Adware Removal Software Needed

[muthabored]

Good morning...

I had my niece over the other day and allowed her to use my PC (Windows XP Home Ed). I suspect that she's downloaded a piece of software or two (possibly a game or maybe even accepted/allowed the downloading of something else). Several scans of Norton Antivirus have detected a number of Adware incidents. I visited the Symantec website for removal instructions (since NAV won't remove the files on its own) but these instructions aren't working for me (mostly registry edits and searches to remove .ini files). Is there a program that anyone knows of that I could use to get this mess off of my PC? (Note: If I leave my PC connected to the Internet and leave it idle for an hour or so, Internet Explorer windows open on their own.) I have Adware 6.0 and Spybot S&D but they don't seem to help. Thanks in advance...

 

[2ffat]

Look at forum760 for some very good advise in this area!

James P. Cottingham

^{There's no place like 127.0.0.1.
There's no place like 127.0.0.1.}

 

[cdogg]

This site talks about Ad-aware, Spybot and a program called HijackThis! along with tutorials on how to use each:

http://www.geocities.com/cc210026/spywareinfo.html

Even though you've already used Ad-aware and Spybot, I strongly recommend you choose custom scans in each to enable all deep scanning options. Also make sure you are using the latest version of each program. If that still doesn't help after rebooting, then consider using HijackThis! which will compile logs for you to share with other experts.

And finally, consider installing a software firewall like Zonealarm Pro or BlackIce, even if you already have a hardware firewall such as a router. The software firewall helps to protect you from outgoing access violations from apps running on your PC.

~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind"
[tab][tab]- Aristotle

 

[jsauce]

You should also try

http://www.antivirus.com

which has a good online scanner that seems to remove some adware as well as the standard viruses and trojans.

John D. Saucier
jsauce@magicguild.com
Certified Technician
Network Administrator

 

[muthabored]

Thanks to all of you

 

[bithead9]

I like AdAware - you can download for free. Just do a Google saarch. They update the patter files regulary too.

 

[cdogg]

bithead9,
Perhaps you missed muthabored's original post which stated:

"[blue]I have Adware 6.0 and Spybot S&D but they don't seem to help[/blue]"




~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind"
[tab][tab]- Aristotle

 

[jthiessen]

Keep in mind as well that if she did "accept" something, it needs to be uninstalled and most Adware programs will not uninstall a piece of software you agreed to. Check HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSFT\WINDOWS\CURRENT VERSION\RUN for possible contamination.

Josh

MCSE, CCNA, MCT, MCP

 

[linney]

Next time your niece visits (hide the computer) or at least surf with an account that is a limited user and not able to do as much damage to a system, compared to surfing as an Administrator.