spyware

[5axisguy]

What do you guys use for removing spyware and all that sort of bad stuff, I am currently using adware and spybot, are there others that are effective.?

[UKRobotics]

AVG antispyware isnt bad but the two you mention are two of the best; especially spybot.

To be honest if you have a lost of spyware the best way to remove it is to backup all your important files, format the hard disk and do a total reinstall.

[Drakkn]

Originally Posted by UKRobotics AVG antispyware isnt bad but the two you mention are two of the best; especially spybot. To be honest if you have a lost of spyware the best way to remove it is to backup all your important files, format the hard disk and do a total reinstall.

Yep those items are good for the job - however if you use linux you do not get these type of problems at all.

[dertsap]

spyware doctor and spybot are what i use ,
spybot tends to miss stuff at times but it has some handy tools such as the startup program control which can prevent a lot of crap from starting at boot

[dpuch]

I use spybot, hijackthis, ad-aware and a2hijackfree for detection and removal. I use spybot and spywareblaster to "immunize" my systems. Help a LOT to keep stuff out.

Some tips:
Boot safe mode.
Disable/remove any IE toolbars or helper apps.
Disable active desktop.
For stuborn files that just will not delete, boot to a boot disk and delete them. Linux live CD usually works.

Dale

[ZipSnipe]

I use all AVG,SpywareDoc,HiJackThis,Search&destroy, and Adaware.

[teamtexas]

I used Stopzilla for a long time but kept having problems. Just recently changed over to norton internet security, it seems to be doing a good job but has slowed my computer down alot.

Dan

[dertsap]

i'm getting destroyed here
just got one of the beagle worms , norton won't run , zonealarm won t run , spybot is destroyed and wont reinstall , can t restore , i'm at a loss

but i can reformat ,
AGAIN

[ZipSnipe]

Derstep can you start in safe mode? If ya can see if you can do a system restore.

[dertsap]

Originally Posted by ZipSnipe Derstep can you start in safe mode? If ya can see if you can do a system restore.

safe mode was dead ,everything was falling apart , i could not install or reinstall any type of protection other than trojan remover
SOB beat me !
i can usually regain control , ive removed the most ignorant of viruses but this one killed me ,
ive reformated

normally i reformat due to my own stupidity , this time it was someone elses

[ZipSnipe]

Yeah my wife uses my business pc to do all of her myspace crap and infects all the time. So I,ve gotten pretty experienced in fixing viruses. And if your able to get to the dos prompts you can usually fix it.

[Brandano]

Everything else failing, there's always the possibility to boot from a Linux LiveCD to save the data before reformatting. it might even be possible to attempt cleaning the system using ClamAV from the Linux environment, but I am not sure it would leave the OS properly working. Most virii and troyans tend to leave the OS crippled even if they are forcibly removed. As for what softwares I use to keep my system in trim, I use SpywareBlaster, SpybotS&D (with the resident service activated), AdAware, and on my older machines the Agnitum Outpost Free firewall. I normally use Avira (http://www.free-av.com/index.html) as antivirus, since it's free for personal use, lightweight and so far it has served me well. My experience with Norton has been abysmal in the past, and even though it came bundled with my latest Vista PC I resolved to remove it because even in its latest incarnation seems to be a resource hog intent on crippling all my networking applications. For detection I use HijackThis, but for the actual removal I usually look up on the net whatever steps are appropriate to do it manually. Mind you, the antivirus so far has kept me safe, I usually have to do mantainance on other people's machines.