I was reading this topic Link and i clicked on the link and i got spyware. I downloaded Microsoft defender 2, but when i ran it it said something had stopped it from running. Yesterday i installed updates from microsoft and i resarted my computer today, because the update were installed and Microsoft defender works. I did a quick scan and then a Full scan, but found noting, but i still have spyware. Any ideas what i can do, I was think of just formatting the harddirve and re-installing windows.

I use http://www.pestpatrol.com/ for my spyware, others probably suggest some other good ones, but a fresh install every now and then isn't a totally bad idea either...

Free anti-spyware programs are available on-line. You can download and install more than one spyware program if you're concerned about third party contracts (And it is a problem). Zonelabs modifies my remote code, cookie, and private header options for various websites (E-bay, Doubleclick.net, Google. etc.) every time I renew.

I don't suggest re-formatting as that won't be viable over the long term with all the infections you'll inevitably suffer. Here's one step you can take that will block the spyware-laden cookies:

From IE, click on Tools
Click on Internet Options
Select the Privacy tab
Click the Advanced button
Click the checkbox to override automatic cookie handling
Select the block radio button for first-party and third-party cookies
Leave the "Always Allow Session Cookies" checkbox unselected
Click OK
Click on the Sites button and enter the domains that you trust to set cookies (Banks, ISP, E-mail, etc.)

sometimes they add as add-ons too

in IE explorer it's Tools>Internet Options>Programs>Manage Addons

and then look for stuff you don't want there.

But cookies don't have anything to do with spyware

I had a lot of problems with popups and spyware in general. I made the mistake of trying to buy software that claimed to remove everything, but in both cases, they did not find anything that the free spyware found, and in one case the free spyware did better(refund anyone?)

Both Ad-aware and Spybot-Search and Destroy are free and incredibly good. Free updates as well. If you go to download.com you can find them both. I ended up getting zone alarm to help as well.

I tried those too and they didn't work either

Do you know what spyware you have? popups? which ones?

Pyro,

Did you try a deep inspection or full system scan with Zone Alarm? When I subscribed, I was given Anonymizer Anti-Spyware, which ultimately gave way to ZA's own spyware remover. Anonymizer recognized the Windows Media spyware while ZA did not.

It only prevents me from going to google and pages like that.

Hmm, I have never heard of that. Does it block it with different browsers? (IE Mozilla) How did ou figure out it is spyware?

In my case I kept getting popups for a particular anti-spyware program(Get this, this spyware installs on your system like a virus and then keeps popping up an add that offers to scan your computer for spyware. Even if you try to close the popup, it continues to 'scan", and then tells you that you have all kinds of problems and to buy their spyware to fix it. It basically removes its own spyware for the low low price of 30 bucks). I did a search and found out how to remove it myself...

I found out because when i go to google or a page like it it says error 1243 this occured because you have spyware and then there's a link to remove the spyware, but if you click on the link it say it document cannot be found.

did you check the add-ons?

you might need to disable system restore for a spy-remover to do the job right. might even need to edit your registry so it doesn't keep adding things in... in those cases you have to work fast to get the machine rebooted before it reloads itself. some you can't even disable till you unload the dll.

Adware and Spybot both did to me what Fluffybunny was talking about, so I've never endorsed them... BUT... MANY people have told me they're fine, so maybe I just had 2 unique bad experiences with them. Pest Patrol when it first came out rendered my OS unusable, but they've made huge progress in the last few years and I trust them a good deal now.

still sounds like an add-on to me. pest patrol takes care of that stuff for me but I've only got it on one machine and the other 3 wind up with all kinds of stuff I get to remove manually and play with.

I'm guessing you mean Ad-Aware? Adware is a generic term for software that generates ads on a computer. In my opinion Ad-aware is the best free one out there. Spybot would be the second. Then I use Trend Micro's online scan to identify and then manually remove whever is left over. I am guessing you had something else on there you might have misidentified, Ad-aware never pushes their product nor does Spybot. There are countless malware programs out there that will install on your system and perform bogus scans identifying hundreds of bogus programs, slowing down your system, all for the sake of getting you to buy the tools to remove their products. It is quite annoying and I long for the day that they put the people that write them in jail where they belong, but for now the only way is with legitimate malware removal tools or formating the system *rant off*

Pyro it sounds to me like you have I think what they call a homepage redirector or something like that.. it's just another form of malware. Avoid entering any personal information into the machine until the issue is resolved.

Alot of these baddies install themselves by exploiting your temporary internet folders file. It's a tool internet explorer uses to quickly load pages, it will save files for faster viewing when you revisit a page. Unfortunately websites can exploit this option by loading files there that you don't want. You can empty this folder pretty easily through internet explorer. Just go to your "Tools" menu at the top. Unless you have a really old version of internet explorer under the "General" tab, click "Delete Files". If you have alot of files in there this may take a long time, just let it do it's job. Then go to this website and start at the top, do steps 1 and 1.5. If you still have problems finish the steps.

If that doesn't work you can always try different software (always make sure you get software recommended from several sources) or keep trying with more complicated routines, running hijack-this and posting in forums with some serious pros, or do a reformat and reload of windows on the system.

Good luck!!

http://anti-spyware-review.toptenreviews.com/

http://www.webroot.com/consumer/products/spysweeper/


nuff said

Spysweeper is some pretty good software. Then again you have to pay for it when you could download free programs that do the same thing. Or you could pay 2x-5x as much and pay someone to take care of the problem for you!! *raises her hand*

Well, i formated my computer and re-installed windows so the spyware is gone

Hey Celumnaz- Thanks for that advice. I have tried everything because I was getting that spyware advertising on IE and I did what you said above and it's gone!!! I was trying to do a windows repair but my CD didn't work so I made boot floppies. Well it wouldn't fully install for me either....I have spent over a week trying to fix this thing and Wallah!! thanks to you its great now. Ty Ty TY