Viruses, Viruses, Spyware Help!

Blackadar · 08-09-2004, 07:21 AM

I've never had a virus problem before...at least none that I know of. I run a pretty clean system and only DL from sites that I know should be safe.

I installed NetZero software on my PC and the last couple of days I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle against viruses and spyware. I don't really think I'm losing, but I'm not sure I'm winning either.

I'm running Avast virus protection and it keeps finding viruses. For example, I ran a full scan yesterday afternoon and told it to get rid of a couple it found. I haven't DL'd anything since then...yet first thing this AM, up pops another one. Ran another scanner and it found a couple of others as well. Yet I haven't DL'd anything...so where are these bastards coming from?

The same thing with Spyware. I've used Adaware and Spybot for a couple of years, but now I'm just getting killed with Spyware. I've had to stop using IE and switch totally to Mozilla to avoid the pop-ups. Since I'm using NetZero high-speed dial-up, I can't use the high-speed part since it works only with IE. So I'm back to plain old dial-up speeds. I think I got most of the spyware, but I still see the occasional pop-up.

I even had crap installed to my PC that looked pretty legitimate...like I WANTED this stuff. That was easy to remove, but I never installed it.

Here's the questions:

1. Could the NetZero software itself be doing this? I would doubt it, but I've had no problems until I Dl'd their software. Now all hell has broken loose. Does anyone know anything about NetZero software and Spyware coming along with it? If it does, I'll stop using them immediately.

2. One of the things NetZero did when I installed it was to DL software automatically. For example, if I click on a DL link, I don't get a pop-up box that shows where I want to save the file, etc. It just starts DL'ing the file and the only indication is a little icon in the bottom left-hand corner of IE. I want the option to specify if and where I DL files...

How do I get IE to start giving me the option of whether I want to DL something or not? I can't seem to find it anywhere in the IE options menu. I reset my security levels and that didn't do it. I looked at the help file and can't find it there either. There's got to be some option somewhere. I'd prefer to use Mozilla, but if I keep the high-speed part of NetZero, I need IE to work properly.

I'm thinking that this is probably the culprit and I surfed somewhere that automatically took advantage of this and DL'd some crap to my 'puter.

3. Is there anything out there better than Avast/Adaware/Spybot for getting rid of crap? I'm noticing that some things keep coming around...even after their supposed removal. I won't use Norton or Symantec software - I've had major issues with both in the past screwing up my system.

4. What's a decent dial-up provider that doesn't make you install software yet doesn't cost $20/mth? I was going to use Earthlink, but $20/mth for dial-up is absurd. I need someone with a lot of options for phone numbers, because the particular calling area I'm in is very limited. If I have to pay for unlimited "metro" calling it's another $20/mth, which makes it as expensive as just getting a DSL line or cable modem.

Thanks for the help!

Fritz · 08-09-2004, 07:40 AM

Blacky - one more thing you can get for free to help get some this under control:

Go grab "CWShredder"

Alf · 08-09-2004, 07:43 AM

Linky http://www.download.com/CWShredder/3...-10301586.html

Blackadar · 08-09-2004, 07:43 AM

Thanks Fritz. I forgot to mention that I got that one already...it found nothing.

Fritz · 08-09-2004, 07:45 AM

well, then, you are fucked

FBPro · 08-09-2004, 07:49 AM

http://www.pcpitstop.com/ this might help.

Honolulu_Blue · 08-09-2004, 07:54 AM

Thanks for the links, boys. I have some spyware issues myself that I haven't been able to get rid of.

Anyone have a link to adaware or avast? I only have spybot at the moment. Need something... different/more.

markprior22 · 08-09-2004, 09:31 AM

http://www.spychecker.com/download/d...reblaster.html

This program has helped me quite a bit. It prevents listed spyware/adware from even loading on your pc. It's free and worth a shot.

Blackadar · 08-09-2004, 03:47 PM

I'm going to bump this with this specific question:

2. One of the things NetZero did when I installed it was to DL software automatically. For example, if I click on a DL link, I don't get a pop-up box that shows where I want to save the file, etc. It just starts DL'ing the file and the only indication is a little icon in the bottom left-hand corner of IE. I want the option to specify if and where I DL files...

How do I get IE to start giving me the option of whether I want to DL something or not? I can't seem to find it anywhere in the IE options menu. I reset my security levels and that didn't do it. I looked at the help file and can't find it there either. There's got to be some option somewhere..

Blackadar · 08-09-2004, 04:48 PM

And this one...

4. What's a decent dial-up provider that doesn't make you install software yet doesn't cost $20/mth? I was going to use Earthlink, but $20/mth for dial-up is absurd. I need someone with a lot of options for phone numbers, because the particular calling area I'm in is very limited. If I have to pay for unlimited "metro" calling it's another $20/mth, which makes it as expensive as just getting a DSL line or cable modem.

