Spyware
Seek and Destroy
Hijack This!
Ad-aware

Anti-virus
AVG anti virus - think it's the best free av program

There are quite a few other on net, but hopefully these will help you as well. All are free.

Same problem happened to me and I downloaded Search & Destory with AVG. Both work great. You should use them.

Loyla, if you have Windows Xp or Windows 2000, the best spyware removal program is Microsoft Antispyware. They just released it, but it beats all the others hands down.

Download it here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... laylang=en

Yes, these are one of the best ones! A MUST is Seek and Destroy (Spybot).

Moreover, it would be good to have a firewall like Zonealarm or Kasperky (Kaspersky can be a anti-virus program or a Firewall)

Sammy, I think you transposed Zonealarm and Kaspersky ;-)

Ooopsie, LOL! :wink:

Did your computer come with a restore CD?

If all else fails, just back up all your important files and then completely restore you PC to factory new condition. It's good to do every once in awhile anyways.

Or, if you have XP, you can restore your computer to certain dates without losing any of your files, or without needing a CD.

If none of that works, buy a hammer.

Nebs, what do I do with this after I scan the comp? It says it put the viruses (I had 20!!!!) into the vault. Do I just leave it there?

You can leave them there, as they won't affect your system. If the files aren't important to you (they most likely aren't), you can go ahead and deletd them permanently.

Thanks Krem. Btw, does that new Microsoft software you linked to take care of viruses as well?

No, just the spyware and hijackers. Of course you copuld make the case that those are viruses as well, but that's a different issue

Loyal, you need to restart your computer in Safe Mode, and then run Ad-Aware, etc.

To do that, shut down your computer, then power it back on. As it's powering up start hitting the F8 button. A menu will come up asking you to select which mode to start in. Select Safe Mode. None of the hijacker programs will load, and that will allow Ad-Aware to clean up your computer, without the possibility that the bugs will come back.

Also, do give Microsoft Anti-=spyware a chance. I found it to be much better than the competition.

Ok, I downloaded the Microsoft one. Sheesh, I have like 5 or 6 anti-spyware/virus programs on my comp.

I'll get the MS one when it's finished but I don't want to mess with a beta program.

well... i can understand why some people don't want to download the microsoft one .... notice the verification thing : )

Hehe, I know. But in truth, it lets you download it without verification.

Of course, the real solution is to not pirate the software. You're not a pirate, are you baba?

What's so bad about that?

I heard one of the first thing it check is if you use IE, if it expects me to use then I'll pass.

That's interesting, conmsidering I downloaded it using Firefox

I got rid of it. It didn't remove the spyware that keeps hijacking my IE. I don't use IE anymore, but it pisses me off that it's still there. Even after I've used all that softwae listed above (and others), it's still there.

You have to do it in Safe Mode!

Otherwise, the software knows that you tried to get rid of it, and will simply reinstall itself.

But I've tried to do it upon loading (well, before it loads).

Ok, let me give it yet another try.

Safe mode is the only safe (pardon the pun) bet.

I am sure you can download it using firefox, but we were actualyl discussing it (albiet briefly) in my OS class, one of the students in class had used it before (I don't think it was this release, I think it was an early not released to the public version), and the one used started off by checking if IE was your default browser.

I am always suspect of Microsoft's security stuff, its very up and down. I'll weight and see what the reception on this is before I go installing it. I am quite happy with the products I use now.

Why not just buy a Mac and never have to deel with viruses? :???: