Author Topic: Spyware  (Read 5809 times)

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Offline Jim

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Spyware
« on: Aug 14, 2007, 10:08:02 PM »
Like it or not, we have to deal with spyware.  I've found that you need to attack this one from several fronts.  Yep, I learned the hard way.  I had great virus protection and thought I was protected.  One day everything just slowed down.  Everything I did, seemed to be taking longer and longer.  I did a search in Google for something and an additional screen popped up saying "were you looking for this" and it would have a couple of links that I had been searching for but it wasn't Google, it was something called "Cool WWW Search".  I did some more checking and found out this was one of the worst spyware hits you could have.

It took me several calls to a number of friends and countless hours of searching to find out how to get rid of this spyware.  Once it was done I had learned about several other programs that you need to run in order to keep the spyware off your computer.  Here are the ones I use:

Spyware Blaster is a FREE program that you can use to help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without interfering with the "good side" of the web.  It doesn't clean spyware off your system, instead it helps to prevent it from getting on your system.

Another FREE program called Spybot -Search & Destroy (S&D) is really good at removing spyware.  I run this one about once every two weeks.

The last one I use is AD-Aware. This is another FREE program.  Use it after running Spybot-S&D and you should be in pretty good shape.

Be sure and check for updates if the software doesn't do it automatically when you start it.

Both Dianna and I use these programs quite regularly and so far we have not had any further major problems with spyware.  


« Last Edit: Feb 06, 2010, 12:26:19 PM by Dianna »
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Offline jv

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #1 on: Aug 16, 2007, 11:48:47 PM »
Downlaoded and cleaned up files

Offline Wrennie

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #2 on: Aug 18, 2007, 01:29:36 PM »
I have adaware and spybot. I use them every so often. Also delete all my cookies, temp files and browsing history. Speeds things right up.

If you have programs that were factory installed that you never use, zapping them will spedup your loads etc too.



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Offline Jim

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #3 on: Apr 10, 2008, 02:15:56 PM »
I've added a new FREE spyware program to the arsenal of protection that I use.  It's the AVG Anti-Spyware program.  It works very much like the AVG Anti-Virus program and appears to be another great program from Grisoft. When dealing with the Internet, you can never have enough protection.

EDIT:  This program is no longer available. 5/5/08
« Last Edit: Feb 06, 2010, 12:27:34 PM by Dianna »
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Offline SwampPeople

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #4 on: May 20, 2012, 04:30:29 PM »
We need to get out of the swamp more often. We have learned sooo much about computers, from Jim & Dianna.  :Glee:  They are the Coolest of People. Thanks You Two, for being Real Friends!

Offline bestofour

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #5 on: Nov 06, 2012, 12:36:07 PM »
Is Malware the same thing?  I have Malwarebytes on my computer which I ran yesterday.  It showed 25 PUP.Blabbers and said to "check to make sure they are dangerous......" or something like that.  I called my brother in law who said it was ok to delete them.  He talks too much computer for me though and I still don't know HOW to know if they are dangerous or not.

Offline Jim

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #6 on: Nov 06, 2012, 01:38:32 PM »
Malwarebytes is a free program that is really good at getting rid of the malware that you sometimes get by visiting web sites.  Most of the time you will want to delete those PUPs (Potentially Undesirable Program).
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Offline bestofour

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #7 on: Nov 06, 2012, 01:40:08 PM »
Do I need a spyware program too?

Offline Jim

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #8 on: Nov 06, 2012, 01:44:01 PM »
I use this one all the time.  Have used it for years:

Quote
Spyware Blaster is a FREE program that you can use to help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without interfering with the "good side" of the web.  It doesn't clean spyware off your system, instead it helps to prevent it from getting on your system.

There is a link in the first post of this topic.
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Offline bayou girl

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #9 on: Aug 17, 2014, 03:56:38 PM »
jim, do any of them block "pastaleads" ?  it is a program that creates hyperlinks on your "home page" in whatever browser you are using.  it takes you to 2 different sites if you right click on any links on your home page, one opening in a new tab and the other in a new window.  deleting it got rid of it (i think, going to run all the programs) but it was annoying as heck.  i didn't let it get the windows open, so the websites did not download, but it about drove me nuts until i found it.  especially since HERE is my home page, and i KNEW you didn't have that kind of thing here, it had to come from something outside.  by the way, it wasn't happening on my netbook, phone, or tablet, so i knew it was on the computer and not this site.

by the way, i didn't find pasta leads with malware bytes, i actually just deleted it via the control panel.  i know what is "supposed" to be on here, and since it wasn't, off it went.
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Offline Jim

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #10 on: Aug 18, 2014, 10:07:35 AM »
I've not heard of any that block that particular one but this website is really good with information on how to remove these things.  Looks like you may have already got it cleaned but just in case you need it, here is a good bit of information:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-pastaleads-and-pastaquotes
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Offline bayou girl

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Re: Spyware
« Reply #11 on: Aug 18, 2014, 11:00:25 AM »
thanks jim.  i think i got it.  i ran all of the usual programs after i removed it, and then came here and got spy bot, ad aware, and spy blaster (or whatever that was). i ran ccleaner, and defragged the computer as well.  so it seems to be gone.  that was the strangest "bug" though!
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