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Thread OP
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SpyBot and Google Toolbar: A One-Two Punch for Windows Malware
Windows malware (spyware/adware) has started to become an epidemic of sorts in recent months. The FTC has recently been giving this some attention and I'm seeing more and more of it as a full-time computer consultant. If I come across a machine that looks to be severely infested (Hotbar and other search bars in IE and Outlook), I take the following steps.
1) Download and install SpyBot Search and Destroy
2) If you still have symptoms of adware then it's time for an uppercut in the form of Ad-Aware. I've seen it catch a few things SpyBot hasn't as it's updated more frequently. It doesn't immunize, though, so I only use it when there's a particularly evasive piece of malware. Ad-Aware is very effective if you keep it updated and is a little easier to use. 3) Now that your machine is running lean and clean it's time to squash popups once and for all. Go to http://toolbar.google.com and click Download Google Toolbar. It will walk you through the process and appear under your Address Bar in Internet Explorer. Keep in mind that it must be showing to block popups and that it keeps track of them with a counter in the middle. Here's a shot of mine: ![]() Have fun! |
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Last edited by Awakened; May 04, 2004 at 10:10 PM.
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Latest blog entry: I'll be glad when this is over.
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Thread OP
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Latest blog entry: I'll be glad when this is over.
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In addition to the two mentioned programs, HijackThis will identify problems such as homepage/searchpage hijacking. I have found some problems all three could not fix, and had to get a patch to fix it specifically. Check out the new Netscape 7.0... It has pop-up blocking built right in. I am using it more and more in place of IE
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Another vote for Netscape 7.X. It's popup blocker hasn't let a single popup through since I've installed it .
And it's not an add-on. ![]() FWIW, M$ will be (2 years later) catching up with Netscape this summer by releasing a Service Pack for IE that adds a popup blocker into the browser. Rick |
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Are there any free spyware / ad ware removers out there that work well?
If not free then what is the best for the money? I am having a real problem with a slow system and pop ups right now. I have downloaded a couple and run the scans then try to remove and that's when they ask me for money. No mention of it before this. This type of business practice I don't like. Thanks |
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Okay, I was finally able to get both ad aware and spybot. Hopefully this will stop those popups.
I already have the google tool bar with pop ups blocked but somehow they get by. I have pop-up blocker disabled on RCGroups so I can open up PMs while browsing. This is where they started popping up then. Thanks, Joe |
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