Out of nowhere I have invincible spyware

Post by **Mogul** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:37 pm

Apparently something I did has opened the floodgates. This morning when I turned my pc on, I was greeted with the most infections, debilitating spyware I've ever seen. I can't launch explorer without it automatically shutting down (so I can't get to my c:\), it's screwing with my wallpaper, turning it into a link for a spyware removal program (this is obviously the spyware's work in itself) and Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta 1 won't even get rid of it.

It says it does, but just seconds later, I've got the same problems again.

I'm running XP SP2, using Firefox, and I have Microsoft AntiSpyware auto protection/update on.

So -- first things first. I'd like to NOT have to reformat my hdd, so is there a good way that you guys know will work, to get rid of this stuff?

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 4:51 pm

i can see that Microsft/Giant are doing well.

google "hijackthis" and run it. also better check with coolwebshredder. it's obvious MS's product is not doing you much good, so try spybot and/or Adaware. both free, both work very well.

Post by **Foo** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:57 pm

Turn system restore off (My computer > Right click > Properties > System Restore).

Also... where is your firewall? I trust you're using Firefox or Opera as a browser?

Post by **Russianator** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 10:34 pm

Lalalala I did not say anything

Promise

Post by **4g3nt_Smith** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 10:55 pm

NO warez fuckbag.

Post by **Russianator** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 11:27 pm

????????????

Post by **Mogul** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:19 am

OK, big problems.

I've backed up all my important stuff -- now I want to reformat. However, I put the xp cd in the drive and it won't bring up an Windows install screen after reboot.

It just goes right into XP. Weird huh?

Post by **prince1000** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:41 am

did u set the drive as first boot device? and is your disc bootable?

Post by **Tormentius** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 1:06 am

+JuggerNaut+ wrote:i can see that Microsft/Giant are doing well.

google "hijackthis" and run it. also better check with coolwebshredder. it's obvious MS's product is not doing you much good, so try spybot and/or Adaware. both free, both work very well.

MS'/Giant's app doesn't catch everything but it does (iirc) catch more than Spybot and Adaware put together.

Still, using at least one other app in addition to MS' is a good idea. Also, disable System Restore as Foo said and run a scan from safemode.

Post by **Tormentius** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 1:07 am

4g3nt_Smith wrote:NO warez fuckbag.

Thanks :icon14:

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:03 am

Tormentius wrote:
+JuggerNaut+ wrote:i can see that Microsft/Giant are doing well.

google "hijackthis" and run it. also better check with coolwebshredder. it's obvious MS's product is not doing you much good, so try spybot and/or Adaware. both free, both work very well.
MS'/Giant's app doesn't catch everything but it does (iirc) catch more than Spybot and Adaware put together.

hi sexy beast.

not that i don't believe you, i just don't. if you find me proof ( i can't find any), i'll use IT instead.

Post by **Tormentius** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:11 am

+JuggerNaut+ wrote:

hi sexy beast.

not that i don't believe you, i just don't. if you find me proof ( i can't find any), i'll use IT instead.

I'll look around for the link in my chat logs tomorrow. It was quite awhile ago just before MS bought out Giant that I read a review on the major antispy vendors.

Don't get me wrong both Adaware and Spybot are great products. Personally, I run all three.

Post by **corpse** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:28 am

I googled Giant and from what I can see there is only a beta release available. Is this correct?

If not, please point me in the right direction, thanks

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 6:26 pm

yar, it's beta at this time, corpse.

Post by **Tormentius** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 8:51 pm

It appears I stand corrected. It wasn't quite double but on the test ran here its the best of the bunch.

Post by **+JuggerNaut+** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:00 am

thanks for the link. i'll direct some others to it. i've got no issues with spyware.