[BoomBox]

Ok, so after somehow getting a buncha spyware on my computer, I need help.

I've already been over to majorgeeks and tried EVERYTHING they've got. I am a member, but I just don't want to be a hassle and post yet ANOTHER smitfraud problem for them to fix.

I do not surf any sites that are distasteful, claim to have cracks for software, or anything like that. I am SO safe with my computer that the only places I ever visit are in my favorites: mostly clubxb and teamscionrg....there is the occassional photobucket and gaming websites......

The only way I can think they get on here is when my mom clicks on links in emails from her co-workers....but she hasn't been on this computer since she was able to get a laptop to bring home - which we have on a seperate network.

Anyways, is there anyone here that is VERY spyware/adware/malware/virus savvy? How about that it's your paying job to get these things fixed? I don't have much, or I WOULD take it somehwere, but most of the places charge 50 just to look at it, and then 60+ an hour for labor.....

If it comes down to it, I'll just reinstall windows AGAIN. I just don't want to have to go through the trouble of calling microsoft support to get it fully 'licensed' or whatever. That was the worst 30 minutes I spent talking to someone who barely spoke any english, and they had the nerve to tell me that I was installing it on another computer, other than the ONLY one it's ever been on.

Microsoft Jerks.

[xjeepguy]

Lavasoft Adaware is a free download and will wipe your PC clean of pesky adware. It rules.

[BoomBox]

Ok, I don't think you know of my type of infection.

I have used adaware, spybot, win defender, vundofix, smitfraudfix, tenebril soft, acrovax(whatever it's called) and anything out there you can get. This requires A LOT of work to get it out of the computer.

do a google search on smitfraud and you'll come across the majorgeeks site about it. go and read the how-to and you'll see why I don't wanna take a few hours to do it......

Adaware just scratches the surface of this infection, TRUST ME, I've been reading up on it since Friday night.

[surfcitylocal]

Short of following their directions or doing Windows over again you're not gonna be able to get rid of the spyware. A more appropriate term would be malware since it's designed to turn your computer into a clone and do the bidding of whoever wrote the program. The hackers now write the code to attach itself to parts of Windows that can't be removed without killing your system.

There's always the other solution...get a MAC!

[xB_Box]

YUP its all about the MAC's
Well i get paid to fix MAC and PC's. What i use for work its called AVG. they just released a new spyware tool that has worked better that spybot. and its free, it was rancked number 1 by pc mag, even beating out other virus software that are not free.
Here is the link:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

let me know how it turns out. it helps to run it in safe mode.

[BoomBox]

I've been hearing issues with macs as well. It's not just a PC problem anymore, and even my good ol buddies over at adult swim have cracked a few jokes about the 'superior' mac os.

Anyways, I seriously have EVERYTHING you can get, even both proggies from AVG. I was just looking for someone on here to help me instead of bothering the guys over at majorgeeks with yet another smitfraud problem. I've followed their instructions they gave to other people with good results, but some things just won't get taken out.

I guess I'll just have to take a few hours out of my life and just do it.
Nike.

[Tomas]

Yeah, Macs are not 'immune' to problems or attacks, but with Macs, most attacks do require the active involvement of the Mac owner, at least, since most really serious disasters need to have an administrator password entered to happen. So far I only know of one potentially serious attack that manages to get by that by entering new files in the 'library' without need of a password. Hopefully that newly found opening will be fixed, soon. (Still leaves the problems running about 100,000:1, Windows:Mac, though.)

I suspect you need to reinstall the whole works. Some you just can't dig out no matter how hard you work at it, and it sounds like you've given a try with all the tools you have available to you.

Tomas

[Mad_Sciontist]

You're prolly better off reformatting and starting over. If it's a legit copy you don't have to call Microsoft just reg online. As long as you have the KEY# should be no problem. I reformat for peeps all the time. I only charge $45.00 and make house calls local...LOL I build quite a few computers for people and they tell their friends who call me to fix the ones they F#@% up. I've never had to call Microsoft when reinstalling. Good luck if I were closer I'd help ya.

