How to get rid of Adware / Spyware

JackTheTripper

JackTheTripper

Shotline For Mod
Download both these free programs. Run them on a regular basis. You should run both as each get's some spyware the other does not. Always check for updates before running.

These programs are free but I highly recommend sending them a donation especially if they actually get rid of something on your computer. $5 is better than throwing out your computer and buying a new one, no? ;)

Ad-Aware

SpyBot
 
Tacky1

Tacky1

Well-known member
Also, another good tool is the CWS removal tool whitch can be removed with this little software app...:)

CWS Adaware removal tool.


CWS is a trojan that hijacks Internet Explorer start and search settings to one of several different web sites. Most of these web sites appear to have an affiliate relationship with coolwebsearch.com in which coolwebsearch pays them for every visitor they refer. There could be other domains involved in the future.
Click to expand...


More info here..

:)
 
Last edited:
Harley999

Harley999

Well-known member
just recently i had a major spy/ad problem, none of the major apps would get rid of my spyware including adaware, spybot, giant, or adawares vx2 plugin, i followed the manual instructions that lavasoft adaware has here: http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?showtopic=54511

it got rid of the most recent vx2 problem i had that none of the anti spyware would get rid of, hopefully it helps anyone else who runs into this nasty malware, i was at my wits end and was about to do a clean install of windows..
 
uhmeebuh

uhmeebuh

Ginger Ape
Yup, Ad-aware and Spybot are the way to go. I also recommend House Call from Trend Micro It's an online virus/trojan scan that's updated almost daily.

Be sure to run these in Safe Mode with Networking to be sure you can access as much of the HD as possible while running the OS.

And try to not use Internet Explorer. Most nasty ad-ware/spyware/viruses/trojans tend to be based on IE. Use
Mozilla Firefox as an alternative web browser.
 
D

Dragon

Guest
One utility I use is called HiJackThis available on download.com

Some really bad malware like CWS (coolwebsearch) will manifest it self as popups that occour WHENEVER you have a network connection (and IE isn't even open)

CWSSHredder may not get rid of it- you have to manually remove some .dll files (for experienced users only)
--------------------------------------------------------


The best way to get rid of it is to prevent it:

--------------------------------------------------------

If you choose to reinstall your OS or you have a new computer:

If you run WinXP- make sure all the microsoft patches and SP2 is installed.

Install Spybot and use the immunization function and tea-timer.

Download and install spywareblaster from www.download.com.

(If you have already spent over an hour cleaning up spyware: a clean install will save you a few more hours of agonizing scanning and rebooting;) )
 
Deeter

Deeter

Use only as directed
FWIW, the MS Anti-Spyware Beta seems to do the job well enough and it's free to commercial/institutional end-users with legit Windows licenses, unlike ad-aware and sypbot.
 
D

Dragon

Guest
If the spyware is THAT bad... instead of spending hours trying to fix it:

1-Do a fresh install of windows (as in format your PC)
(Don't go surfing untill all of this is done)
2-Make sure your OS patches current
3-Install Spybot Search and Destroy and use the immunize and teatimer utilities
4-Install spywareblaster
5- BUY a good antivirus program (www.trendmicro.com)
6- Make sure all of the above programs are up to date.
7- Stop looking at questionable websites
8-Install the googletoolbar w/ the pop-up blocker


~~~Prevention is the key here~~~


Also: Only download spybot and spyware blaster from www.download.com

Don't click on ANY popup that looks like a windows error or anything that says "you may have spyware"

I also suggest that if you use spybot that you donate :teeth
NOTE:
 
Valgar

Valgar

Fighting solves everything.
Staff member
:x

1669875-getfirefox.jpg
 
keshon

keshon

Well-known member
Dragon said:
If the spyware is THAT bad... instead of spending hours trying to fix it:

1-Do a fresh install of windows (as in format your PC)
(Don't go surfing untill all of this is done)
2-Make sure your OS patches current
3-Install Spybot Search and Destroy and use the immunize and teatimer utilities
4-Install spywareblaster
5- BUY a good antivirus program (www.trendmicro.com)
6- Make sure all of the above programs are up to date.
7- Stop looking at questionable websites
8-Install the googletoolbar w/ the pop-up blocker


~~~Prevention is the key here~~~


Also: Only download spybot and spyware blaster from www.download.com

Don't click on ANY popup that looks like a windows error or anything that says "you may have spyware"

I also suggest that if you use spybot that you donate :teeth
NOTE:
Click to expand...

I have done that twice, definitely fixes everything
 
mjrydsfast

mjrydsfast

Well-known member
Aluria

Aluria is what I use. I bought Ad-Aware and lost it three days after I had to do a hard install of XP. When I tried to get it back (I bought it legally online, no disk, big mistake), I couldn't get anyone there to respond. I then did a search and found Ad Aware was ranked DEAD LAST in customer service by PC. Aluria was almost as good, 5 of 5 stars, and had a far better customer service rating. It only failed to do one small thing that AD Aware did but from my non-geek perspective, it wasn't a huge deal. So, while AD AwARE truly is number one, be warned if you buy it. Have a hard copy and don't plan on getting any answers to your questions. My .2 cents...:x
 
Visions

Visions

Well-known member
Ok, there is no need to reformat a PC because of Spyware.....this takes hours if you have as many programs as I do!

If you never want spyware EVER on your PC get these 5 free simple and free programs

1. Download Ewido security suite
2. Download Hi-jack this......best thing around to look at regvalues
3. download Dr.web-cureit
4. download Cleanup!
5. Spybot S&D

These programs will rid your pc of any spyware infection you might have.....if you dont want to get all of these and know computers relatively well, just get Hijack this and cleanup.

I would also recommend regscrub xp to clean up old programs still in the registry.

If you are having a hard time determining what to delete when using hijack this, simply click on the save log part and PM me and I will help you.

Edit: Lavasofts Adaware actually installs spyware on your PC....
 
Nemesis

Nemesis

Well-known member
I'm surprised a lot of you guys haven't mentioned Virobot, Spyware Doctor, and Window Washer.

Running the three combined (recommended by my computer repairman) have caught all viruses, spyware, and adware.

PC Magazine rated Spyware Doctor in the Top 5 (rated 1st and 2nd).

Virobot, a lot of people haven't heard about this program because so much hype is put into brand names like Norton and McAfee and others, but this real-time eradication program works wonderfully and rated/recommended highly.

Also, Window Washer deletes all those cookies that may have adware/spyware attached to them.

Try it out. You won't be disappointed.
 
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