What exactly is the deal with these pests? They just killed my computer 2 times straight in one day! X_X

Alright, I\'ll get to the point. Is there an awesome Spyware remover, that is freeware and will permantly remove spyware? I get the feeling my current one (Ad-adware) isn\'t doing much. It only found 4 tracking files right after I installed it. And someone still keeps hijacking my IE main page. ><;;

[Edited on 22-8-2004 by Hao]

Post redacted

Hmm. I think that a computer is doing that to all computers because that spyware got me too, but it didnt do anything to my computer. It just kept giving me warnings that there was spyware detected. I dont think that someone is looking at our computers at random for amusement...

Anyone ever have Search200, that things a BUTTHOLE!!!

I haven\'t seen that, but I did encounter search2web.com, a browser hijacker.

And thanks for the info Zupp. I never realized my Tempory Files could hold them. I never deleted them since they help me move faster in message boards.

I hate spyware. I haven\'t really had to deal with it much lately, but I\'m suspicious that my virus scanner, Norton Antivirus, hasn\'t been picking any up lately, even thought it\'s pretty up to date. The reason is my comp\'s running a little slow.

And let me just say something about Norton Antivirus and spyware: it\'s annoying. Every time it finds any, it doesn\'t delete it like it\'s supposed to! I have to go through my files and delete them manually! It\'s so annoying...

We just got Spybot Search & Destroy.. it\'s wonderful.. hasn\'t let us down, yet.. =3

I am a consistent victim of this spyware as well, even though I run Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Hijackthis twice a week.

It has created several inane icons on my desktop (which I delete, despite the fact that they come back eventually), and also installed a peculiar \'search tool-bar\' onto my IE browser; I cannot seem to remove it, using Ad-Aware, Spybot, and deleting my temporary internet files & cookies. This toolbar also brings up pop-ups often, despite the fact I\'ve a pop-up blocker.

If I neglect to run a spyware scan for an extended amount of time, search2web eventually attempts to make my homepage search2web.com, via a \'passthrough URL\' format of sorts.

I ask, how can I remove the aforementioned toolbar and prevent it from returning, and erradicate search2web from my computer entirely?
My thanks in advance.

Webroot Spysweeper makes that thing even more annoying.

It\'ll keep alerting ya, \"Your internet page has been changed\" regardless that you put a shield up to block that. >_>

I perfer the old Webroot Spysweeper, which is unfortunately upgraded to a more annoying scanner. >_>

The only option you have Zal is probably, buy a virus scanner or... the option I HATE the most... restart your computer from scratch... I had to do that 5 times now, for 2 years. I lose a LOT of precious data. Including my Bomberman Generation Boss mp3. ;O;

Well maybe UE could help you on that, I\'m not so great on computers....

Zal, chances are you have a Trojan which is making these files come back even after you\'ve deleted, so, i would go to housecall.trendmicro.com for a free scan and deletion, get a new firewall from www.zonealarms.com or www.kerio.com, and i would download an anti-virus from www.grisoft.com

...Providing you dont already have these....

If you are running Windows XP:

TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE!

That is what causes the viruses/spyware/trojans to return. Stupid Microsoft. Good idea, but bad when it revives the viruses/spyware/trojans.

Kia, don\'t forget that Windows ME also has it. Even though Millenium sucked -insert your own thought here-

And there\'s 2 good reasons for disabling that piece of trash:

a) It saves you hundreds of megs of disk space.
Reason above.

Also, remember to just take preventative measures anyway.

Use Ad-aware/Spybot, keep them updated and scan regularly, use Firefox as browser to stop most of it before it even comes in, and have Anti-Virus and Firewall programs installed, keep them updated and scan for viruses regularly. A few smart actions on your part can save you an assload of trouble.

Hey guys, what is Spyware exactly (sp?)? Is it some kind of virus?

I never knew ME had that feature. =P

Of course, ME is a piece of crap.

Zera-- Spyware is unpleasant. It clogs up your computer and basically kills it. Also the morons who created the spyware is trying to steal the information from your computer. =P

Hmm..... Those humans. I bet you all that the companies that sell antispyware are the ones causing this problem about spyware. Ha! So typical! Humans are so driven by money and greed that they cause other people harm to their computers just to get money. The best thing to do is just quit using a computer. I heard that other humans sometimes can be found with holes in their screens because humans have a short temper and a short tolerance for such things having to do with computers. Computer companies make it so difficult to do anything and makes the customer angry and they have to end up buying a new computer. Just saying, humans...

SpyWare can hit you like Mothra to Godzilla\'s heat-ray, watch out for them. I got some heavy anti-SpyWare hardware, like Pop-up Blocker, keep it on 24/7.

>_> You can get Hardware to stop spyware???

Do you mean software?

Yes, I got Pop-Up Blocker, it really helps.

I thought that at first and still think that it could be possible. But if you use Kazaa (Original) you\'d get trojaned. And trojans are horrible without proper weapons...