Comments for Spyware: How do I remove and avoid spyware?

Comment from Beatrice Jones on 2009-07-03

2009-07-04T05:46:05Z

I am have trouble big times I have run Ad ware Spy bolt and Eusing register cleaner. My computer slow and the page of death happen often. I was looking in the register and there are lots of porn. I deleted even in safe mode with restore turn off but they come back soon as I deleted them. I did not every go to a porn site but my teenage grandson was on my computer and I expect he did. Please give me some much need advice how to remove it Thank you for any advice or help BJ

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Comment from Silki Garg on 2009-03-29

2009-03-29T14:16:22Z

Off late I am finding lot of blogs giving spyware removal information. Some of them like http://webtoolsandtips.com are nice. I do not know how far they are useful, but still they give some food for thought.

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Comment from Anne on 2009-03-08

2009-03-08T13:00:23Z

Are you familiar with TTY accessory software? It has been downloaded on my cell phone. Also, are you familiar with the type of spyware that travels from phone to phone like a computer virus?

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Comment from ignas on 2009-01-07

2009-01-07T14:05:48Z

You may also be interested in this comparison table found here: http://www.2-spyware.com/compare.php
Major anti-spyware compared by different feature.

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Comment from Al on 2008-12-30

2008-12-30T18:51:31Z

I have the same problem as J, Lori, Pieter, and Yvonne. Someone is monitoring all phone calls, in or out, mines and my wife. J, Lori, Pieter, and/or Yvonne have/has anyone found a solution to our problem.

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Comment from Stanis on 2008-11-30

2008-11-30T13:22:36Z

dear mr. leo,
a few days ago i downloaded some free software off the internet and am having problems now. there is this spyware called FreshDownload that is causing me a lot of unnecessary waste of time. every time i try to down load something it prevents it and gives me the following message: "FreshDownload could not handle this download" etc. i don't know much about computers and neither have the cash to invest in expensive software. i, therefore, fervently request you to please help me out with this matter. please tell me in detail how i can remove this from my computer. NOTE:you will have to be very specific as i am not good at computers. i hope u will treat this urgent and reply me soon. thank you.

beat regards,
Stanis Bard
30/11/2008

I do not have specific instructions for that infection. I strongly recommend you read the article you just commented on, as well as this article: Viruses: How do I keep myself safe from Viruses?

- Leo
30-Nov-2008

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Comment from Robert Moore on 2008-11-11

2008-11-11T21:23:18Z

I have seen PCs running interminably slow. After doing all the updating of software, running anti-virus software, running anti-spyware, they still run slowly.

The latest one ran fine until Internet Explorer started - then it slowed to a crawl. Running Firefox was a stop-gap solution.

Aside from doing a clean reinstallation of Windows and all the other software, what other options are there? Does this mean that spyware still exists but cannot be found?

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Comment from Helen Hamblin on 2008-11-09

2008-11-09T20:04:38Z

I have angi-spyware.
I have an ICON that shows up beside my tool bar
where the time is.
I can't make it boot & has no name shows.
IT looks like a space helmet with red beady eyes &
there's a new picture in my picture files.

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Comment from Paul Clark on 2008-09-20

2008-09-21T03:54:09Z

Hey Leo. Thanks! Spybot worked like a charm!

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Comment from J. on 2008-09-05

2008-09-05T13:51:46Z

Lori, Did you find any solution to your problem? I am going through the same situation.

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Comment from gerald wollens on 2008-08-11

2008-08-11T17:26:22Z

i tried spybot and it is not free in case you did not know yet so you can update your recommendations

Spybot Search and Destroy remains free. Get it from safer-networking.org. Here's a quote from that site: "Spybot-S&D is free" - seems pretty clear.

Occasionally other sites will try to sell you software you can get for free elsewhere. Always find and go to the source. safer-networking.org is the official home of Spybot.

