Spyware issues

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Spyware issues

mclayma

104 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 11953 20-Feb-2007 22:30

Okay People which do you believe is the best tool for spyware removal. I seem to have been infected by some nasties and some websites do no longer load properly but instead send me off to other "wierd" sites.
Any help would be appreciated

grant_k

3535 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 125

Trusted

Reply # 61385 20-Feb-2007 22:40

Many people say good things about Avast:

http://www.avast.com/

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
61303 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 12043

Administrator

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 61386 20-Feb-2007 22:43

For spyware problems try Windows Defender and/or Ad-Aware. Use Avast for antivirus protection.

If your system is heavily infected it may be worth rebuilding it...

Backblaze cloud backup (personal and business) | Geekzone broadband switch | Amazon (Geekzone aff) | MightyApe (Geekzone aff) |

My technology disclosure | Business Transformation | Enterprise Content Management | Customer Relationship Management

hellonearthisman

1818 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 52

Trusted

Reply # 61394 21-Feb-2007 04:16

I don't know which spy-ware killer to recommend, i find they are often lacking when dealing with new stuff but the ones listed above are all good.

Personally I like to do it manually, with the freeware program Process Explorer to ID and stop the program from running, it also lets me locate where on my drives the bugger is, so I can remove it. As well as googleing to find out which processes are what. It's kind of low level but very effective. Direct link to download Precess Explorer.

I also use Unlocker to remove files that report windows can't delete...

Hope you find a solution that works for you.

Tarq57

156 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 61457 21-Feb-2007 14:58

Depends what you've actually got, and what you've identified (if anything) already.
These are highly regarded (freeware or paid versions.) http://www.superantispyware.com/
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/avg-anti-spyware-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/
I've used them all. Serious infestations might need more specialist tools. The sky is the limit (almost) when going for staunch protection. Immunizers are quite a good idea (google SpywareBlaster, mvps hosts file) and if you have Spybot (who doesn't) make sure the bad download blocker is active. But you can get into virtual machines, sandboxing, HIPS applications, etc. For the average user the links above, plus maybe SpywareBlaster should be adequate.
Some will recommend Windows Defender to help prevent this sort of thing, I've found SpywareTerminator excellent.

euanandrews

1528 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Reply # 61459 21-Feb-2007 15:20

Windows Defender - Runs in the background to prevent spyware
AVG antivirus - Runs in the background to prevent virus's

Ad-aware - free version: runs when you start it, checks system for adware and removes them
Spybot - Search and destroy - free version: runs when you start it, checks system for spyware and removes them

All free, very popular and well supported

I used to run all that and a couple others, but over time have found all I need is Windows Defender and AVG...with Windows Firewall enabled, nothing has got through for as long as I can remember.

mclayma

104 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 61504 21-Feb-2007 22:35

Thanks team I'm now spyware free ( for now) I used a combination of tools to rid the nasties cheers