Mac Howard · 08-10-2004, 01:55 AM

You can stop IE from downloading files to a certain extent by customising security. In IE click on Tools, Internet Options, Security and then Custom Level. Scan down the list and you'll see you can disable or prompt (it will ask you if you want to accept something) scripts, active x controls etc including file downloads. Where it's an option I usually choose prompt and then decide how much faith I have in the site when choosing to download or not.

It can be a nuisance - you'll be amazed how often you're prompted - but I've found refusing the download doesn't do much to the content of a site. Most of the prompts seem to be for adverts.

BreizhManu · 08-10-2004, 04:14 AM

you could give pest patrol a try, the demo version doesn't remove spyware but it detects them, it also stops active spyware (those dll that often start your system).

http://www.pestpatrol.com/

08-09-2004, 07:40 AM	#2
Fritz Lethargic Hooligan Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: hello kitty found my wallet at a big tent revival and returned it with all the cash missing	Blacky - one more thing you can get for free to help get some this under control: Go grab "CWShredder" __________________ donkey, donkey, walk a little faster

08-09-2004, 07:43 AM	#3
Alf Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Rennes, France	Linky http://www.download.com/CWShredder/3...-10301586.html __________________ FOFL - GML - IHOF - FranceStats

08-09-2004, 07:45 AM	#5
Fritz Lethargic Hooligan Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: hello kitty found my wallet at a big tent revival and returned it with all the cash missing	well, then, you are fucked __________________ donkey, donkey, walk a little faster

08-09-2004, 07:49 AM	#6
FBPro College Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SE	http://www.pcpitstop.com/ this might help. __________________ GM RayCo Raiders-est. 2004-2012 Charter member of the IHOF-RayCo GM GM Tennessee Titans PFL 2011-2014 GM Tennessee Titans FOWL 2020-2025

08-10-2004, 01:55 AM	#11
Mac Howard Sick as a Parrot Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Surfers Paradise, Australia	You can stop IE from downloading files to a certain extent by customising security. In IE click on Tools, Internet Options, Security and then Custom Level. Scan down the list and you'll see you can disable or prompt (it will ask you if you want to accept something) scripts, active x controls etc including file downloads. Where it's an option I usually choose prompt and then decide how much faith I have in the site when choosing to download or not. It can be a nuisance - you'll be amazed how often you're prompted - but I've found refusing the download doesn't do much to the content of a site. Most of the prompts seem to be for adverts. __________________ Mac Howard - a Pom in Paradise Last edited by Mac Howard : 08-10-2004 at 01:56 AM.

08-09-2004, 07:43 AM	#4
Blackadar Retired Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fantasyland	Thanks Fritz. I forgot to mention that I got that one already...it found nothing.

08-09-2004, 07:54 AM	#7
Honolulu_Blue Hockey Boy Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Royal Oak, MI	Thanks for the links, boys. I have some spyware issues myself that I haven't been able to get rid of. Anyone have a link to adaware or avast? I only have spybot at the moment. Need something... different/more.

08-09-2004, 09:31 AM	#8
markprior22 High School Varsity Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: springfield, il	http://www.spychecker.com/download/d...reblaster.html This program has helped me quite a bit. It prevents listed spyware/adware from even loading on your pc. It's free and worth a shot.

08-09-2004, 03:47 PM	#9
Blackadar Retired Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fantasyland	I'm going to bump this with this specific question: 2. One of the things NetZero did when I installed it was to DL software automatically. For example, if I click on a DL link, I don't get a pop-up box that shows where I want to save the file, etc. It just starts DL'ing the file and the only indication is a little icon in the bottom left-hand corner of IE. I want the option to specify if and where I DL files... How do I get IE to start giving me the option of whether I want to DL something or not? I can't seem to find it anywhere in the IE options menu. I reset my security levels and that didn't do it. I looked at the help file and can't find it there either. There's got to be some option somewhere..

08-09-2004, 04:48 PM	#10
Blackadar Retired Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fantasyland	And this one... 4. What's a decent dial-up provider that doesn't make you install software yet doesn't cost $20/mth? I was going to use Earthlink, but $20/mth for dial-up is absurd. I need someone with a lot of options for phone numbers, because the particular calling area I'm in is very limited. If I have to pay for unlimited "metro" calling it's another $20/mth, which makes it as expensive as just getting a DSL line or cable modem.

08-10-2004, 04:14 AM	#12
BreizhManu College Benchwarmer Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Paris, France	you could give pest patrol a try, the demo version doesn't remove spyware but it detects them, it also stops active spyware (those dll that often start your system). http://www.pestpatrol.com/

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