| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing
Posted: 3/23/2005 7:57:23 PM | 90% of visitors to dating sites are running some form of spyware.
Download the following products and run them, you are infected if you get popups, or your homepage changes/ can't be changed.
1. Download Spybot (This is completely Free)
2. Download Ad-Aware (This is completely Free)
3. Microsoft Anti Spyware (This is completely Free for now)
Is your computer infected? IF you are even reading this chances are 95% yes.
1. Strange Icons Appear on desktop
2. You get popups.
3. You have a toolbar installed that isn't from yahoo, google or msn.
4. Weird links start appearing in the text of webpages, and when you click on them you get sent to other sites.
5. You can't change your homepage.
6. When you type in the name of a site incorrectly it takes you to some search site you have never heard of.
7. Your computer is REALLY slow when surfing.
8. Anything that claims to be a "internet accelerator" aka webhancer, netsetter, marketscore etc.
9. Add remove programs contains programs like bargin buddy, popup, search assistant etc
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 7:05:36 AM | | also, almost any type of site where you download smilies or any "neat feature" software...like any program that wants to reside in your taskbar by the clock...for your computer is most likely going to be spyware..so don't install it! | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 8:06:03 AM | (HTML links here done with BigFish permission)
Microsoft Anti Spyware XP/2K Only (This is completely Free for now and will stay free after the beta testing is done.) This has been reviewed recently as being one of the best out there but still *only* 63% effective by itself. PLEASE use multiple scanners!
Your spyware/anti-virus protection is only as good as your last update!
Everyone should also be running the free, well-reputed SpywareBlaster from JavacoolSoftware. Install it, run and update it weekly, and "Enable All Protection". It's pre-emptive and keeps tons of junk from ever installing.
For those not running XP/2K, JavaCool also has SpywareGuard - not as exhaustive as the MS program but it does provide heuristic, real-time protection.
Also, SpywareGuide.com has a good little quick online scanner and a "Spyware Block List", a small file that you save to your computer, right-click and Merge into your Window's registry (all versions). It, too, works a bit like SpywareBlaster by blocking spyware. Bookmark the site and use both occasionally.
Remember, to avoid any form of spyware scanner that advertises itself in the form of popups or those banners that tell you that you are already infected. It might be right but scare tactics denote a shady product. Throw the product's name into Google and look for reviews. Some free ones actually get some spyware and *install* others!
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 8:11:32 AM | (Editing kept chopping off 2nd half)
I'd also recommend Firefox browser. It's growing in popularity and will eventually attract more attention. Until then, it's a ton more secure than IE. You can also get extensions for it for added functionality (I have a translation module, spell checker, page reloader, ad blocker, etc).
Lastly, if you haven't been there lately, get your Windows Updates caught up. Off the record, if you're running XP, I'd recommend installing your Critical Updates one at a time and noting which one is going in. This way, should the update be incompatible with your system, you'll know which one to avoid. (Rare but I've seen it).
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Nice point, Ex. Problem is that most of that junk gets installed alongside of other softwares and most of my customers are oblivious that it's ever been put on. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 2:21:50 PM | May I suggest a few good free programs?
I've tried a lot of the various popup killers and the one I like the best that's free is NoAds.
Another really good free program is SpywareGuard. It works great if something is trying to change your home page or hijack your browser.
A modified hosts file blocks a lot of unwanted websites. I'd give some url's but I don't want to risk getting into trouble again! Try adding ... hosts file block sites or something like that to a google search.
I really like AdShield as a Banner Ad Blocker & Popup Blocker but it's no longer free. HOWEVER if you go to google and type in CastleCops AdShield then at the first link is the forums at CastleCops where they discuss where to get the older free version. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 2:33:43 PM |
I really like AdShield as a Banner Ad Blocker & Popup Blocker but it's no longer free. HOWEVER if you go to google and type in CastleCops AdShield then at the first link is the forums at CastleCops where they discuss where to get the older free version.
Sorry. My mistake.
It was actually the 3rd link on the search results. Better yet search on google for.... CastleCops AdShield forum121 | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 5:10:09 PM | | What about free anti-virus like AVG. Or free fire walls like Zone Alarm. Spyware is very troublesome but there is more to deal with than just spyware not to mention that a good fire wall keeps a lot of stuff from ever getting in in the first place. Windows fire wall just doesn't cut it. I can't post a link to download dot com but you all can. Help out these helpless people ok? | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 5:37:30 PM | You got to be careful with Download.com. A lot of crap there. A lot of the files off there have spyware or trojans in.
One Example: Mp3 Shield from Download.com has theTrojan.Win32.Killav.du in. (I sent the file to Virustotal). Yet the one from mp3shield.com was clean. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 8:35:26 PM | | it kinda sux but these days pretty much every program, no matter how well protectd it is, could have some type of spyware in it. So many annoying hackers who have nothing better to do then send you spyware or send you a virus. The internet has it's a dvantages but the biggest disadvantage is that it attracts morons that are so pathetic they spend their entire day making viruses to send to people. Those people should get a job..or shoot themselves. whatever comes first, lol | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/24/2005 10:25:23 PM | I've long suspected there were problems BUT these are the preventive measures
I take AT LEAST once a week (lately more like DAILY just to get it working right at all!)
quite fustrated: frustrating & apparently all to no avail:
norton Anti-Virus 2004 ~ live update/current definitions Windows Update SpyBot Search & Destroy Yahoo Anti-Spy disc cleanup >scan disc> defrag (ME) TweakNow RegCleaner housecallsdotcom (which seemed ? thorough : anyone familiar? consumer info available??? ...also had debug but can't find it...
so ya see i do my darnedest...can someone tell me PRECISELY what necessary thang i'm missing? or see any unnecessary stuff on the list? HELP ME SOMEHOW???
