adware and internet junk?!?!

[BrnAgainRoc]

is anyone else having HUGE problems with this crap? Ive spent the last several hours trying to rid my rocket command center (computer hehe) of over 355 adware progs and what not. This is getting unreal. They need to create a law about adware bullcrap just like they did spam mail. This is completely crazy. I dont download anything of any major risk to this computer its all from major sites like MS or downloads.com. But literally this is driving me plum mad man!!

 

[BlueNinja]

Law? Even if there was a law passed, people would still do it. I still get viagra/mortgage/prescription ads by the truckload, and my spam filter won't do anything as they have not taken to scrambling the messages or putting stuff in like "rubella eradicated from US" or something like that. I'm gonna change my email address one of these days.

 

[rabidsheeep]

They already have tried passing a law against it, but its still pending...

i just use mozilla www.getfirefox.com

barely any sites use popups or get spyware from it, use spybot, use ad aware, dont go to stupid sites

 

[rbeckey]

Install Spyware Blaster:
https://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

I keep it updated and haven't gotten a single spyware program installed since I started using it. It will not remove old ones, but no new ones will get in.

Use Adaware:
https://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/#free

or

Spybot Search and Destroy:
https://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

to remove what is already there. There is a manual removal tool also:
https://www.download.com/Bazooka-Adware-and-Spyware-Scanner/3000-8022_4-10247782.html

I regularly check my system with all three and never get anything but a few cookies, using WinXP and IE 6. It may be fun to play with the other browsers, but the web is designed for IE functionality. With minimal precautions IE is safer than houses.

 

[DJDeadParrot]

rbeckey's software recommendations are right on; Adaware, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster in addition to Norton AVS. Before I recently re-formatted my system, I had pretty good luck with Adaware, Spybot, Zone Alarm firewall, System Mechanic Pro, Norton AVS, and Firefox browser.

Avoiding malware now means keeping all programs up-to-date, including anti-virus programs, your operating system, etc. Sadly, surfing the web isn't what it used to be.

As for IE, its only as secure as its weakest link. And because its the dominant browser in terms of market share, it gets targetted the most by malware coders. And I think most Mac users might disagree with your assertion that the Web was designed for IE functionality. Certain web coding languages may be optimized for IE.

 

[LaneKG]

Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is free and it works for me!


https://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Greg

 

[cydermaster]

To echo Rabid, GET FIREFOX!!!

Install and run the spy/mal-ware busters, then only use FireFox unless you need to use IE. Unfortunatly some sites are IE only online banks and stores are good examples of where you may have problems, but the situation is getting better as the uptake of FireFox increases.

Run the ad-busters regularly (once a week, maybe), just to flush out the system, but you should find alot the crap will be blocked by FireFox.

Its also worth looking into ditching Outlook Express (if you use it), in favour of a less vunrable alternative, such as Thunderbird; which comes with a built in spam filter, contains less critical security vunrabilities, has a cool name, and is free (as in beer and speach - like FireFox).

Possibly the best thing that can be done (at present) to avoid all this junk is to run another OS, such as Ubuntu Linux, but thats another debate

<a href="https://www.spreadfirefox.com/?q=affiliates&amp;id=0&amp;t=78"><img border="0" alt="Get Firefox!" title="Get Firefox!" src="https://sfx-images.mozilla.org/affiliates/Buttons/120x60/get.gif"/></a>

 

[KermieD]

PC Magazine recently did a review of all the spyware blocking/removal tools out there. The one product that stood well above the rest was Webroot's Spy Sweeper. It was the only program that reliably recognized and prevented the installation of 2 of the latest new keyloggers.

https://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper-indepth?rc=266&ac=653

It's always a good idea to have at least 2 solutions on your system. Spyware blocking and removal right now is more of an art than a science and there is no single perfect solution.

 

[BrnAgainRoc]

Originally posted by LaneKG
Microsoft® Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) is free and it works for me!


https://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Greg

but that prog made by windows is only for NT/2000/XP.

 

[Missileman]

Since I installed Nortons internet security I have not gotten any new attacks but there are still 17 Spyware/adware programs that I have to manually remove (some involve editing the sytem registry) Nortons does block these 17 from accessing the internet but it can't stop them from loading into ram and it is slowing my system down. HEake seems to be the most aggressive.

 

[BrnAgainRoc]

welp iam laying it to them now. Ive installed a Professional version of BlackICE Firewall, Adware SpyWare Doctor, Avast Antivirus all on top of my comp now,lol.

 

[BrnAgainRoc]

welp iam laying it to them now. Ive installed a Professional version of BlackICE Firewall, Adware SpyWare Doctor, Avast Antivirus all on top of my comp now,lol.

 

[WiK]

Originally posted by cydermaster
Unfortunatly some sites are IE only online banks and stores are good examples of where you may have problems, but the situation is getting better as the uptake of FireFox increases.

On one of my pcs, the online bank secure website bit (Northern Rock or something) *only* works on FireFox. I'm hoping this'll get my Dad using it all the time, will get rid of a alot of the crap on this pc.

Phil