-Leo

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Comment from jon on 2008-07-10

2008-07-11T04:49:35Z

I have always had good luck with webroot spysweeper but its not free. For free I like spyware terminator or Pc Tools Free Edition.

http://www.mdofpc.com

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Comment from yvonne on 2008-07-10

2008-07-10T15:23:18Z

someone has downloaded a bluetooth syware on my cell phone too. I cant find any information on how to get it off of my phone. I can hear them listening and hanging up their phone.

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Comment from Pieter on 2008-01-28

2008-01-29T06:35:53Z

Someone has downloaded spyware onto my cell phone and has been intercepting all phone calls, voice mails and text messages that I send. Is there any way to find out WHEN this was done and WHO did it?
I've asked around and nobody has ever heard of this. Please help - You're my only hope! (Yes I read the article!)type of software i can use to take this S---head of my cell phone he is invading my privacy

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Comment from lori on 2008-01-28

2008-01-28T18:18:31Z

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Comment from lori on 2008-01-28

2008-01-28T18:17:49Z

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Comment from santiago on 2007-09-25

2007-09-25T11:18:00Z

I have not used my laptop for a few week, had a new password, when i went to checked my messages all but the one from that day was not open. Am i being hacked, there is a way of finding who did it?
thank you very much is really important for me

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Comment from Garn on 2007-09-12

2007-09-13T01:51:19Z

Take a look at http://www.putertuner.com

Has a step by step process to clean off spyware and adware, and a section on speeding up your computer as well.. cool little website

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Comment from vincent on 2007-09-03

2007-09-03T14:20:34Z

If you have recurring spyware/virus problems give this procedure a go: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407
I have used it several times and it has never not fixed my problem.

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Comment from George Arauz on 2007-05-10

2007-05-10T12:04:37Z

Try using Firefox instead of I.E. Its a help as well.

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Comment from andrew on 2006-09-07

2006-09-07T19:57:46Z

I also wrote an article on removing spyware and adware @ http://www.leahey.org/2006/08/22/how-to-safely-and-thoroughly-remove-adwaremalwarespyware/

I'm not sure what your policy on spam is, if you consider this spam I'm sorry.

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Comment from Mike D. on 2006-08-22

2006-08-22T08:16:56Z

How can I detect cellphone spywear? If found can I link it to a source for possible prosecution after a investigation?

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Comment from Leo A. Notenboom on 2006-08-16

2006-08-16T15:35:43Z

No. New article on that: http://ask-leo.com/free_downloads_are_they_safer_if_i_download_directly_to_cd_or_dvd.html

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Comment from nic sye on 2006-08-15

2006-08-15T17:13:11Z

If i wanted to download a risky file from bittorrent such as a game, would my computer be safe if I downloaded it directly to a CD or DVD?

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Comment from Leon on 2006-08-14

2006-08-15T02:12:43Z

I've worked in a called centre. They say to type.
"Kill Message" and hopefully the messages will stop. Also If the problem persists and you suspect it's someone you now you may call your telecommuncations company and recieve a new phone no. for free because of the nature of the change.

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Comment from dana on 2006-07-10

2006-07-11T00:58:31Z

someone is sending text messeges to my boyfriends cell phone, from my cell phone number, that i am not sending, and i dont know who is doing this. it seems like my cell phone has been hacked, the messeges are very rude.
can you tell me how people can do this? cant hey hack my phone? could using a computer to do it?

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Comment from Chris on 2006-07-07

2006-07-07T13:35:21Z

Hi, a quick question. Spyware Doctor keeps telling me I have cool web on my pc. Worringly it tells me that these traces are in my antivirus / firewall and other antispyware apps. Of even more concern is that having removed these apps and cleaned up all registry traces of them, it then finds them in the 'replacment' apps I have installed. Not only that but none of my other anti-spyware apps including Trend Micro (with built in CWS) detects this traces. On a final note under the description of the spyware problem Spyware Doctor then displays 'toss' as the recomend action. Is it possible that Spywaredoctor itself has become corrupted and it seems unable to remove the infections and merely finds them in other applicaitons having removed those it has initilaly identified. Any help would be appreciated as I spent way too long trying to deal with this already.

