Unremovable Spyware!

zcaprd7

Claddy - try these ones - its usually best to have a few spyware killers:

Try Spybot "search and destroy":


http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Tis free and usually does the job...

EDIT: Also try this to scan a system first:

http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/supportus.phtml

(its quicker to scan first then run spybot)

winwinwintk

I decided to go for what I thought may be the easiest option, so I jumped in the tardis and travelled back to a pre-hijack date by performing a system restore. I ran Ad-Aware 6.0 and got the all-clear! (Couldn't update Spybot_got "bad check sum" message, whatever that means, so didn't bother scanning). I've since gone on to install Spyware Blaster 3.2 to guard against spyware installing in the first instance.

However, I'm now experiencing multiple "Messenger Service" pop-ups clearly aimed at AOL customers (despite being protected by Zone Alarm 5 and Norton anti-viral software, which I keep updated). Does this suggest that I'm still being spied upon?

All those spies & hijackers were starting to grind me down but these forums are like a "Penny-Pinchers-Priory"_ ie great virtual help/therapy/rehab at no cost! A big thank you to each and every one of you above!

lellie

I somehow got infectied with "active atom" which I can't remove no matter how hard I try..

I'm a very experienced user and have used adaware, spybot, hijack this,cwshredder and millions of other things and nothing has removed it..

I've got system restore turned off as it uses up resources and is usually a load of smelly pants.. so can't do that..

I've got a spyware thing that detects it everytime it tries to do something (such as rehijack my homepage and start up on startup) so I can minimise the risk but I just want rid of it properly..

it's doing my head in and although my pc is due a reinstall (windows is getting crappy as it does..) I don't really want to yet as I don't fancy backing up 40gb+ of files

lellie

hmmm.. I'm just thinking.. anyone got any idea what it hides itself under in the registry.. I presume active atom makes up a weird name for itself in there.. I need to remove it from teh start up list..

Robin_T_Cox

I'm now experiencing multiple "Messenger Service" pop-ups clearly aimed at AOL customers (despite being protected by Zone Alarm 5 and Norton anti-viral software, which I keep updated). Does this suggest that I'm still being spied upon?

To stop this type of pop-up, use:
http://grc.com/stm/ShootTheMessenger.htm

winwinwintk

I appreciate your help Robin. Hopefully I'll be surfing in peace now that I've downloaded Shoot the Messenger (and Spyware Blaster). Thanks a lot for those two top tips.

blood

hmmm.. I'm just thinking.. anyone got any idea what it hides itself under in the registry.. I presume active atom makes up a weird name for itself in there.. I need to remove it from teh start up list..

Is it not in the system32 folder?? I've got a trojan dll file which has embedded itself much in the same way. Cant get rid of it. Even a system restore didn't work as it's in part of the system start and not in windows itself. I've even found my one... but the little !!!!!! wont budge..... >:(

lellie

Is it not in the system32 folder?? I've got a trojan dll file which has embedded itself much in the same way. Cant get rid of it. Even a system restore didn't work as it's in part of the system start and not in windows itself. I've even found my one... but the little !!!!!! wont budge.....   >:(

it's in the program files folders but I can't get it out of the start up registry even though I'd deleted it a hundred times..

went for a reformat! worked a treat.. pity I have hundreds of things to reinstall now..