(not yelling at Y'ALL, just bein' a lil dramatic)) 
please put everything in SIMPLEST possible terms because
ONCE i even managed to massacre the entire staff of characters running this cybergadget: Maintenance Wizard, Dr. Watson, Task Scheduler, Uninstall Wizard and a few more even ~~ fortunately was able to resuscitate them without professional assistance but that was
sheer beginner's LUCK I suspect...
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/25/2005 6:06:54 AM | a certified cisco network instructor advises the following combination....
AVG by grisoft.com
Spybot
and Zone Alarm
they are all free... and no one he knows that is running them simultaneously has had any issues...
as an added precaution... a physical firewall is also helpful... although that is not free, they are coming down in price.
As was mentioned before, though... you have to make sure that you keep it all uptodate... which if you allow them to do so automatically, is not difficult....
The other thing is never mind the settings which only check executables... check everything on the puter... If the scan is done when you are not using the puter... It is cheap insurance.
AND you occasionally find things that are not supposed to be there. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/25/2005 9:42:04 AM | A famous free Firewall is available from Sygate (Sygate Personal Firewall 5.0) and is great at catching Trojan virus trying to call home. Also can "Backtrace" the source of where the hacker is from. Also the free Avast 4 Home addition is highly regarded. Anyone wanting the download links can PM me anytime.  | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/25/2005 2:52:11 PM | guys if you wanna stay away from spyware, there is actually no need to go looking for a spyware cleaner, I have tried all of them but they dont permenantely remove the spyware,
Heres one of the safest and easiest solution against spyware that i find,
1) Start using firefox, its free and prevents popups and automatic execution of .exe files(these are the real trouble makers)
2) for additional measures, always try to keep activeX disabled in your internet options, if a particular sites needs it, then you can go in again to enable it, this way you know if you trust that site.
Nick | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/25/2005 4:41:08 PM | Hi
1) I am using Keiro for the firewall, its free for home (recommended by network techie friend of mine) works pretty well.
2) I have used Trendmicro's free online scan, housecall, it picks up torjans and virsuses and clears them.
3) FIREFOX - I use it and I love the tabs and the blocking features.
But someone mentioned that ther have been more security flaws in the last few months compared to IE ?? Would someone be able to confirm ?
Thx | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/25/2005 5:12:43 PM |
3) FIREFOX - I use it and I love the tabs and the blocking features.
But someone mentioned that ther have been more security flaws in the last few months compared to IE ?? Would someone be able to confirm ?
Go to google and type in firefox security flaws in the search window. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/25/2005 9:11:56 PM | | Buy Norton Internet Security Professional. Its worth the 300 bucks. I haven't had a pop up in a year now. You could probably even download it for free from Kazaa or some other type of shareware service. Warning, these shareware services are often filled with spy-ware and ad-ware. But after you download the Norton, you can delete the spy-ware and the shareware. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/25/2005 11:58:45 PM | | Norton is a piece of junk. They strip out anything that looks like advertising or javascript etc. Good many sites you go to you can't use half the stuff because they have stripped it out for you and you don't even know its gone. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/26/2005 2:34:11 AM | avg let 17 trojans onto my win 98 o/s. win xp pro came with viruses on it. Norton let everything in, didn't quarantine properly, made files go missing like admin said and my only saving grace was i didn't pay for it, rather it was a gift (that kept giving....problems)
i run linux now (mandrake 10.1)and never have to use any type of anti virus or anything else to keep my computer safe and running a-ok. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/26/2005 9:13:53 AM |
avast from awil is real good anti virus protection. its free. it will take care of all the trojens and worms i`ve seen and i get alot of them just from this site.
You can't get anything from plentyoffish, its probably just a lame program reporting cookies as virus's. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/26/2005 11:53:31 AM | | Yeah, sounds like something may have gotten into the temporary internet files from a site other then POF. In IE go to Tools, Internet Options, Delete Files, and checkmark "Delete all offline content"...then ok. Also clear the cookies as often as possible. | |
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| IMPORTANT --> Spyware - Popups, Homepage Changing, etc
Posted: 3/26/2005 12:38:40 PM | | FOR THOSE....looking for free anti virus programs.....i have found opne called anti vir...to be very thourough and easy to use......scans for all kinds of viruses ,worms trogans....all kinds of variants!!! i personally used it for a long time and found it very good!!!On the spyware topic.....spyware programs are a little more tricky it seems.........my experience with free spyware programs..is they will do a bang up job finding spyware.....but removing any major threats can be a different story............spybot and ad-aware.....seem to be the best free-bees out there......... | |
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