Hey F.F. be AWARE of SPYWARE

[Buzz-sawyer]

It is commonly known the destructive nature of viruses....but there is  A NEW THREAT out there in the form of robot programs and other noxious HACKS that self install on you computer as you INNOCENTLY surf the net.

   Many (most) free internet accelerators(and many other programs)  contain SPYWARE which allows others to track your computer....or a DIALER, KEYSTROKE or other hacks that allow people to access your computer, modum, or  even your phone to make 1-900 calls......

   A good solution for everybody on the NET is to run a reputable SPYWARE BOT remover similair to SPYBOT it is a small program that when you run it , will identify tracking cookies and add ware and spyware etc. it allows you the option of what to keep and remove....I believe everyone who has not checked for these bugs would be shocked at the number that show up on a test ] using SPYBOT or some other removal program ....
   it is free also I used it and it seems GOOD (just pay attention when it askes you what to get ride of...green colored ones are generally safe and needed for your browser ).

[Texas Ranger]

another one is ad-aware.com, does the same thing

[Fla._Deadheader]

Right on, Friar. That's the one we use. Works great  

[Bill_B]

I use Spy-Bot then check with Ad-Aware. Also I use Spyware Blaster. This program will not let listed sites add any thing to your computer.
Always keep these updated.

[Rocky_J]

Another important point is to simply use smart browsing habits. It is easier to keep those spyware programs off your computer if you are aware of where they come from.

Most anything that sounds like it is just a 'free, fun download' is likely to have spyware. ALL of those free 'toolbars' have spyware. Most games have spyware. Pretty much all websites with porn or 'babe of the day' will have spyware if you download anything. Any site that offers 'free stuff' will put spyware or popup programs in your computer if you let them. Very little is 'free'.

Disable third party cookies in your browser. Use a popup blocker (I prefer a more inclusive browsing protection program like Norton Internet Security). Get ad-aware and run it once in a while. Or go to a site such as www.PCPitStop.com and scan your system to find out what programs are running on your computer.

Once you know what the problems are and where they came from, you can avoid making the same mistakes again.

[karl]

Rocky-
Thanks for the tip on Pitstop- amazing what 5 minutes of tuneup can fix at times!

[IMERC]

Ad-aware 6.0 is out now... Still free.

[Scott]

I'm pretty sure I have spyware on the computer. Can someone give me links to sites with anti spyware programs? Thanks

[Ianab]

You can download Ad-Aware from here.
There are other programs, but this is the one I use.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Ian

[IMERC]

Spybot is another good spyware.
Kaspersky is proving to be a good AV.
I run webroot, spybot and adaware one after the other and each seems to catch something the other one missed.

[Rocky_J]

I'm pretty sure I have spyware on the computer. Can someone give me links to sites with anti spyware programs? Thanks

Look at my post above. PC PitStop will check your system and tell you exactly what programs are running on your computer. I like (and use) Ad-Aware, but it will not define what programs you are running.

[Ron Wenrich]

I got nailed with a bunch of adware and spyware last week.  These things went in and changed my settings, including home page and other things.  

Then, every time I was on the Internet, it tried to attach to different websites.  My McAfee blocked them, but it kept on giving me pop-up messages saying it was trying to get to such-and-such website.  It tried 10 times every 15 seconds.  Really drove me nuts.

I tried to erase these things using my delete function, but no dice.  I tried to quarantine with my McAfee - that didn't work.  Tried to destroy the files with WinCleaner - and that didn't work.

I downloaded Ad-Aware, then ran a scan, found the problems and quarantined.  It worked the first time.  Thanks for putting up those links.  A real lifesaver.

[Buzz-sawyer]

Hey Ron
Glad you put the KIBoSCH to those useless rascals!