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Comment from Tyler on 2006-02-18

2006-02-19T02:28:06Z

Just for the sake of telling people...
If you are actively searching for microsoft Anti-spyware and find nothing it is because microsoft made beta 2 and called it Windows Defender (Beta 2). This program has more definitions and has a cleaner layout, but lacks alot of the more advanced features in easly accessable places

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Comment from Leo on 2006-01-03

2006-01-04T06:50:54Z

Hard to say. It depends on what they are.

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Comment from eric on 2006-01-01

2006-01-02T04:02:39Z

hi leo, quick question. i have a couple different anti-spyware programs (ad-aware, spybot)..they work great and all as they clean my computer, but after i reboot, i'll run ad-aware/spybot etc and it'll find "new registry items"...is there a reason they keep coming back? what should i do? it seems like the same ones are coming back

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Comment from davey on 2005-12-24

2005-12-24T12:51:54Z

i have used all your programs adaware spybot microsfts own

they DO NOT WORK

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Comment from Leo on 2005-12-21

2005-12-22T06:13:36Z

That would be this article: http://ask-leo.com/why_does_my_system32_folder_open_when_i_log_in.html

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Comment from k allen on 2005-12-04

2005-12-04T20:35:17Z

Are there any Spyware removal programs for Apple Mac OSX

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Comment from Leo on 2005-08-22

2005-08-22T14:53:44Z

LSASS isn't broken - that message is the symptom of a virus. http://ask-leo.com/what_are_lsass_lsassexe_and_sasser_and_how_do_i_know_if_im_infected_what_do_i_do_if_i_am.html

I would try to reboot in safe mode, and run an up-to-date anti-virus check. If that doesn't work and you have the resources, you might be able to build a bootable CD with an anti-virus program on it (it's a bit of work, and will require a different, working machine with Windows) - http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ has the tools.

Outside of all that ... then yes, a reinstall "on top of" would be my next step.

Good luck!

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Comment from manoj on 2005-08-22

2005-08-22T09:38:00Z

C:\windows\system32\lsass.exe terminated unexpectedly with status code 128. Your computer will now shut down in __ seconds..."

This is the error I'm dealing .windows 2003 is installation. Is there a way I can replace that file, a hardware issue, an easier fix than a reinstall, or is a reinstall my only answer? Some people may like reinstalls, but I absolutely refuse to do that unless there is no other possible recourse. Too much is lost and too much time is needed to get the system back 'the way it was'.

I hope to perform a QuickTech memory test today, but the pc recognizes it fully - which I know does not always mean anything...hence the test.

Thank you.
manoj

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Comment from Leo on 2005-02-09

2005-02-09T16:54:12Z

All good suggestions, Chuck, thank you.

I do want to clarify, though, that not all spyware comes via the browser, and I don't want people to think that changing their browser would be a replacement for any of the steps I've outlined above. I feel strongly that everything in this article is still required, even if you do use a browser other than Internet Explorer.

For the record, I use Firefox, and my wife uses IE, and neither of us have problems. I comment more on that in this article: http://ask-leo.com/should_i_switch_to_firefox.html

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Comment from chuck on 2005-02-09

2005-02-09T12:12:46Z

I believe that one of the biggest items missed in this article is to use a different browser! Internet Explorer is an identified security risk. My suggestion is to use a different browser (Firefox, Netscape, etc.) whenever possible.

The tools listed above are definitely good, but the MS tool is still in beta. I recommend Spyware Blaster which, like the beta MS tool, provides active spyware blocking (meaning it stops spyware as its being installed (proactively) rather than removing it after it has been installed - reactively (like other tools).

HijackThis is a great tool also, but typically used for the more difficult spyware that can not be removed by the other tools listed.

Like Doctors, Computer Professionals have different solutions for the same problem. I hope that my solutions help someone out there.

Have a great day,
Chuck Smith

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