HELP!!! Why Does Spyware Keep Getting on my Computer???

Discussion in 'other anti-malware software' started by PC-Guy, Sep 29, 2005.

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  1. PC-Guy

    PC-Guy Registered Member

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    Hey everyone,

    I'm going to FORMAT my hard drive to do a clean reinstall of all my programs and start with a clean system. As stated in my past post, the following is the programs I currently use:

    For Browser I use FIREFOX

    Norton Personal Firewall 2004 (up to date) (firewall is set to HIGH)

    Norton Anti Virus 2004 (up to date)

    Ad-Aware (the current version, up to date)

    Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) - (up to date)

    If anyone could give me some advise on what program(s) to install after I format my hard drive to prevent "Spyware" and or "Virus".

    I have the above programs and none detected the "spyware", both my Norton Anti Virus and Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) was on and didn't detected anything.

    Please all advise! Im going to format my computer in about two hours. :oops:
     
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2005
  2. toploader

    toploader Registered Member

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    not everyone will agree with this but switching from Internet Explorer (assuming you are using it) to Firefox or Opera should lessen the chances of malware getting in - it certainly seems to work for me.

    the main entry points for malware are email attachments, clicking on popups, instant messaging and downloading p2p files.
     
  3. WSFuser

    WSFuser Registered Member

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    u should be find but also consider adding a HOSTS file, spywareblaster, and spywareguard
     
  4. snowbound

    snowbound Retired Moderator

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  5. Vikorr

    Vikorr Registered Member

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    Hi PC GUY

    You've got Firefox which is good. Do you have any extensions for it, eg NoScript ? (I think that's what it's called)

    Downloading lots of programs from the internet increases your chances of infection, especially through crack sites, or p2p. Same with visiting dubious sites.

    Email can be a source of infection, though if you simply delete any from people/companies you don't know, it's a limited source of infection.

    Perhaps you may want to try using a sandbox, virtual pc, or disk imaging system if you keep getting infected...depending on your needs of course.
     
  6. toploader

    toploader Registered Member

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    i notice you are using firefox Pc Guy :D so in theory you should have few problems

    so where do you think spyware is coming from?

    are all the security patches applied to your system?
    do you p2p?
    do you use instant messaging?
    do you download games?
    do you visit warez sites?
    do you visit "artistic" sites (you know model will pose for artist - that kind of thing)

    i find it difficult to believe that you are getting malware from visiting Wilders? Erik Albert is the man to instill firm disciplined surfing habits. ;)

    if you want to pay money - then you could do a lot worse than NOD32 and/or Process Guard.
     
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2005
  7. PC-Guy

    PC-Guy Registered Member

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    Anyone else have advice?
     
  8. Mysterion

    Mysterion Guest

    What kind of spyware are you getting?
     
  9. se7engreen

    se7engreen Registered Member

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    Try scanning with the free version of Ewido (www.ewido.com). One of the best tools for cleaning spyware and other garbage.

    Also, try keeping a clean back up. Good luck.
     
  10. Mysterion

    Mysterion Guest

  11. PC-Guy

    PC-Guy Registered Member

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    My NORTON ANTI VIRUS was running in the background when the spyware came in my computer.

    Ever since my first post here, most recommended to have the anti virus running in the background, so ever since then it's been running at start-up.
     
  12. Mysterion

    Mysterion Guest

    Okay. It would help if you gave more information about what is getting on your computer - whether it really gets infected, or whether you just have tracking cookies, trojans in your browser's cache, etc. Which programs are picking up this malware?
     
  13. PC-Guy

    PC-Guy Registered Member

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    I don't remember the name of the Spyware, but it did say "java." something. :oops:
     
  14. PC-Guy

    PC-Guy Registered Member

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    I'm on dial-up, most of the time I leave my computer on, and set to my start page yahoo.com.

    My system is all up to date with XP patches. And my firewall, anti virus and ad aware & microsoft anti spyware beta, is all up to date.

    I'm the only user of my computer. no one else uses my system.

    I don't open files from cd's or disk.

    I'm not on a network.

    Most of the time, I'm thinking that the spyware is coming in from the pop ups or something.

    Firefox stops the pop ups. But somehow Spyware finds it's way in.
     
  15. PC-Guy

    PC-Guy Registered Member

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    Hey,

    Ok. Today I formated my hard drive. I'm about to re-install my programs and download the programs I need to prevent spyware, what programs do I really need to prevent spyware from "getting in".

    Can you guy's list the "free" programs I should install to prevent future spyware from getting in? :'(
     
  16. iceni60

    iceni60 ( ^o^)

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    i think you should get SafeXP, Sun Java and wwdc.exe

    and WMPScriptfix.exe, secureit, hardenit, bugoff.exe and Process guard free.

    and you could use Proxomitron, it's not nearly as difficult as people make it out to be - just download and install, and you can leave it at that.
     
  17. Mysterion

    Mysterion Guest

    More information on the spyware would really help :) Because with your browser, AV and MS Antispyware running resident, you shouldn't be having any problems.
     
  18. Mysterion

    Mysterion Guest

    Sorry, missed your post about java. I'd suggest surfing with Java disabled; it's hardly every required. I don't use Firefox, but I think you'll find the setting somewhere in Tools - Options.

    As someone else has said, installing Sun Java is a good idea. If you already have it installed, you can clear the cache, and check to see if you have the latest version.
     
  19. PC-Guy

    PC-Guy Registered Member

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    I have Sun Java and it's up to date. :rolleyes:
     
  20. ronjor

    ronjor Global Moderator

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    Go through the information here.
     
  21. Blackspear

    Blackspear Global Moderator

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    As has been pointed out earlier in this thread by Snowbound, if you take a look in the link provided (same link within my signature), you will see various setups that will prevent what you have had reoccurring.

    Cheers :D
     
  22. heyUthere

    heyUthere Registered Member

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    As sad as it is there are many things people would think of as spyware. Such as extra freatures to programs, browsers, etc like If you are using Firefox as you said. Is there a google tool bar for it? It has been said it is a way to put spyware on your system. http://www.google-watch.org/bigbro.html among other big brother uses. Just as long as you remember all the things you download and tried to get rid of any useless things (there seems to be too much of that) then you can scan with tools. GOOD LUCK
     
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