Seeking suggestions

[Jolena]

I'm seeking suggestions on programs for spyware/adware killers and antivirus software. I don't mind paying for it, I just need something that will work. Right now I'm dealing with some nasty adware issues and it's making my pc run like soup. :(

Any ideas are appreciated.

[Wezas]

The two I've heard the best things about are Ad-Aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) and Microsoft AntiSpyware (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)

Currently I have Microsoft installed at home, but have used Ad-aware in the past.

[CrystalTears]

I use both. Haven't had any problems since.

[TheRoseLady]

I use Ad-aware, HijackThis, Spydoctor and Microsoft Anti-Spyware. The first three are run occasionally, the last one is always on.

All are free.

I had someone recommend Kaspersky AV software recently.

[Jolena]

God I hope it can clean up my pc without having to reformat. I would seriously hate to lose some of my files and such. :(

I have microsoft spyware but my antivirus is norton (fully updated and paid for etc) and I'm being told it sucks.

I also have a winfix program that won't come off my computer no matter how many times microsoft spyware removes it.

[fallenSaint]

I'm quite the fan of Microsoft's myself. Currently the only I have installed on my Home PC and it works like a charm.

[Augie]

AVG is a great antivirus. I have disabled Norton and run AVG and it's found TONS of stuff that Norton just let go by.

Also, get Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search & Destroy, and AdAware. Those are great.

You should easily find these on a search through download.com

[Ebondale]

I have BPS (Bullet-Proof Software) which I downloaded for free from LimeWire. No problems.

[Sean of the Thread]

I've used http://www.safer-networking.org/ SPYBOT s&d in conjunction with ADaware for years and it has pwned all spyware problems completely.

Firefox ftw also.

[StrayRogue]

Panda Scan and Ad-Aware.

[The Ponzzz]

Well if you wanna kill everything on your PC real fast, use Hitman Pro 2. Yea, it does some crazy shit, but if you got something fierce on your PC it will wipe it the fuck out.

After that, unistall everything it put on your PC and just keep adaware and PC Chillin's freeware and yer fine!

[Latrinsorm]

Bullet-Proof SoftwareHow exactly does Tetris stop spyware?
Yea, it does some crazy shitIt is *vital* to check up on exactly what Hitman Pro 2 does before installing/running it, if anyone was considering going this path. I don't have the info handy, but "crazy shit" is an understatement.

[Bobmuhthol]

I suggest you just use the internet correctly. I have had absolutely no cases of popups, adware, malware, etc. affecting this computer and I've owned it for nearly half a year. I use no security.

In any event, I strongly recommend you get AdAware Pro. You can download it from me at http://68.112.253.181/AdAware and the filename is aawsepro.exe. The other two programs are added features that I personally don't find necessary or particularly useful. Spybot is a good partner to AdAware. MS Anti-Spyware, while effective, got annoying so I stopped using it a while ago (before using this computer) with no adverse effects.

[Jazuela]

winfix.exe could be part of a backdoor trojan that infects networks and IRC. The worm is called SdBot, and you can check with Sophos to find out if that's what you're dealing with. If it is, you might have to futz around with your registry, but if you have even a -little- discomfort messing with registry keys, you're better off paying a professional to do it for you. It isn't really all that difficult, but the registry isn't something most people want to touch. Sophos gives exact removal instructions for the worm, but if your winfix isn't related to that worm you'll need to do some more research. The other most common winfix thing is a bot program that you downloaded onto your computer. You might've received an e-mail saying this program would fix up to 10% of pre-existing windows problems and 90% of future problems, without changing any files. There's a whole bunch of articles about it, but I didn't check any of them for removal instructions.

Good luck!

[AnticorRifling]

God I hope it can clean up my pc without having to reformat. I would seriously hate to lose some of my files and such. :(

I have microsoft spyware but my antivirus is norton (fully updated and paid for etc) and I'm being told it sucks.

I also have a winfix program that won't come off my computer no matter how many times microsoft spyware removes it.


Send me a PM or I'll forget about this after I sleep but I can, most likely, fix whatever spyware problem you're having when I get to work tomorrow.

[Bobmuhthol]

<<God I hope it can clean up my pc without having to reformat. I would seriously hate to lose some of my files and such.>>

You can very, very, very easily backup files, as your computer and hard drive are both functional. If you managed to lose anything from a reformat, you would be a very stupid person.

It's healthier for the operation of your machine to reformat occassionally. It clears up the disarray of writing, overwriting, and erasing files that eventually slows down processing, and also gets rid of the things left behind when you install and uninstall programs as well as clearing your registry and starting that anew.

[Drew2]

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/1278-hitman-pro.html

End transmission.

[Bobmuhthol]

Except Hitman sux. :(

[Jolena]

winfix.exe could be part of a backdoor trojan that infects networks and IRC. The worm is called SdBot, and you can check with Sophos to find out if that's what you're dealing with. If it is, you might have to futz around with your registry, but if you have even a -little- discomfort messing with registry keys, you're better off paying a professional to do it for you. It isn't really all that difficult, but the registry isn't something most people want to touch. Sophos gives exact removal instructions for the worm, but if your winfix isn't related to that worm you'll need to do some more research. The other most common winfix thing is a bot program that you downloaded onto your computer. You might've received an e-mail saying this program would fix up to 10% of pre-existing windows problems and 90% of future problems, without changing any files. There's a whole bunch of articles about it, but I didn't check any of them for removal instructions.

Good luck!


Yes, winfix.exe is a major issue on my computer right now. This all started when my mother was here using my pc and downloading games to play for free. I don't know what happened but slowly over the last 2 months (she was here for the 1st month), my computer has become soup. :( I've ran Microsoft AntiSpyware and installed WinAntiVirus2006 and am running it now. If worse comes to worse, I might just reformat and send my files to a disc or James.

[Jolena]

Okay so I ended up doing a system restore after trying system recovery to no avail. I backed up all my files, etc. Then went through the restore which would keep my data files but restore all the applications back to factory settings. The restore went through fine, the computer rebooted, the window came up to re-register and install Windows XP, etc. I get to the end of the Windows XP section, click finish and it hangs up for like 90 minutes. Finally it just shuts down. I start it back up about 10 minutes later and it gives me an error when trying to load Windows XP that it didn't finish installing the system and to rerun setup. I clicked okay, it reboots the PC. I hit F1 for setup and it enters the setup area. I clicked on restore default settings for all system setup devices and saved it, and exited, it rebooted again on it's own and the same error comes up when it tries to load Windows XP.

Am I pretty much fucked and need to take this to a professional computer fixer thing? Or is there something that someone here knows of that I can do to rerun the set up on Windows XP?