Ridding Your Windows 98/XP Computer of Spyware, Adware...

[Bernie]

For all those dealing with the frustration of Spyware, trojans, virus infections, keystroke loggers... on their Microsoft Windows PC and who want to learn how to remove these nefarious programs, please read this...

http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/report-200408.html

The article contains solid suggestions/hints with links to spyware removal programs (many free).

[BrunoRepublic]

A couple of other points: there is actually spyware "removal" programs out there which are actually spyware themselves! These are the kind which usually appear as pop-up "warnings". Spybot and Ad-Aware are the best in my experience.

Second, KaZaa and a few other popular apps install heaps of spyware/adware as part of their terms and conditions. If you remove the adware, the application no longer runs.

[Bernie]

A couple of other points: there is actually spyware "removal" programs out there which are actually spyware themselves!

So very true. Another twist that one needs to look out for.

[Nano]

Agree with you guys. I have both AdAware and Spybot and my PC certainly improved. And Kazaa installs something called "TopSearch". However, you can opt to not install it in the program's installment options (I believe; I didn't re-install it yet).
Soulseek, until now, seems to be free of spyware.

Did you guys read about that "hole" in the Microsoft Explorer which is used by some sites to run pop-ups and spyware from the outside? Sometimes you stumble upon a site and a pop-up appears warning about a virus that Norton couldn't kill nor repair. The first time I rebooted my PC right away, fearing it could be a fake Norton window (you had one of those "accept" keys on it), but then I read that the spyware comes from the site and is gone when you go to another page (so it's not in your computer and Norton can't find it). Spybot warns me about this on a regular basis.

[Bernie]

On this morning's all-news radio station they reported that the average unprotected Windows computer is infected with some virus, spyware... within twenty minutes of it being connected to the internet. It went on to say it happens even faster if it is a broadband (cable, DSL...) connection!

Nicky, our forum moderator, just wiped his machine clean this past weekend to clear out all this junk. It's a royal pain, but perhaps the only way to really excise those evil spirits.

Nano, I never-ever-ever click on "any" banner or graphic that purports to be an alert of some kind. Don't even click the "No" button.

[Nano]

Thanks, Bernie. I usually reboot right away, however sometimes I lose some information because of that. Still I prefer it to fall into some trap... Seems paranoia is included into globalisation :)

[Videoskooter]

The majority of Spyware is written for Internet Explorer so I'm using another browser now (most of the time) and I rarely get something on my PC now. At least my Anti-Virus and Ad-aware and Spybot don't find anything.

Another good program is Spysweeper from webroot.com. It's not a free one but you can try it out and it gets the stuff that is not discovered by the other ones. A good pop-up-stopper also is a must and there are some very good free-ones.

[Bernie]

Market research or spyware?
http://news.com.com/ComScore+Spyware...l?tag=nefd.top

[Videoskooter]

Every program or software that's installed on my PC for marketing research or whatsoever is Spyware and I don't want it secretly downloaded on my disc. Where's the thin line between helpfull software and junk that's installed to track me down or send spam to me or, worse, keeps record of all my activities on the net?

Privacy is not something to be neglected. I don't come into your house without permission and I don't want them to come in my PC when they are NOT invited!

Private property means: Keep out!