A spyware problem

Legacy_user

Over the last couple of days i have noticed what i think is a spyware problem. On a daily basis i delete the cookies on my pc as well as using the quick clean programme on Norton SystemWorks. I also run Ad-Aware too as i go on a lot of cashback sites. However over the last few days i have noticed when i run Ad-Aware, theres a recurring tracking cookie that needs deleting time after time because it keeps coming back.

Last night before i went to bed i did my usual checks to eradicate unwanted cookies/spyware and deleted the lot and ive just logged on again today and done a scan, although ive not been on any cashback sites today and its still there. I did a right click on the name of this spyware and Ad-Aware tells me the item detected is called BargainBuddy. The Lavasoft site tells me this about it:

http://www.lavasoftnews.com/ms/display_main.php?tac=BargainBuddy

but it really doesnt tell me how to get rid of it. I have done a search on my pc for BargainBuddy, but it doesnt bring anything up. Has anyone any ideas as what i can try to get rid of it? I must add, Norton SystemWorks and Ad-Aware are checked for updates on a regular basis.

espresso

Have you tried running Spybot?

f1charlie

Symantec claims to have a removal tool:

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2003-080112-2214-99&tabid=3

EDIT ... but it isn't there!

But there are manual removal instructions - a bit longwinded.

Charlie

dazed

its here

http://sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.bargainbuddy.html

f1charlie

The direct link to it still isn't on that page, but after a couple of clicks from there, this is the page with the download link on it:

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2003-080112-2214-99

Charlie

dazed

f1charlie wrote:

The direct link to it still isn't on that page, but after a couple of clicks from there, this is the page with the download link on it:

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2003-080112-2214-99

Charlie

It is if you click the download removal tool button mate

Well it is for me in firefox anyways :P

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FixBargainbuddy.exe

f1charlie

Doh, I need to clean me specs and it WAS on my original link, just not as bleedin' obvious as on yours!

Charlie

dazed

f1charlie wrote:

Doh, I need to clean me specs and it WAS on my original link, just not as bleedin' obvious as on yours!

Charlie

there site is not easy at the best of times mate

/passes a cloth for your specs

System

The plot thickens. I have used the Symantec tool to remove BargainBuddy from my pc. After running it three times, each time Symantec has told me that BargainBuddy is not on my pc. So i run Ad-Aware again, and it is still part of the tracking cookies highlighted for removal. I still havent been on any cashback sites. Any other ideas will be appreciated.

f1charlie

Is there actually anything happening on your PC that looks like this spyware may be there eg popups?

Charlie

System

f1charlie wrote:

Is there actually anything happening on your PC that looks like this spyware may be there eg popups?

Charlie

No everything seems to be fine, my pop up blocker is always turned off. I am having no strange looking pop ups appearing in strange places. I could turn on the pop up blocker but am loathe to do that in case the cashback sites are unable to track my transactions but then again, this BargainBuddy maybe hindering my cashback anyway. Any more thoughts before i kick it.:mad: