Ugh! Anyone know how to get rid of spyware for free?

[RaRa]

We're infected! I feel so dirty!

[okoboji]

1. yes

Here is a FREE great program that I just recently stumbled upon.

http://www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php

[ET Awful]

2. First. . .

Go to http://www.lavasoft.de and download ad-aware.

The go to http://security.kolla.de and download Spybot Search and Destroy

Install and run both of these programs. After they've been run once and gotten rid of as much as they can, run the update utility in each of them, download the latest updates, then run them again.

If you still have problems after that, you probably have a more intense spyware infestation like a coolwebbrowser issue which actually alters various windows .dll files and such. To get rid of that, go to:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html and download cwshredder. Then follow the various instructions on that site. There is quite a bit of good, detailed information there.

All of these programs are free and offer free regular updates. I work in IT, and use them all at least a few times a week on various peoples computers.

[bklyncowgirl]

3. Great post

Came on it by accident. I'm director of a public library and even with the hard drive locks we use to keep the public from screwing up our computers, sometimes we have problems when something infects the registry. As for my home computer, forget it!

I run adaware and it's good as long as you remember to do the updates. I'll have to try some of these other suggestions as well.

[LTR]

4. Here's another suggestion

Create a HOSTS file.

http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/what_is_hosts.html

What is the HOSTS file?

The short answer is that the Hosts file is like an address book. When you type an address like www.yahoo.com into your browser, the Hosts file is consulted to see if you have the IP address, or "telephone number," for that site. If you do, then your computer will "call it" and the site will open. If not, your computer will ask your ISP's (internet service provider) computer for the phone number before it can "call" that site. Most of the time, you do not have addresses in your "address book," because you have not put any there. Therefore, most of the time your computer asks for the IP address from your ISP to find sites.

If you put ad server names into your Hosts file with your own computer's IP address, your computer will never be able to contact the ad server. It will try to, but it will be simply calling itself and get a "busy signal" of sorts. Your computer will then give up calling the ad server and no ads will be loaded, nor will any tracking take place. Your choices for blocking sites are not just limited to blocking ad servers. You may block sites that serve advertisements, sites that serve objectionable content, or any other site that you choose to block.

Go here to find out how:

http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/how_to_use_hosts.html


I use it, and it is very effective at blocking malicious sites, browser hijackers and spyware. Not to mention, it also blocks many ad banner and pop-up ad servers.

Browser hijackers often alter the HOSTS file when doing their malicious work. Turn the tables.

I would also recommend making an alternate browser your default instead of Internet Explorer. IE is very insecure, and is prone to attacks. Use Netscape, Avant Browser or Mozilla Firefox instead.

[ET Awful]

9. This only works to a degree. . .

some spyware actually creates a new hosts file and deletes the old one.

[LTR]

11. True, but...

...If you keep your HOSTS file current, you likely won't access the malicious site.

You can also mark it as "Read Only".

[ET Awful]

12. I've actually seen active-x scripts . . .

that can modify the file properties and allow it to be overwritten too. They're doing some NASTY stuff these days :).

[LTR]

22. That's true

Keep a copy of the HOSTS file in "My Documents" for backup.

And have CWShredder on hand just in case.

Make proper adjustments in "Internet Options" for added security.

And keep a good anti-virus/firewall program handy. Norton has good protection against scripting.

And stay away from porn sites.

[ET Awful]

24. Hell, it's not even just porn sites anymore . . .

It's joke sites (i.e. joke of the day sites, etc.), sites for song lyrics, sites for software patch downloads, sites for shareware downloads, etc.

The worst ones are the ones that pretend to be spyware removal sites that install spyware that advertises spyware removal software (which installs more spyware).

[LTR]

26. I removed something like this from somebody's computer the other day

He had all kinds of insane spyware. Pop-ups like you wouldn't believe. Took forever to start up. Could barely go online.

HOSTS file was intact, though, and I loaded up my customized one.

One program was called "Virtual Spyware Defender", or something like that. It kept popping up a message that said the system was infected. I clicked "yes" on the prompt for more information, just to see what it was. And for a cool $29.99, I could purchase their product and get rid of the junk.