[Tomas]

Malware-test.com tests the Malware Cleanup Success Rate for many major AntiMalware vendors. The results current as of August 26,2006 are as follows:

* Trend Micro Anti-Spyware: 71.17%
* Sunbelt CounterSpy: 68.47%
* Webroot Spy Sweeper: 65.77%
* ewido anti-spyware: 62.16%
* McAfee antispyware: 62.16%
* PC Tools Spyware Doctor: 59.46%
* Norton Internet Security: 54.05%
* Computer Associate Anti-Spyware: 49.55%
* BitDefender Internet Security: 48.65%
* Microsoft Windows Defender: 44.14%
* F-Secure Internet Security: 44.14%
* a-squared Anti-Malware: 43.24%
* SpywareTerminator: 41.44%
* ZeroSpyware: 41.44%
* Lavasoft Ad-Aware: 39.64%
* Panda Platinum Internet Security: 38.74%
* ZoneAlarm Anti-spyware: 38.74%
* Spybot S&D: 38.74%
* SUPERAntispyware: 36.94%
* Arovax AntiSpyware: 35.14%
* Ashampoo AntiSpyWare: 33.33%
* Kaspersky Internet Security: 32.43%
* NOD32: 30.63%
* Agnitum Outpost Firewall Pro: 22.52%
* Comodo AntiVirus: 18.02%
* Aluria Anti-Spyware: 9.00%

“The most popular brands of antivirus on the market have an 80 percent miss rate. So if you are running these pieces of software, eight out of 10 pieces of malicious code are going to get in,” claimed Graham Ingram, general manager of Australia’s Computer Emergency Response Team (AusCERT).

[Cravin]

spywarewarrior.com

spywareinfo.com/

These sites have helped me out, I reccomend them. I would say if its not worth your time to spend getting rid of the malware as a challenge then just backup the stuff you need and reformat, its much faster to do a reinstall generally. After you get a fresh windows install with all of the updates and programs reinstalled then make a HD image when its pristine that way when it gets buggered up you can restore your baby back to new.

[BoomBox]

I'm already partway through with the people over at majorgeeks. We've gone through step one, and they are now checking the latest logs I have sent them. I think after the the next check or so I should be good.

[surfcitylocal]

Reinstalling Windows XP:

[BoomBox]

I'll agree to that. I am, however, just not keen on getting Apple products.....Although I do have an old skool shuffle...

WHICH IM SELLING!
Nothing's wrong with it, I just don't use it.

[surfcitylocal]

[BoomBox]

We've gone through step 2 of the process and things just keep getting better and better. I guess they help you out once a day or so. I will keep everyone updated on how this finishes up.

BTW, Since mac's don't have as many options as a PC, it's why I like my PC. It's built by me, not be Dell, Gateway, or any crappy prebuilt company....

Yeah, apple now has what was it, Intel processors?

[MrSparkle]

I have used and had to cleanup spyware for not only my own computer but other people's as well. although adaware and spybot work ok, they didnt ever clear up the really difficult ones.

Download superantispyware, then clear out all your cookies and files. let it run through a couple times and you should be good to go. That software has worked better than any other one I have used.

[BoomBox]

It's already been done. If ANYONE ever needs help getting their computer infectoin free, PLEASE go on over to majorgeeks.com and check out their forums. Chaslang, came back tonight and helped me finish things up.

My computer is free of all the baddies, and even more optimized than before, he helped me clean up a thing or two at startup that didn't need to be there - legit programs.

From now on when I have stuff go down like that, I'm heading over there, I suggest to anyone to do the same.

[surfcitylocal]

Originally Posted by BoomBox

It's already been done. If ANYONE ever needs help getting their computer infectoin free, PLEASE go on over to majorgeeks.com and check out their forums. Chaslang, came back tonight and helped me finish things up.

My computer is free of all the baddies, and even more optimized than before, he helped me clean up a thing or two at startup that didn't need to be there - legit programs.

From now on when I have stuff go down like that, I'm heading over there, I suggest to anyone to do the same.

*Now just stay off the porn sites.

*It's not the processesors that I don't like about Windows, it's the operating system. It's like using a chain link fence to keep out mustard gas.

[BoomBox]

Porn sites huh? Ha! Last time I was at a porn site was about 6 months ago.....Mail order is the way to go man......LMAO.

No, in all seriousness, I have no clue how it got itself on, I'm sure if it's a vulnerability (which I'm sure it is) Macroshaft will have an update patch for it soon.

Although I use Firefox heavily, and not IE......Bah well, someone's bound to fix it....

[Tomas]

Originally Posted by surfcitylocal

*Now just stay off the porn sites.

*It's not the processesors that I don't like about Windows, it's the operating system. It's like using a chain link fence to keep out mustard gas.

I've always liked this pic of someone's idea of Windows Security from a few years ago.



Tomas