spyware & Malware

[jwallbank]

I just recently made the mistake of downloading something from the internet and not looking at the warnings from McAfee stating that there could be spyware attached. It took me 3 days to remove the downloaded software and find the Individual file or software that was corrupting my computer. The problem indications were that IE was constantly shutting down on me, while in add-on operation mode. I downloaded CCleaner and Malwarebytes which are both free by the way. It seemed to clean up my problem and also speed up my PC. I guess the morale to the story is be careful downloading and make sure you have a up to date Virus/spyware/malware package and utilize it to its fullest!!!!

[cindyhair]

Yep, I've learned my lesson about downloading programs like that which I know nothing about. I had my computer in the shop for 2 weeks after downloading Internet Security 2010 almost a year ago. Malwarebytes couldn't totally get rid of it because it kept regenerating. Then last week I downloaded something else that was supposed to speed up my computer. Malwarebytes finally got rid of it after several tries. I will NEVER EVER download anything I'm not familiar with again.   

[thetotalfool]

These days, I just reinstall a clean copy of Windows and start over.  Just one scan takes more time than backing up my files and the whole process.

[constance312003]

I use malware too.  I love it.  It has cleaned up my computer on several occasions.  My tech person at work told me about it.

[SCarter984]

These days, I just reinstall a clean copy of Windows and start over.  Just one scan takes more time than backing up my files and the whole process.

How can you reinstall a clean copy and make sure all the drivers load back on?  I did this once, years ago, and lost all my drivers.  I had to go online and find then reinstall them.  It was not easy.  Of course back then I was not as tech savvy (LOL) as I am now.  I want to do this on my old work horse (a Dell and a different computer) because its running slow and my roommate downloaded stuff which I believe to be spyware or something.  I just want to clean everything and start over.  Maybe it will speed up the computer.  One thing I have noticed is that this Dell is  a 286.  Does this mean it will run slow anyway?  I would appreciate some feed back.

[frozenimage]

The same happened to me whenever i do download offers or download stuff in general.  I've been using avg and spyware doctor since then.

[ninajay]

That happened to me about a year ago. I had to re-install windows...I thought I was going to lose everything. Thank goodness I had back up. I'm very careful about downloading unfamiliar anything now

[lvstephanie]

I just got the "HDD Rescue" trojan on Sat and spent 3 hours trying to clean it (actually it took Malwarebytes that long to run the scan). And I have an up-to-date AV (Symantec's AV) on my system, so don't solely rely on your AV to catch everything, esp. trojans. For some of the more tech savvy, you may consider making a copy of your hard-drive. There is an open-source program Clonezilla that you can use to make a backup image of your hard-drive. Also some PC manufacturers are adding Rescue partitions onto their systems (for example Lenovo laptops are being made with these) that include tools for making a rescue CD and / or creating a back-up of your system.

[thetotalfool]

These days, I just reinstall a clean copy of Windows and start over.  Just one scan takes more time than backing up my files and the whole process.

How can you reinstall a clean copy and make sure all the drivers load back on?  I did this once, years ago, and lost all my drivers.  I had to go online and find then reinstall them.  It was not easy.  Of course back then I was not as tech savvy (LOL) as I am now.  I want to do this on my old work horse (a Dell and a different computer) because its running slow and my roommate downloaded stuff which I believe to be spyware or something.  I just want to clean everything and start over.  Maybe it will speed up the computer.  One thing I have noticed is that this Dell is  a 286.  Does this mean it will run slow anyway?  I would appreciate some feed back.

I guess I'm just lucky that I still have most of my installation discs around.  I gave up fighting when my moms computer got something that over 10 different scans couldn't completely clean.

[ULuvCeCe]

Malwarebytes is a wonderful tool, if you ever have issues not being able to get it to run due to the virus attacking so much of your pc go into safe mode.  A full scan of malwarebytes in safemode usually solves everything. I would also run your anti-virus in safe mode thereafter just for measure.

Also if the AV doesn't say Norton, McAfee, Avast, AVG, Spyware Doctor, it's usually not an AV. Do your research before selecting which AV is best for you!

[bschumacher]

Whatever you do, DON'T download any toolbars. Inbox Dollars and Mypoints toolbars wreaked havoc with my ability to do a normal search on IE. After deleting the toolbars, my computer genius husband who writes software for a living had to spend hours to get my computer back up to speed.

[constance312003]

thanks for all the good information.  I am still learning all this computer stuff.

[texaswhiterose]

I have malwarebytes and avg (free) and they keep my computer pretty clean and safe.

[RMWorld]

Yeah, I'm sure we've all had our hands full of spyware before. Dragging down your computer like a deadly cold.... slower.... slower... you know... until you either have the patience to hunt it down in major slow motion because your processor won't move.... or as I've seen on other posts.... I had simply reinstalled Windows and wa!la! all the probs were gone. The reinstall took a few hours but better than wasting a few hours a day trying to get anything done... or hunting for the root of that awful malware file. Or the fake virus protection scams that won't disappear, ... and somehow prevent you from doing any other action than buying their software to fix your problem... ha. Someones getting rich....

I have had great success with the FREE download of AVG. Very respected and trustworthy program. Install takes up a little space on the hard drive and initial updates to new virus definitions folders takes a little while but always detects threats and isolates any potentially dangerous files. I highly recommend installing AVG for max protection from virus threats, pass word and identity theives, .... having AVG truly provides a sense of safety while doing anything online.

[cindyhair]

Whatever you do, DON'T download any toolbars. Inbox Dollars and Mypoints toolbars wreaked havoc with my ability to do a normal search on IE. After deleting the toolbars, my computer genius husband who writes software for a living had to spend hours to get my computer back up to speed.

I haven't had any problems with toolbars but maybe it's because I use firefox instead of IE. I don't ever use IE anymore unless it's required for a particular offer or survey. Firefox is faster & easier to use.