I told 'em to kiss off and got rid of it all by running AdAware, a free program.

I'm sure these cyberterrorists absolutely loathe AdAware and Spybot. I've heard of one malicious program that even tries to uninstall them.

Just plain evil what these scumbags do to people's systems. Much worse than spam, IMO.

I installed "Avant Browser" (he's a computer novice, and his kids use it mostly, so I needed something IE compatible) and removed the IE shortcut from the desktop. Also put in the custom HOSTS file. I'm telling you, the HOSTS file hack works very well. It blocks the known malicious sites from ever loading in your browser.

I created my own HOSTS file, compiling lists from other sources into an EXCEL database, and copying it to a .txt file. Here's a link to it:

http://pvsmackboard.250free.com/hosts.htm

Other sources:

http://www.unixhub.com/block.html
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
http://pgl.yoyo.org/adservers/links.php#2

[okieinpain]

20. learn something new here every day. I know a lot of computer

nuts, but I've never heard of using this one before. I'm going to check it out. thanks.

[cheezus]

15. you may also want to look into norton ghost or a similar product

it lets you create a hard disk image set up the way you want it burned to a cd as a bootable installer. So when a computer gets nutty or the patrons download too much porn or whatever you just reboot with the ghost disc in and it resets the machine back to your predefined system.

[the Kelly Gang]

8. ( nice kitty !)

[ET Awful]

13. Hehehe thanks :)

[RaRa]

5. Thanks alot! eom

[JI7]

6. i wish there would be a law against this kind of crap

i really hate when this happens.

[Nlighten1]

7. Format c:

Sometimes is the only way to completely get rid of those damned things.

[Justpat]

10. Switch to Earthlink.

It has spyware, spam blocker and a great virus protection as part
of their software. The spyware works great.

[cheezus]

16. I guess that's okay if you like paying nearly $25/mo for dialup

As there are free and easy to use spyware removal/scanning tools available, I'd recommend a local discout ISP. Give the neighboorhood jr. high geek the extra $10 to fix everything up for you

[peacebuzzard]

14. I installed "Spy Sweeper" free. (Webroot) Other opinions?

cuz I am no expert.:think: :think: I just saw okoboji's post w/link. see post # 1. I guess I am ok then, it really seemed to get rid of a lot of problems.

[No2W2004]

17. This worked for me.

I used IE for years and years. About a month ago, I was inundated by spyware. I use ad-aware 6.0, and that gets rid of the spyware until the next time you start up IE. I was running ad-aware 5 or 6 times a day! So, I took the advice of a lot of people on this board and downloaded the Mozilla browser. I haven't had to run Ad-aware since. NO pop-ups ever!

Get Mozilla or Firefox at www.mozilla.com

[Deja Q]

18. Two words:

Download Linux


:D

[Don_G]

19. Try Mozilla's Firefox

No pop-ups, little if any spyware and infinitely customizable.

Keep the spyware cleaners though and run them on a regular schedule. Also, ZoneAlarm might help as it tracks outgoing data from your computer to the internet and lets you know immediately.

[jmowreader]

21. format c: usually works

Cleans it right out. You do have your data backed up, right?

[King_Crimson]

23. Spyware Blaster...

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com This tool is free and prevents spyware from installing itself!

[Berserker]

25. Great posts!

There are many great free programs that help you get rid of Scumware. I seen someone state that reformatting is the way to go but I strongly disagree. As stated above Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D are both great programs and they are free but you need to install both, One will find things the other program won't and vise versa. As for installing Norton I would say that program itself is scumware. It takes over your computer and causes more problems than it helps and for all that fun you have to pay for it once a year! Here is a great firewall that is also free. Sygate http://www.sygate.com/ There are other free Anti-Virus programs that work great like AVG http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
Also as stated above using a browser like Mozilla Firefox is a good alternative to msn.

[LTR]

27. Norton isn't that bad

It can be a pain in the ass to configure, but once you get it right, it works very well. I've had nothing but good luck with it.

Only thing is it is very difficult to uninstall.

But I switched over from Zone Alarm, which is a good example of the old saying "You get what you pay for". Not a very good program, IMO.