Malware/Spyware Removal Guide

Dr_Ali_G

Can anyone help? I have managed to delete a program called spylocked with the help of SpyHunter and KillBox (this seems very good at deleteing files which others can not due them running/not found, at the time of deletion). I have also now run SpyBot, but SpyBot indicates that SpyHunter is a Spyware/Malware is this true?
I am running (don't laugh) window ME, can any one recommed a decent anti spyware program for continued protection?

sho_me_da_money

If you follow my last link, i think there are two user apps for you Ali G:

AVG Anti-Spyware

and

Adaware SE Edition

Take a peep at the link and see if theres something useful for you.

Browntoa

those two bits of software are already linked to in the first post in THIS thread (someones just trying to get you to go to their own web site, are'nt they mr money)

or go here direct to the manufacturers site (where it is ALWAYS best to download from rather some unknown source)

AVG anti-spyware

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5#avg-anti-spyware-free

Ad-Aware

http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

and a much FULLER guide to all the free virus/malware stuff available here on the forum

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=3356

and loads more answers to your tech questions

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=25780

sho_me_da_money

No disrespect, but im not a malicious person nor work to my own benefits here.

I have no clue as to where those programs were mentioned on the MSE boards and quite frankly i do not have the time to mess about in finding out.

If those programs are mentioned on the board as you say, then pleae have a snap at Ali G, who also did search for them or probably chose to just ask without faffing around.

With the exact intentions as Ai G, i did the same thing - I did not faff about looking or posting direct links for the applications. Instead i pasted a link that is bookmarked on my PC.

I have helped many people in this techie board. I take offence to your assumption irrespective of the time i have been an MSE member.

p.s. "always go to the exact source" - great advice but practice what you preach because im willing to bet my left testicle that MSE is bombarded with non-direct links, which on the balance of probability, you've clicked on.

Browntoa

I can register a web site , embed a virus renamed as AVGinstaller.exe and let anyone who downloads it get stung...hence my advice to ALWAYS go to the direct source, and not someones web site (no matter how real it looks)

how many people get stung by going to spoof paypal/ebay/bank sites !!!

your site may be good intentioned but why the need to have referral tradeboubler links in it ????.....

there are no adverts on this forum ??

sho_me_da_money

I agree with you.

No arguments for me on this end.

Not sure about tradedoubler ads on the page that link goes to- i dont think there is at least.

Dr_Ali_G

Thanks for yor help, but these don't work. I'm running ME you need 2000 for AVG (or so it tells me. perhaps you know a way round this?). The lava soft wont' run either?(says ask the help desk, but this like finding Sheargar).

Perhaps this money saving idea of only useing operating systems (an old machines) that do what you want, instead of making more money for Bill Gates is not such a good idea with these parasites around?

Are there any experts in ME that could help, I don't really want to junk this perfectly good computer just because of some low life (with no life) that writes this sort of malware/virus crap, is watching what I do.

Browntoa

ad-aware

http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal_sys_req.php

and Spybot

http://www.spybot.info/en/download/index.html

will both work on Me...

just remember to scan the Pc in Safe mode

spud17

I sometimes use an old PC with win98se, I can confirm the latest versions of ad-aware, spybot and AVGfree all work fine.
Zonealarm will only work using outdated versions.
Spyware Terminator will also work, but without the Realtime Shield.
AVG Antispyware will not work.

Also remember, it's OK installing all these programs, but don't forget to scan your computer at regular intervals.

I'm a novice, but a workmate I thought was an experienced user, said he always aborted any scheduled scans because he didn't have time to wait for his laptop to finish scanning.

Guess what happened?
Yep, he lost a load of unbacked up (is that a word) photos.

Dr_Ali_G

Thanks for all your help I think it all works, this is my routine,
In normal mode check for up dates for the following,
AVAST,
AdAwere,
SuperAntiSpyware.

Reboot in safe mode and run the same programs letting them fix everything they find. I also make sure that the quarantined files are deleted before leaving safe mode.
Finally run CCleaner.

Reboot in normal mode and re-run AdAwere (just because it's quick) just to make sure.

Is this o.k. ? Any other sugestions are welcome.

I'm sorry to bother you again but can you help with a question on the restore piont, this being, in normal mode when I go to,
My computer, properties, performance, file system, trouble shooting,
the "disable syetem restore" flag is always ticked, why is this ? Should I be concerned. How do I create a clean restore piont (what is a restore piont?, and how would I use it?). Thanks again