computer infected with spyware??

[michaelp]

Okay, so this morning, our computer started to act weird. There were a bunch of pop-ups saying things like "There has been an internet hacker attempt. They attempted to put spyware and malware on your computer." or "Your computer is infected with spyware. Click okay to go to xpantivirus.com to remove it." etc etc. Thing similar to that.

Even when you close the windows, they keep coming up. I am running a McAfee virus scan, but I'm not sure if that is working...

Does anyone know how to get rid of this?? Are there any programs that can be installed to help get rid of it??

HELP!

[AndyMosh]

Yea definite. Start using Firefox (if you aren't already) and get AVG, which in my opinion is better than McAffee.

[%chrono trigger%]

does it tell you to go to a site that hasa download on it that says it by windows or whatever if so check this out: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic85376.html
as my pc had something similiar to what you say you have

[michaelp]

Okay, I'm already using Firefox 2.0.0.1.1.

And yeah, I think I was sent to a site similar to that. xpantivirus.com was one of them I think.
But do you guys know any software that can get rid of it? (Free )

edit: Oh, that link is a spyware remover. :P Will try it.
edit: No it isn't, it is spyware... So does you guys know how to get rid of it?
But that security alert that is shows in that link looks similar to it...

[AndyMosh]

AVG free?

[RoBz]

McAfee sucks so bad, get rid of it ASAP and get AVG. But before that get Spybot Search & Destroy it's very useful and if that doesn't work get Ad-Aware it's also very good. Bleepingcomputer.com is very informative, search there aswell.

[michaelp]

Okay, will do those things. I'm looking at that sticky in this forum for spyware/adware/root kits, etc. Downloading Spybot search and destroy now.
Will also install NoScript for Firefox.

[tave]

Originally Posted by michaelp

Okay, will do those things. I'm looking at that sticky in this forum for spyware/adware/root kits, etc. Downloading Spybot search and destroy now.
Will also install NoScript for Firefox.

yup..spybot search adn destroy, also try ad-aware free and download NoScript as well as Adblock Plus for firefox

[Adiuvo]

Try NOD32 as well along with Kaspersky. They're the best antivirus programs IMO.

lol at FAQ page. They should at least try to make it seem real.

[michaelp]

FAQ page is hilarious!

Q: When scanning is finished, I try to remove all threats but it dont let me
A: You should buy XP antivirus to activate all removal features.

Still running Spybot search and destroy, but I'm pretty sure it's found the spyware that's screwing with my computer.

[Nero]

Norton 360 hasn't let me down so far

[-Alex-]

Norton is bloatware.

[Nero]

Lol it works really well on my comp.

[eldiablov]

Originally Posted by Nero

Lol it works really well on my comp.

If you have more than a gig of ram you THINK it works well.

[Seven_]

Norton < Poopeh

[Nero]

Why whats the problem with it?

[michaelp]

Just as I finished the scan in Spybot, it was "Not Responding" so I had to restart my computer and do the scan over again!

[BinoPanda]

i like avast but nobody else does...
download process explorer have it replace task manager re-run the scan and right click the process and give it high priority.

[michaelp]

I got it. The spyware is off now. I hope anyways.

[-Alex-]

Originally Posted by Nero

Why whats the problem with it?

It uses unnecessary resources on your comp slowing it down a fair bit (Bloatware), compared to some of the free alternatives out there which do the same, and probably a better job.

[-chw42-]

I had that too...so annoying. It's dead now though.

[Judas]

I get this sometimes. When it happens, I follow these steps.

1. Backup Important Files
2. Format Hard Drive
3. Re-Install XP

It never fails.

[-chw42-]

Originally Posted by Judas

I get this sometimes. When it happens, I follow these steps.

1. Backup Important Files
2. Format Hard Drive
3. Re-Install XP

It never fails.

It's also an extremely long process. Unless you have a slow ass PC, I wouldn't reformat.

[Seven_]

Quick format? :>

[RoBz]

Originally Posted by Judas

I get this sometimes. When it happens, I follow these steps.

1. Backup Important Files
2. Format Hard Drive
3. Re-Install XP

It never fails.

Yep, I reinstall once every 2 months, just to clean everything up and get organized.

So michaelp, Spybot catch it for you? Still noticing anything weird? You should also grab CCleaner, it's really handy, clears out all the crap (that's what the C stands for ) from you computer.

[michaelp]

Yup, it killed the Spyware. Still had to remove a start-up service through msconfig, but everything is good now.
Just about 2 hours ago, I posted CCleaner in the free software list thread. :P
It's a great application.
Thanks for everyone's help!

[BinoPanda]

glad it's fixed.

[Eranmane]

Q: How can I get rid of XP antivirus? I do not want your program.
A: Read HELP more carefully. You can download and run XP antivirus uninstallation tool from <link to exe file>

EPIC.

Anyway, McAffee and Norton in my opinion are bloatware. Kaspersky is the best but it's pretty slow, NOD32 is my favourite.

And once I get my external HDD I'm going to run reformats every 2 months. they help. a lot.

[RoBz]

Originally Posted by Eranmane

EPIC.

Anyway, McAffee and Norton in my opinion are bloatware. Kaspersky is the best but it's pretty slow, NOD32 is my favourite.

And once I get my external HDD I'm going to run reformats every 2 months. they help. a lot.

Quoted for multiple truths.

[Judas]

Actually, instead of re-formats, I now do this. I have a 120GB hard drive partitioned into 4 parts. I install XP on the first one. (Drive C). Then, in about 3 months, I install XP on drive D and starting using that. Then I go onto drive E and F. After F, I format C and install XP on that. This makes it so you don't have to back up your data as often, as the data is still on the drive, just in a different partition.