Tips for Removing Spyware

[Steve Carlton]

A guy who works in my office building as a computer tech wrote this article about removing spyware. I'm no expert by any means, but from what I've seen, Tony seems to know his stuff and I've seen him solve problems that stump other computer gurus. I know there's some very savvy members on this board on tech issues, so I'm curious what you think of this recipe:

http://www.tleone.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=59


PS- I found his article on craigslist interesting (and disappointing).

[Sonic dB]

Here is what I found that works 100% of the time:

Windows XP has a "roll back" feature called "System Restore" which will completely restore the OS to how it was on a previous date.

You will lose no files that you have saved since then, but it only rolls back the OS.

So...what you will do is Restore the OS to a day or two earlier which will eliminate the installation of the spyware. System Restore is found under the start menu, accessories tab.

You will need to know the date that the spyware came in to your system, or just choose the earliest date possible under system restore...

Once your system is restored, run the MS Spyware program and get rid of all files of spyware.

BTW...loved your pitching with the Phillys...

[stomachmonkey]

Yes there is free stuff out there and no you do not need to spend money on antispyware utilities.

I actually use the free stuff but then again my PC rarely goes near the net. I use it to test crossplatform content so I'm usually only hitting my own server.

But, considering that they are free let me aks you, "how many people do you think they have dedicated to identifying new threats?"

If your PC's performance is being compromised by adware/spyware the $30 that a commercial product will cost you is actually worth it.

There are always specials and rebates available. If you shop it right you can get the stuff practically free. They'd rathrer give it to you up front for free and pick up revenue on the yearly renewal. They get a 70% conversion rate that way.

The best way that i have found is to just use my Mac.

Scott

[StevoRocket]

Try these sites for free malware protection.....

www.grisoft.com for their Free AVG virus protection

www.corestreet.com/spoofstick - didplays the real address of the web site you are looking at so you can spot a fraudulent site.

www.ewido.net/en/features - for a free spyware remover

www.microsoft.com - search for their free antispyware beta program

www.lavasoftusa.com for Ad-Aware syware removal

Have a look at A-squared for another free virus checker

Go to this site to switch off open doors to your machine left by windows! http://grc.com/dcom/

and last but not least...
www.misec.net/trojanhunter to get rid of trojans

THe last one is very important - a friend with a laptop on Broadband picked up a Sasser trojan despite Windows firewall and Norton anti virus. "sasser.exe object not found _ok?" click ok and get a reboot to the same message. Not funny.

Also a friend advised me to get a wireless router with built in firewall as extra protection. Worth every penny.

The trick is to have multiple checking programs and firewalls - it makes it harder for the a**holes and you might just stay clean.

So far so good.

Oh - and auto update the firewall, Windows and Virus checkers every day - most can be set to do this automatically.

If you have Broadband/DSL disconnect it when its not in use! Dont allow your machine to be used as a trojan or virus distribution centre!

Its a cruel world out there and getting more viscious every day.

[StevoRocket]

By the way I thought your friends site was very helpfull.

The trouble with all of this though is -- its all so complex - even to me and I wrote my first program code in 1967 - so how on earth is the average man in the street with a familly pc and perhaps a small business going to understand all this?

We need Microsoft and the rest of the internet providing companies to set standards - starting with ease of fix.

You go to their joint web site (automatically) and get the crap stopped dead. No multiple firewalls, multiple virus checkers, trojan finders - websites with special virus removal tools.

Just one site provided by the industry.

Fine the companies that support spammers and disconnect them from the web. Get tough for goodness sake.

Its terrorism - remember I said that - watch out now - how would YOU wreck western society?