Spyware

[Johnmof]

Apologies if this has been asked before. I'm tearing my hair out with adware messages. A few weeks ago, smitfraud.c got into my PC and I had a hard time getting shot of it. Spybot and MIcrosoft Spyware couldn't remove it, and Hijackthis didn't help. Eventually, an IT colleague came down and set up a new user account. This got rid of smitfraud, but I've now got this yellow triangle coming up at regular intervals, warning me that my pc is infected with adware. Whenever I run Spybot and Microsoft Spyware it tells me my system is clear. What options do I have, other than hit it with a big hammer?

[LeMarchand]

Is this the one that kindly offers to remove the spyware on your computer for only $30?

If so, it can be a bit of a *bleep* to remove. I had to delete various registry keys for each user account (possibly in sfae mode?) and delete the picture file for the triangle as well as get rid of any system restore files.

If you're not up to that, try Lavasoft's AdAware (free) and you might have some luck.

[redmug100]

Do a google search for HIJACKTHIS and take it from there. Its a bit complicated to explain but the web sites will give you full instructions. Its got rid of everything that Norton, Mcafee, Ewido, Spybot and Adaware couldn't!

[wideboy]

Some people say that 'Noadware' can get rid of smitfraud. See here, or Google it:-

http://www.noadware.net/?hop=adremover

[marcsmojo]

Adaware SE is a great tool to get rid of unwanted nasties. Simple too. Get it free from www.download.com, and do a full scan. You'll be surprised how many 'critical objects' need removing - so just follow the simple guide (keep clicking Next!) and they'll be gone in no time.

Good luck.

[Johnmof]

Thanks for all the advice guys, but I tried Adaware last night. It identified half a dozen items that Spybot and Microsoft had missed, so I quarantined them. Ten minutes later, my little yellow triangle started flashing again. This one's trying to get me to take Spytrooper. I had a look at the web, and one of the recommended tools for removing it is Sky Sweeper. Anyone got any experience of this one?

[wideboy]

Do you mean Spy Sweeper?

These places seem to like it but you eventually have to buy it. I gave up on it.

http://www.download.com/3000-8022_4-10192729.html

http://www.snapfiles.com/get/spysweeper.html

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,994111,00.asp

[Confab]

I presume that you are running XP but if not then let me know.

A few things that you can try. First of all make sure that all you anti-spyware progs are up to date.

Disable system restore and remove all restore points. Most anti-spyware progs can�t remove entries from a restore folder as its �locked� by windows.

Check in add/remove programs to see if the nasty can just be uninstalled. It might be that simple.

Boot the PC in safe mode and re-run all your anti-spyware progs in this mode.

[Johnmof]

I think it's fixed. I downloaded the latest updates of Spybot and ran a check in safe mode. All the gremlins have gone, for the moment. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[wideboy]

Merry Christmas, Johnmof. If you get smitfraud again and Spybot only removes one of the entries, go to the registry and find a reference to free-spy-cam and delete it - it seems to have worked when I recently fixed a friend's computer.