Spyware Removal Question - http://www.mmcafe.com/ Forums

[an error occurred while processing this directive] Spyware Removal Question - http://www.mmcafe.com/ Forums

Original message ([an error occurred while processing this directive] Views )[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Myst
15th Post

New Customer

"Spyware Removal Question" , posted Sun 21 Sep 12:51

Recently, thanks to Bell's unstable, insecure lines, I recieved a pop-up while away from the computer which installed spyware on my computer.

Does anyone know a free program that can be used to at least scan for spyware files?

Or does anyone know a way to use Norton Anti-Virus to find spyware? (It's been done before, but I can't seem to remember who did it.)

Replies:

Kaepora
228th Post

Frequent Customer

"Re:Spyware Removal Question" , posted Sun 21 Sep 12:54

I use Ad-aware.

Shindekudasai
6th Post

New Customer

"Re(1):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Sun 21 Sep 15:23

quote:
Recently, thanks to Bell's unstable, insecure lines, I recieved a pop-up while away from the computer which installed spyware on my computer.

Does anyone know a free program that can be used to at least scan for spyware files?

Or does anyone know a way to use Norton Anti-Virus to find spyware? (It's been done before, but I can't seem to remember who did it.)

I heartily reccomend SpyBot, which I believe can be downloaded from http://www.safer-networking.org . If that's not the site then try Googling it. This program works wonders, and has an "immunizer" program that blocks spyware automatically. I have it set to "alert" me whenever it finds something like that on the websites I browse, and you'd be pretty surprised at some of the sites you'd find them at.

Wither Blister Burn + Peel

VManOfMana
222th Post

Frequent Customer

"Re(1):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Sun 21 Sep 15:31

You can also try an alternative web browser that is immune to security exploits commonmly used to install spyware.

You can try Mozilla, Mozilla Firebird or Opera, which are all able to block pop-ups and have other nice features (no pop-ups + tabbed browsing owns me). I personally use Mozilla, since it is more mature than Firebird and I also use its e-mail client which makes me immune to e-mail viruses as well.

I mean, the best medicine is prevention, isn't it?

Jabel D. Morales - VMan of Mana.
http://vman.animecafe.net/

"Tameraeba makeyo!"

Myst
17th Post

New Customer

"Re(2):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Sun 21 Sep 17:56

Thanks, I'll try a few of those. The issue was cleared with when I threaten the site with a lawsuit.
They promptly sent me a uninstall for the spyware they put on my computer.
I'll look into those other things to prevent this from happening in the future.

Juke Joint Jezebel

2289th Post

Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master

"Re(3):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Sun 21 Sep 22:42

quote:
The issue was cleared with when I threaten the site with a lawsuit.
They promptly sent me a uninstall for the spyware they put on my computer.

sounds fun
do you mind copying and pasting the messages here?
you can edit out whatever needs to be edited if privacy's a problem

Luisinan

460th Post

Gold Customer

"Re(4):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Mon 22 Sep 00:27

quote:
The issue was cleared with when I threaten the site with a lawsuit.
They promptly sent me a uninstall for the spyware they put on my computer.
sounds fun
do you mind copying and pasting the messages here?
you can edit out whatever needs to be edited if privacy's a problem

Dang. It's amazing what companies try to get away with. Imagine if someone tried to "install" "spyware" on you, your body in the real world- do you know what the consequences of that would be? Probably pretty big. It would be like getting mugged or assaulted because both are involuntary acts committed against your person. It's not completely analagous but the consequences of each action can be pretty heinous.

What I also think about is the darn problem we have with modern computing today. This is not directly a rant against Microsoft, but I'm just thinking, Microsoft wants to have absolute control of the desktop operating system and how the user uses the internet, that it's just appalling how their software is so vulnerable. It's like, they want to be the mayor of the city cause the job pays well, but they're very careless when a natural disaster occurs or when crazy riots happen on the street. Anyway, end rant. I could go on for pages...

Bored? "160"

Genjuro

571th Post

New Red Carpet Member

"Re(1):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Mon 22 Sep 05:16

While we're on the subject,SurferBeware is a useful site as well..
extremely useful especially for those who use iMesh..

Daala

811th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member+

"Re(1):Re:Spyware Removal Question" , posted Mon 22 Sep 10:09

Best thing ever, and get Spybot S/D as well

quote:
I use Ad-aware.

Myst
22th Post

New Customer

"Re(4):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Mon 22 Sep 12:06:

First, to Luisinan:
I know your pain with going on about something like that. I wish I could sometimes, but I have to stop myself also.

Next, to Juke Joint Jezebel:

quote:

sounds fun
do you mind copying and pasting the messages here?
you can edit out whatever needs to be edited if privacy's a problem

No problem. Here's the log that I kept in the event that I actually did take the guy to court.

------------------------------------------

'Cool Search' Problem Tracking Sheet

20/09

What virus have you sent me and how do I get rid of it?

I think your mass-virus based-marketing team (if you have one) should know what I'm talking about.

If you have a fix, please do tell, otherwise I can easily find your information and you will be hearing from my lawyers.

This is not funny, since this is a business computer.
Also, this is not a joke.

Sincerly,
Justin M. Deonarine

(Reply)

Hello Justin,

Please use this software for restore standart home page, search page
and remove
all "spyware" software
http://approvedlinks.com/antispy/deinst.exe

(Personal Report: Did not solve problem, only made things worse by resetting their advertsing site to once every time the computer is turned on instead of once a day.)

21/09

This doesn't help. It only sets the homepage to "about:blank" which is an Internet Options function anyways.

I would like to know the spyware that your site has been using so that I can eliminate it personally.
Also, I would like to know what folder it has been installed into.

(Reply)

Hello Justin,

please use this software
http://super-spider.com/antispy/CWShredder.exe

(Personal Report: This fixed the problem to my knowledge. Log will be kept for a minimum of 90 days for the event of problems arising.)

--------------------------------------------

This concludes all problems that happened.
I can come off as a real jerk huh?

[this message was edited by Myst on Mon 22 Sep 12:09]

Undead Fred

887th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member++

"Re(5):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Mon 22 Sep 12:23

quote:

This concludes all problems that happened.
I can come off as a real jerk huh?

No, you didn't. You had the right to be pissed. I'm sick to death of spam and people f***ing up my computer by changing my browser's search engines and doing whatever else (browser settings are easy to fix, but it's still a pain). I'm convinced they even screwed up my Windows clock... there's been pop-ups that say stuff like "Your clock is probably wrong! Install our magic new un-wrongable clock!" (which I did NOT install, but my clock was always an hour behind or ahead for no good reason). I just wish those bastards would stop bugging us. It's good to hear you wrote those people and they helped fix the crap that they did to your computer.

So, no, you weren't being a jerk. They got what they deserved.

THAT'S DANNY. His hometown is New Orleans.

Kaepora
230th Post

Frequent Customer

"Re(5):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Mon 22 Sep 16:11

quote:
I can come off as a real jerk huh?

Pfft, I've met nice people that were bigger jerks than that.
Especially given that you were still polite when you contacted them the second time while they just directed you to another .exe to download.

Juke Joint Jezebel

2291th Post

Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master

"Re(6):Spyware Removal Question" , posted Mon 22 Sep 18:28

i'm surprised they replied to your complaint. and even so, they tried to be sneaky. thanks, that was interesting