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Adware/Virus issues


Merriwren

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As the title states, I'm having some adware or perhaps virus problems with my desktop. I remember someone (probably WC) suggesting looking up the processes running in the task manager, and I've already done that. The only problem is that most processes came up with definitions such as "An essential part of your computer/ do not delete, blah blah blah, but could also be a (or related to a) trojan.

(These processes were:spoolsv.exe, svchost.exe, lsass.exe, services.exe, winlogon.exe, csrss.exe, smss.exe, and ccapp.exe)

Whatever is in my computer keeps opening up pop ups with the title "All the news about" or "Software affiliates". I googled that and came up with a forum where they were discussing how to solve this problem but it's a bit confusing to me and I don't want to try something like that without knowing exactly what I'm doing for fear of further messing up my computer. Below is the link to that page.

http://forums.techguy.org/security/470217-please-help-multiple-popups.html

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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Well, not sure if any of this will help or not, but here are some helpful hints.

I'm not sure what kind of virus protection you have (I prefer norton) but make sure its up to date by running the live update or something similiar. I also use Ad-Aware which you can download from here: http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html and make sure this is also up to date.

Before you start scanning, boot into safe mode. Keep pressing F8 after your computer boots and it will give you this option. Running in safe mode helps get rid of alot of unneeded processes and drivers, which makes it easier to find or eliminate viruses. You might also have to option to run a scan the next time the system boots. Do this as well.

Hope that helps at least some.

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Ad-Aware and Spybot can take care of almost all ad crap. As for anti-virus I recomend AVG which is free and can be had from Ahere along with Ad-Aware and Spybot. With those three and usage of your windows firewall and not downloading illegal stuff you should have no problem. And all those processes you listed are normal ones that should be running. If those three programs cannot fix your problems, I suggest downloading System Mechanic Pro, also from download.com which has a 30 day free trial. Run the Reg checker, and the junk file remover from that one. If all of this still does not fix your computer, take it out back and put a 12ga slug in its hard drive. :P (Or reformat and reinstall, whichever you perfer.)

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I used to have problems with virus, but then i got this and all my problems went away.

http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/

Dont use internet explorer, microsoft only makes bad softwear.

Also go to "START" bar and use run to call/open MSCONFIG.

This will alow you to have some crontrol about what windows is booting up.

I personaly hate the spollsv thing.

If you ever reformat the PC, take a snapshot of the programs running in Task bar manager, so that you know that the new ones are intruders.

Also get a firewall. There are some free ones like Zone alarm and others...

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Well, here's what I do when I find that something doesn't work on my computer:

1. Open up your computer's CPU casing.

2. Find the important parts (Motherboard, hard drives, etc.)

3. Find the most powerful magnet you can.

4. Place magnet on aforementioned important parts.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 as needed.

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I agree with WC here.

While Norton AntiVirus is a notoriously bloated resource pig, it still works pretty darn smoothly. Notice, however, that I said NAV, not Norton Systemworks. The whole package (disk tools, NAV, personal security net, firewall, et al) seems to cause more problems than it solves from my experience. McAfee's virus research always was better in my opinion, but Norton's is certainly not bad. I use Norton because that's what my system came with. My last system was McAfee and was just as satisfied with them.

Windows firewall, router with firewall, adaware SE personal, Spybot S&D 1.4, and Yahoo Toolbar with popup blocker. For safekeeping, backup once a month to an external drive. I never get popups and am totally virus free with a clean copy backed up to boot (pun intended).

Of course, I'm also not scouring the internet for porn like the rest of you scurvy dogs...

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norton is the worst AV on the planet. it fails to even delete some viruses.

mcafee at least is only a resource hog.

the two best are kaspersky and NOD32. i've used kaspersky 6 for a year while it was in beta(it just recently left beta), and it's the fastest and most stable AV i've ever used.

ditching internet explorer is also a very very good suggestion. firefox is definitely a step up, but the most secure browser is Opera, hands-down.

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About Zone alarm i do not know, never used it.

I use Sygate free firewall, the one symantec bought to kill because its extremely nice. But since its now dead, there is no way to download it from web.

But it was a very reliable firewall. I alows me to cut most XP's stupid broadcasts. Who would ever think that notepad would ever try to contact the network...

For me having Windows firewall control things i like, having the prisioneers run the prision.

It probably was to mutch for symatek to have them hoging third place on Google search for "free firewall".

Its quite humurous to see the page.

http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=SygateList&client=Symantec&sid=49998&CID=203890&CUR=840&DSP=&PGRP=0&ABCODE=&CACHE_ID=203890

Also a little trick i learned when you go surfing where you should not, disable Java and java script on firefox. It helps with many thing.

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symantec has a suit against m$ right now, seeking an injunction against the release of Vista. i've been secretly praying that m$ executes a hostile takeover of them, even tho i know it could never happen.

i always recommend that people use a hardware firewall to free up system resources. even a basic router with no fancy advertised firewall will still act as a good firewall.

and if you use notepad a lot, check out TED Notepad, you'll be glad you did.

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