BlueChaos]

The best anti-spyware suite I've found so far is Ewido.

http://download.com/3001-8022_4-10543926.html

It can seem to catch and capture many spywares other programs can't catch. Last night out of curiousity I downloaded it and ran a scan on my system, and I was surprised when I found 50 infections when I think my protection has been good enough. You gotta pay for this software but you have a free 15-day trial so use it well and scan your PC. There's some *coughcrackscough* out there to make it unlimited if you know where to find one.

[Donny]

its been 5 yrs adn my pc still survive. hehe!~ anyone wanna know wad i use? not Ridsect if tat's wad u think. haha!

well it all depends on luck. my fren don even use a firewall, only an anti-virus/anti-spyware, and his pc nv get bombed. hoho~

[BlueChaos]

well it all depends on luck. my fren don even use a firewall, only an anti-virus/anti-spyware, and his pc nv get bombed. hoho~
You never know, my friend. My laptop is also going smooth without any problems, so I thought it was okay, and I was surprised to find there was 50 infections in my laptop after all. It never hurts to scan your system once in a while and get the bugs out of the system.

[Donny]

of coz we need to scan our system (*i mean pc and notebook) occasionally. i scan my pc and notebook, well... every month, if i'm free. and nv had any problems. not even spyware and ad-ware.

but back in last yr, i ever had problems, that is, every scan results in 7~8 spywares, and even after treatments and removals, i stil found them in my system after a month, or even a week. XD *sigh*

[chineseguyjl]

ok then... back to the problem.. have u tried disabling the "messenger" (not releated to msn" in ur services? and make sure the http service is enabled, and that port 80 is open

also, norton isnt a very good anti-virus or anti-worm program anymore.. the best one i've tested so far is AVG Pro.

[htruc]

Problem: 80072efd (Forgot error code, it was mentioned in my other post)

I'm at work right now so I can't really do anything. But I can't log into MSN.

My friend said to delete this "Trixie" thing in Add/Remove Programs, but I never had that and I still can't log in to MSN or Hotmail. And some of those Spyware sites.

I don't know if my Norton was affected by it or it just expired. But one of the other Norton thing keeps on freezing when I open it.

Even when I download things, it hits 99% and freezes there and you have to wait for like 5 minutes for it to disappear. And when I try to open Microsoft Word, it takes 5 minutes to load.

And what do you mean disabling "messenger"?

Help me!!! Please!

[jitjian]

get spybot search and destroy.
that program is free and is always recommended by techies for it's simplicity

and:
To remove messenger,

"What is Windows Messenger?
Windows Messenger is the Microsoft instant messaging program built into Windows XP. There is also a Windows Messenger service built into Windows XP that helps produce pop up ads via IP addresses. The two programs are completely separate and do different things even though Microsoft has essentially named them the same.

For information on how to disable the Windows messenger service visit one of my other pages located here.


Windows Messenger (the chat program) is equally annoying if you dont use instant messaging. Microsoft has tightly integrated this program into many of its other programs including Outlook Express, Outlook and Remote Assistance. However there are ways to either disable it from starting, remove it, or for the most part completely get rid of it.

How do I disable Windows Messenger from running?

The procedures for disabling Windows Messenger will depend on the version of Windows Messenger installed on your computer.

Windows Messenger 4.0 or Later on a Windows XP Professional

1) Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then press ENTER
2) Double-click the following items to expand them:

* Local Computer Policy
* Computer Configuration
* Administrative Templates
* Windows Components
* Windows Messenger

3) Double-click on the option "Do not allow Windows Messenger to run", and then click Enabled.
4) Click OK, and then close the window

Windows Messenger 4.0 on a Windows XP Home Edition

1) Start Windows Messenger.
2) Click Options on the Tools menu.
3) Click the Preferences tab, click to clear the "Run this program when Windows starts" check box, and then click OK.

Windows Messenger 4.5 or Later on Either Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type REGEDIT and Press Enter
3) Click on the Pluses (+) next to the following items

* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
* Software
* Policies
* Microsoft

4) If the folder Messenger is not listed, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Messenger for the name of the new registry key
5) If the folder Client is not listed under Messenger, click on the Edit menu, point to New, click Key, and then type Client for the name of the new registry key
6) On the Edit Menu, point to New, click DWORD Value, and then type PreventRun for the name of the new DWORD value. Remember all of this is case sensitive.
7) Right-click the PreventRun value that you created, click Modify, type 1 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
8) Quit Registry Editor.

How to Stop Outlook or Outlook Express
from Running Windows Messenger When They Are Opened

Outlook
1) Open Outlook
2) Click on Tools, Options
3) Click "Other" tab
4) Uncheck the box for Enable Instant Messaging in Microsoft Outlook
5) Click OK

Outlook Express
1) Open Outlook Express
2) Click Tools, Options
3) Click General tab
4) Uncheck the box for Automatically log on to Windows Messenger
5) Click OK

What about Removing Messenger or Uninstalling Windows Messenger from Windows XP

The procedure for removing Windows Messenger depends on whether your system has Windows XP Service Pack 1 installed. To determine whether Service Pack 1 is installed follow these directions:

1) Click on Start
2) Right click on My Computer
3) Click on Properties
4) On the General tab, under System if the words "Service Pack 1" are listed you have the service pack.

Removing Messenger from computers WITHOUT Service Pack 1 installed

Make sure your Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Windows Messenger and other programs are closed before doing this.

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type the following (or cut and paste it) into the Run line

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

3) Click on OK

Removing Messenger from computers WITH Service Pack 1 installed

1) Click on Start, Control Panel
2) Double click on Add or Remove Programs
3) Select Add/Remove Windows Components
4) Uncheck Windows Messenger
5) Click Next
6) Click Finish
7) Restart your computer

How to Remove Windows Messenger from Outlook Express

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type REGEDIT and Press Enter
3) Click on the Pluses (+) next to the following items

* HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
* Software
* Microsoft
* Outlook Express

4) Right click on the Outlook Express folder, click on New, click on DWORD value, and then type Hide Messenger for the name of the new registry key
5) Right-click the Hide Messenger value that you created, click Modify, type 2 in the Value data box, and then click OK.
8) Quit Registry Editor. "

read through and find out which option suits you.

[htruc]

First of all, thanks!

I've download Spybot Search and Destroy, however it won't work because there's that virus. Some error.

And why would I need to disable Windows Messenger? Would it help remove the virus? (Trying to be nice here, sorry for the wording)