Attn: DU Computer Geeks (Spyware Problem)

[CO Liberal]

It looks like I picked up some spyware again - I keep getting random popups, and an error message come up every time I reboot talking about Explorer causing a fault in RICLTC5.DLL.

I just installed Spyware Blaster and CWShredder, which was suggested on another site.

Any ideas????

[tcfrogs]

1. Ad-aware worked great for me

Plus, I have one from my ISP - SBC Yahoo DSL.

No link, sorry.

[flowomo]

2. if you need adaware... get a free copy from lavasoft... it's good

but you may have worse problems. For real help, pay the $35 or so for PestPatrol... I did and it wiped out dozens and dozens of hidden pieces of shit.

[Cerridwen]

3. Do either of the programs you just installed report

RICLTC5.DLL as a problem?

On another site I checked and his spyware software reported RICLTC5.DLL as malware - something that needs to go bye bye.

[Zero Division]

4. Try the freeware Hijackthis.

I'm sure you can find it through www.computercops.biz . Then go back to that site and look to see if anyone in their forums (they have a special forum dedicated just to Hijackthis logs) has gotten help from a site responder for the same problem or something similar in order to find out what to delete using Hijackthis. If that doesn't work you can, of course, post your own log on that forum, but it often takes a long while to get a response (took me over 2 weeks for a response to my problem there).

Make sure the malware isn't causing you to lose hard drive space. Sometimes malware will create its own files that start taking up large amounts of space on your hard drive (those files may also be hidden, in which case you'll have to find out how to look at hidden files for your OS).

[mvd]

6. That's what I was going to say

They provide good analysis of those logs at this forum:

http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/security,1

Make sure you follow their steps before posting a HJT log, though.

Also try the free trial of SpySweeper:

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

[OldLeftieLawyer]

5. Try Firefox

I switched from IE to Firefox about a month ago, and I cannot believe how superior it is! No spyware, no popups, and the smoothest design imaginable.

Believe me, I thought IE was just fine. Ad-Aware, Spybot, Google Toolbar to stop the popups, I had all those things, and ran them regularly.

With Firefox, I run Spybot every once in a while. That's it.

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

[burrowowl]

7. Don't run IE

and get a Mac or use Linux

[lfs5]

8. Get Spybot--it's free and it works!

I've been pleased with SpywareBlaster, but it only works before the fact. Spybot--http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/ --will track down any spyware and can usually eliminate it, but not always.

Also get RegCleaner--http://www.webmasterfree.com/regcleaner.html -- it's a freeware program that allows you to see what's in your system registry. If you see a program that doesn't belong, be sure to check it out.

To protect a computer using Internet Expolorer from a DSO exploit, open RegCleaner-go to the Tools menu and Run Regedit. Double click HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\0 then change the value of "1004" (DWORD) to 3. )DSO exploits are usually not that easy to eliminate. Even with Spybot, I had one that would come back as soon as it was deleted or repaired by Spybot, I ended up having to wipe my disk to get rid of it. That's when I went searching for a fix and found it on an online site.)

If you need help, try these sites for free help:
http://computercops.biz/postp329633.html
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/lofiversion/index.php/t1734.html

For updates and warnings, subscribe (for free or donation) to:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/newsletter/archives/0604/8.php

Hope this helps.

[CO Liberal]

9. I Tried All Your Suggestions (Except Mac & Linux)

I'm still getting the "RICLTC5.DLL" error message. Closing out that error message makes the whole screen go blue - but not the "blue screen of death".

I tried to delete the RICLTC5.DLL file, but I couldn't because it was being used by Windows.

Does anyone know how to switch a PC running Windows ME to DOS mode? It doesn't give me a "Restart in DOS Mode" option.

[AntiCoup2K4]

11. You'll have to boot into DOS from a floppy

Create an "emergency startup disk" and boot from that.

And get rid of Windows ME as soon as possible. That was the worst excuse for an OS Microsoft ever released.

[charlie]

12. The only way

to restart in DOS mode in WinME is from a floppy. Pick up a bootdisk from here:

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

*OR*

If you expect you'll need to reboot to DOS often in the future, there are patches to hardwire the option. Here's one of them:

http://www.geocities.com/mfd4life_2000/

[seraph]

10. Links

Download and run ad-aware. Be sure to update the defeinitions file before you do.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/


Then download and run the trial version of jv16 - registry cleaner.

http://www.jv16.org/



That should help some.

[CO Liberal]

13. Thanks, Everyone, For Your Suggestions

I'm still getting pop-ups, but not as often. And the "RICLTC5.DLL" error message now says "<unknown>".

I'm still trying.....

[BoX o BooX]

14. I saw another thread yesterday...

It also had links for free anti-virys software. Now I can't seem to find the thread.

I want to run these programs... can anyone also provide the anti-virus software links? TIA.

[6th Borough]

15. As a previous user mentioned, use Spybot PLUS Adaware...

which is also free. Neither is perfect, but between the two of them hardly anything escapes.

Also...DON'T USE INTERNET EXPLORER!
I personally use Firefox (you can even boot it off of a USB keychain with your favorites and option intact).

[Ann Arbor Dem]

16. I useFirefox, Adaware, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster....

Combined, they catch almost everything. You just need to make sure you get updates for them frequently to keep on top of the new spyware.

I haven't had problems since I started using them all.

[Ann Arbor Dem]

17. I use Firefox, Adaware, Spybot, and Spyware Blaster....

Combined, they catch almost everything. You just need to make sure you get updates for them frequently to keep on top of the new spyware.

I haven't had problems since I started using them all.