adware away - anyone heard of it? does it work?

[sarment]

We have just gotten a new variation of the about:blank infection that hijacks your home page. Having had it once before I know it is very difficult to get rid of, requiring the identification and removal of a hidden file. I don't know the location of the hidden file in this version. My web searches have found no new information except.... adware away. Has anyone heard of it? Has anyone used it? (www.adwareaway.com)

(Before you ask, we have spybot, norton nav & nis, adaware, spyware blaster and trojan hunter. None catches coming in or can remove once its there.)

[TopperID]

AdwareAway is a lesser known AS, it is not considered a 'rogue' application as such but it is not widely recommended as a tried and tested program. It may not do you much harm but it is not one of the better apps.

The first thing you would need to do is have your problem correctly diagnosed, and since they no longer do HJT logs on this Forum you would be best advised to visit one of the other sites listed here:- http://a-sap.org/

[sarment]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I've been here before. I know my problem is about:blank. I already ran a hijack this and removed the about:blank portion from there. The problem with about:blank is the hidden file that needs to be removed. The variation I have now is different from the last one and therefore the hidden file is different.
I still don't understand why NONE of these "good" programs (norton, adaware, spybot, trojan hunter, spyblasterblaster) STILL can't stop or remove it.

[TopperID]

Modern spyware varieties, such as AboutBlank/Home Search Assistant and VX2/BetterInternet, are incapable of being removed by normal AVs and ASs because the process is too complex to be fully automated.

If you are confident you really do have AboutBlank, and you really want to try and remove it yourself (NOT recommended!), download AboutBuster from here:- http://www.subratam.org/?page=removal
Follow the instructions very precicely and use both HJT and CWShredder to pick up any debris left over by AboutBuster.

[sarment]

FYI-

I downloaded and ran Adware Away (at the suggestion of site moderator at castle cops, formerly computer cops http://castlecops.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=430702#430702) It was qwesome!

The last time I had "about blank" it took me days of research, some trial and error, and lots of manual manipulation to remove it.

This time I ran Adware Away and it was gone.

They even say that they will customize their program if you have a variant that the standard program doesn't remove. Currently the program removes 8 variants of "about blank"

I would choose this route over the others I tried earlier to remove this NASTY hijacker.

[TopperID]

Amazing! I can't understand why this prog isn't better known in that case, maybe it's still developing. Thanx for the info though.

[sarment]

Castle Cops asked me to provide some info on my experience using it. I did. Here it is for you guys too. Since there is a dearth of information on about:blank on the web, maybe this will help someone else.

Adware Away has 3 basic sections:

1- Specialized Remover. Here you have the option of scanning for and or removing specifict threats. You scan. You remove. That's all. It's easy. (This is what I did.)

2- Global Scan & Fix. This does a scan of your computer, lists problems and gives you the option of fixing them. (I did this part. Easy.) It also provides a LOT of information on your system that someone may find useful. Also if the remover doesn't work or your infection is not on their list, you scan, save your scan, and email it to the adware away folk. They then get back to you with a fix. There is an about blank variant that requires this. (This is what their website and help file says. I didn't need to do this.)

3- Customized Cleaner. This is what they give you if their specialized removers don't work after you send them a scan. (This is what their website and help file says. I didn't need to do this.)

Easy to use. It worked. I would go this route again first. (I think the paid version is required for the customization.)

Here is their website: http://www.adwareaway.com/

[Blackspear]

-{ Quote: "I still don't understand why NONE of these "good" programs (norton, adaware, spybot, trojan hunter, spyblasterblaster) STILL can't stop or remove it." }-Spyware Guard (FREE) – Real time scanner for Browser Hijack prevention http://www.javacoolsoftware.com Should stop this at the door, as well you could look at your "Hosts" file to block bad websites: Hosts File (FREE) – Website Filter blocks garbage websites http://accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html

You could also look at Proxomitron (FREE) – Proxy. This allows a program (local or remote) to sit between your web browser and the Internet at large, to monitor everything and change it if you want to http://www.sankey.ws/proxomitron.html

Add to this Kye-U's filters (FREE) – Rule Sets for Proxomitron giving greater protection against exploits.
http://www.kye-u.com/proxo/forums/i...topic=131&st=0#

Hope this helps...

Cheers ;D

[Prushka]

1 of the Mods at SysOpt forums has been recommending Adawareaway
Time for me to try it as well as some of the others mentioned...TY

So nice when they work!