Again: DU computer help, please!

[tcfrogs]

I know this type of topic gets on here a lot, but I think I have a big problem.

I've had some serious spyware issues over the past day. I've run Ad-Aware several times, and SBC Yahoo Anti-Spy (I have SBC/Yahoo DSL as my ISP). My internet connection is VERY slow, freezes on a regular basis, and doesn't allow me to have more than one browser window open at a time. I've gotten several messages that my system resources are very low.

Also, it doesn't matter whether I use IE, Firefox Mozilla, or the Yahoo browser, they're all slow & keep getting pop-ups.

Anyone have any ideas for me?

Thanks - tc

[Huckebein the Raven]

1. Have you tried Spybot: Search and Destroy ?

It's good to use that along with Ad-Aware. As fore Mozilla Firefox, are you sure you have pop-ups blocked option clicked ?

here's a link to Spybot:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

[flowomo]

2. buy PestPatrol.... sounds like a hijacker....

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Straight up:

It might be time for a re-format and reinstall. Pain in the ass? Yep. Sometimes necessary? Yep.

You might also look at doubling you RAM. Cheap way to get some real performance gains.

How much RAM do you have?

[Maestro]

4. This sounds like the typical

virus or spyware infestation. Adaware will not get viruses. Go to www.grisoft.com and download their free virus scanner. It is one of the best. Run it and see if it detects a worm or virus. Otherwise you may have to reinstall Windows, which is pretty painless nowadays.

[Ready4Change]

5. Also get the latest Windows Updates.

I had some similar problems a while back that didn't clear out till I got the then latest Windows Updates. While their OS is riddled with flaws, they have been doing updates to shut down the latest exploits.

Beyond that, use Adaware, Spybot S&D, and Mcafee anti virus.

[MsUnderstood]

6. Three major programs needed

Anti virus software (scan for free at trendmicro.com or pandasoftware.com but you should get the free anti-virus)

Firewall (I think zonealarm is pretty good only because it is FREE and tells you EVERY program trying to access the internet).

Ad Aware (these guys are right--run both adaware and spybot).

Check to make sure you have the most up to date on all of these programs before scanning.

I hate reformatting--it is a last ditch effort but just did that to a gal's computer after she had reinstalled xp over xp and used different computer names, user names, etc. plus the spyware would not disappear!!!

[UL_Approved]

7. Other programs

One program I use that is particularly well suited to removing hijackers is HijackThis. This is a very small program with no actual installation (single executable only). For more advice, try Gibson Research Corporation (http://www.grc.com)

[denverbill]

8. Have you added any software to your system lately?

It could be that you've just got too much crap running in the background. Every piece of software that any company writes they seem to think it needs to run on startup and they'll add it to your start programs when you install it.

You might try start, run, and type msconfig.

That takes you to a menu where you can control what gets run on startup. You might try that and then rebooting to see if that helps.

[tcfrogs]

9. Thanks everyone!

Making progress...found a "trojan horse downloader" in my Windows Media Player, which I never use.

Still working on it with your assistance, thanks again!!!

[sir_captain]

10. The newest versions

of Norton Antivirus (2004 and 2005) do an excellent job of scanning for both viruses and spyware. I highly recommend downloading a free trial version and letting it do its thing. In my experience, the only way to get rid of everything is to use a combination of Norton, adaware, spybot, hijack this. Between all of them, you can usually get everything.