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Xenophon

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Hi, for the last week my computer has been giving me headaches. Number one I don't know if it is spam or what but I keep on getting pop-ups and shortcuts and/or programs of porn loading on my computer.

I don't have anything that needs to connect to the web when I start my pc, but it does try to connect now by itself. I have run PC Cillin, I have checked out MSCONFIG, I have checked for unknown programs (found them).

But still it gives me problems. My computer runs slow, keeps on bombing out for no reason. Some programs which used to work before doesn't wanna launch even though it shows you on the taskmanager it is running.

It also keeps on changing my user logon to the internet. Then it interferes with the internet connection where I have to uninstall/reinstall my modem (Iburst).

PLS HELP IT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY:mad:
 
Sounds like a spyware infestation.

Use the following to start clearing it:

Spybot

Ad Aware

MS AntiSpyware

Install and update these and then run them.

Remember to turn of system restore running these programs, since they can use it to reinfest the system.

If the infestation is really bad, a Windows reinstall might be needed, but first try these and report back.
 
And dont click on "Naked Pictures of Brad Pitt Here - Free" links. They are a scam:D

Added: As supersunbird said, download Spybot & Ad Aware. Between those two you should clear any infections up. Also if you on XP turn off system restore, do a complete virus scan, then scan with those 2. When you all done turn system restore back on.
 
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hhhm, yeah i never knew about the system restore thing. thx guys, you learn something new every day ;)
 
Just to elaborate, often when you scan for, find and delete viruses with an anti-virus or removal tool etc, the virus can hide in the system restore part of the hard drive so even though its deleted from your 'day to day' part of the hard drive, it just keeps coming back.

Have you had any luck Xen?
 
Well, its all gained throught hard learned experience cleaning peoples systems that have heavy spyware infestations, seems like when one hole is opened more and more can get in.

Some are so bad I just run files and settings transfer wizard (, under systems tools, doesnt nornally carry over spyware) to another harddrive, format and reinstall their windows and upadte it, install the anti spyware stuff, and all their programs, then run the files and settings transfer wizard again to put their system back to how it was, except faster and spyware free.

These spyware writers sure know how to make them cling.
 
no luck so far.

Downloaded spyware and still working on it. Only problem with all the bl33dy pop ups it capped me last night so tonight I have to try fix it without checking in with you guys.

Will give you feedback tomorrow morning again.
 
If you're using Windows, try running the anyti-spyware apps in "Safe mode". It avoids some of the start-ups and memory resident apps.
 
Xen, once you have updated your AV, downloaded and updated the recommended anti-spyware apps above and turned off system restore, reboot into safe mode and run them all. If you get any alerts try get the details that the apps give you like the name of the spyware etc and post it here.
 
ic said:
...Windoze heXPee...
Click to expand...
LOL

I refer to it as eXtra Problems...

Prefer Knoppix Live CD, but to each his own, as long as you're confident with the tools you want to use... and it helps you out of a tight jam.

Wish I could have helped Xeno... ah well...

Anyway, I've learnt the hard way with Windoze is, if you want to surf "risky" sites, then you create an user with basic rights, this will help in stopping certain forms of infestations. The drawback of this is that you can't install software or map network drives. But then again, YMMV.
 
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