Windows XP gurus, please help (spyware b.s.)

[hanselthecaretaker]

I have a major problem with spyware on my comp, I called Dell and spoke to two different "experts". The first said that I have to reinstall XP because the spyware is embedded in the Operating system. Then I talked to a friend who said I could use Ad Aware and Registry Mechanic. I called Dell again and a different person said that would work. WTF.

I backed up all my important files and I can barely use my comp. as it's so slow, can't open more than one file, processes are running at 100% in windows task manager.
Will those above programs(ad aware and registry mechanic) get rid of ALL my problems in XP, or should I just reinstall to be completely sure? I want my pc bulletproof from now on,(I heard Spybot helps) and don't want any shit left over that will fuck it up again.

Please give your opinions.

Thank you.

 

[Dial_tone]

Most people are good with Spybot, although I use a program called The Cleaner because it's written by a friend of mine. What I would probably do is open the Task Manager and look on the Processes tab. You'll see all the exe's (progams) that are currently running. Look for things with unfamiliar/bizarre names like sfdfad.exe. Install Spybot and let it do it's thing. Also get an antivirus program. You need antivirus, anti-spyware and a firewall to really be safe with Windows.

 

[KA-BAR]

Tons of spyware remover programs. I lke spy sweeper but I am willing to bet you have some viruses thats this program will not get rid of. If they do get rid of them they virus will just install them back on your computer.

Download CWShredder, unzip it, start the program hit the fix button.

IN control Panel - add/ remove programs
uninstall:

SyncroAD
Web_Rebates
NavExcel
and whatever else you dont think should be there

Reboot

With all other windows closed have HijackThis del alot of items that do not belong. I will have to find a list if you are not familar with what to del.

After that reboot.

Make sure you can see all files. In Control Panel - Folder Options - View check ""Show all files and folders" and uncheck "hice protected operating system files"

Search for and delete these files:
msvxd.exe
msvxd16.dll
msvxd32.dll

Hell there are lots more but those are most common.

Delete these folders:

C:\program files\web_rebates
c:\program files\windows syncroad
c:\program files\navexcel search toolbar

Delete the content of these folders:
C:\document and settings\paul\local

Also Update your norton or whatever virus protection you use and run a full scan. I use norton and when its done it shut it all the way down and run AVG. Actually i think AVG might even be better. I just started using it and it has found a virus that norton did not.

 

[IKILLPEOPLE]

No.. Just kill yourself

 

[Mr. dB]

Uninstall and/or delete anything related to Visionmaster or WildTangent too.

 

[HdanSjr]

I had the same issue about a month ago, my computer was SLOW. The CPU usage was at 99 or 100% with no known processes running, and i was even in safe mode. the "tech" help that i called, i have a Sony Viao, informed me that i had a virus or a piece of spywear that was imbedded in my operating system, so i just backed up all my shit and reinstalled Xp. One thing i am trying to keep up on now is all of the windows updates, i think i got the problem by not staying updated with the patches. good luck with whatever you do.

 

[Carmen]

Tons of spyware remover programs. I lke spy sweeper but I am willing to bet you have some viruses thats this program will not get rid of. If they do get rid of them they virus will just install them back on your computer.

Download CWShredder, unzip it, start the program hit the fix button.

i love cwshredder.
my kids seem to click yes to anything that pops up on their computers and i have to go around removing things.

 

[AAP]

where to get cwshedder? it sounds awesome.

 

[Burning_Inside]

omfg i have never ever had to reinstall windows cause spyware was EMBEDDED in my OS, lol i think that's crap.

Seriously all you need is an antivirus, spybot, and ad aware SE personal. And I guess the cleaner because it's dt's friends program. i have never run into a spyware program i couldnt get rid of with those 3 programs.

get avg antivirus free edition, it works well.

 

[Carmen]

where to get cwshedder? it sounds awesome.

i don't remember now, do a google search.
i've had to edit my registry a number of times and delete some things that were in my (my kids) startup files.
the only thing i ever got on my own computer was from downloading a game cheat- it had a backdoor attached so that a hacker could take over anything they wanted- my passwords and stuff, as well as take control of my mouse, my files, my keystrokes, etc.
i had to install the hackers version of it in order to delete it, but i got rid of it eventually.

 

[eat big]

lavasoft ad aware works amazingly

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

Thanks for all the help. I think "download.com" has pretty much everything regarding programs for this stuff. I'm gonna try and fix this shit now.

 

[AAP]

Like Burning Inside said... I only rely on Virus Software (mcaffee), a couple of spyware killing programs (lavasoft, spybot), and NEVER clicking on OK to anything in a pop up box.

 

[Burning_Inside]

if youre using internet explorer to browse you REALLY NEED to set manual handling of cookies. REALLY, no joke.

Go to tools/internet options/privacy/advanced (in the top of a browser window)

Click the override auto cookie handling box, and select prompt for eveything.

Now here's the thing...When you go to any website, boxes will appear asking to set a cookie. If the cookie looks to be coming directly from the site, and you visit the site often, then click the always box, then click yes to allow the cookie. If it looks to be from anything not directly associated with the site, click the always box and click no. You will be ASTOUNDED as to how many ad spyware cookies you will see trying to install themselves on your PC like this.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

I tried running Adware and during the scan my computer just shut down. A little box came up that said shut down and it was like crashing and then it shut down and restarted. Adaware didn't continue after it restarted either. I didn't hit any buttons I just let it do it's thing and it didn't do it. I can't even open the help and support link in my start menu to get to dell's site. Sometimes all I can do is use the internet. This is fucked, I just wanna reinstall XP. I probably do have a virus that will just keep fucking with my pc as HdanSjr said.
I want to get this fixed soon, as I have quite a bit of shit left to do this weekend on my pc.
I'll let you all know what happens.

 

[string_bean00]

Since when did Spyware become such a problem? It wasn't like this a few years ago.

 

[KA-BAR]

http://www.downloads.subratam.org/hijackthis.zip
CWShredder version 1.59.1
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/downlo...cwshred1563.zip

 

[Carmen]

Since when did Spyware become such a problem? It wasn't like this a few years ago.

the manufacturers of spyware removal tools are often the ones creating the problem.
marketing people realized you can give a product away for free if you bundle it with adware (what people often refer to as spyware).
why do you think morpheus and kazaa are free? once you install them, you'll start getting popups.
one of which, will often be for popup removal software, which you have to pay for....

 

[KA-BAR]

Burning you must not look at porn much. lol .

Also I would never call tech support for dell or any other shit like that. I have heard the most Completely Ridiculous things that people have told me when they call for help. Most of them are kids who have a book in front of them and try to guess what your problem is. Everyone once in a blue moon you might get someone who knows something.

Also I do a low level format every 3-6 months put back all my stuff in a certain sequence.

 

[Burning_Inside]

Burning you must not look at porn much. lol .

Also I would never call tech support for dell or any other shit like that. I have heard the most Completely Ridiculous things that people have told me when they call for help. Most of them are kids who have a book in front of them and try to guess what your problem is. Everyone once in a blue moon you might get someone who knows something.

Also I do a low level format every 3-6 months put back all my stuff in a certain sequence.

No I catually DO look at porn a lot. And honestly i think I have had this instance of xp running on my system for over a year now and never ever had a BSOD or had to reformat.

 

[jb160]

lavasoft ad aware works amazingly

YUP!!! I swear by ad aware

 

[frorider6.2]

I have the same problem but don't have the time to read this thread right now, so I'm just bumping/subscribing.

 

[Gigantasor]

I have a major problem with spyware on my comp, I called Dell and spoke to two different "experts". The first said that I have to reinstall XP because the spyware is embedded in the Operating system. Then I talked to a friend who said I could use Ad Aware and Registry Mechanic. I called Dell again and a different person said that would work. WTF.

I backed up all my important files and I can barely use my comp. as it's so slow, can't open more than one file, processes are running at 100% in windows task manager.
Will those above programs(ad aware and registry mechanic) get rid of ALL my problems in XP, or should I just reinstall to be completely sure? I want my pc bulletproof from now on,(I heard Spybot helps) and don't want any shit left over that will fuck it up again.

Please give your opinions.

Thank you.

Hansel,

Your in luck in one way. Dell, if you bought the system new, comes with an easy as hell to use restore disk. All you will need to do is back up your files and pop that disk in. It will use a modified answer file specific to Dell to reinstall the system with minimum input from you.

You will then need to download all the system updates and service packs from microsoft and reinstall you virus protection software.

You could go through the process of using the various registry clearners and spyware cleaners to scan and remove the spyware and potential virus's from your system but the simple fact is that there will be some entrys in your registry and some spyware that will leave foot prints on your system.

If you are comfortable or if you have a friend that can do it I would recomend a complete reinstall. This will clear all the effected files from your system and make sure that you are not going to have recurring issues with this problem. All told you may spend about as much time with the reinstall as you do with the spyware clean.

I do this stuff nearly everyday and I'll tell you this is the easiest approach. Tools like registry mechanic are nice but they are still limited in what they can do.

Good luck.

If you have specific questions you can PM me and I'll do what I can to help out.

gig

 

[expletive]

If download.com gives you a choice, select secure download,
didn't have any problems till I downloaded an mp3 to wav program from them,
had to manually delete it, think I got it all.