Two months ago, I had never had any problems with spyware doing anything to my system. Then IE started getting hijacked, its homepage rewritten, and occasionally, something would open up the "My Documents" folder. Luckily, I'm on dialup so I was able to stop whatever it was from happening before it happened. I have always kept up with the Windows updates, and I now have both Ad Aware and Spybot on my system, as well as Earthlink's own blocker. And it hasn't made any difference! IE is still getting hijacked, and it just irritates the hell out of me. Last week, I downloaded Mozilla. I can't use Earthlink Accelerator anymore, but I'll take the slow connection over the irritation of spyware.
B.J.
Posted by deadcujo (Member # 13) on :
Welcome to the dark side. Does that accelerator crap really make much of a difference? I don't use dialup, so I wouldn't need it; but I've always wondered if its users liked it, or cared about diminished image quality and such.
Posted by Futurama Guy (Member # 968) on :
I've always managed with the Network-->My Connection-->Properties-->Advanced-->Internet Connection Firewall checked, no virus scanner or anything else. I cannot say I have ever had a virus or anyone attempt to take over my computer in 6 years.
There is also a way to go into "regedit" and get rid of some otherwise unseen 'hack' programs. But that requires a bit more explaination that I can muster up.
I also suggest maybe trying some of the resources over at PCPitstop.com
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
Yes, accelerator helped most of the time. Occasionally it would cause a minor error, but it was acceptable. If I wanted full resolution of a picture, you just right click and tell it so.
I also have the firewall checked, so I don't know what happened. The spyware scanners also check and fix the registry.
B.J.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
Firewalls can't and won't prevent spyware from piggybacking onto your system (and relying on XP's built-in one as your only means of protection is like having wild sex with a punctured condom) when you install a program that is itself accompanied by it or download a browser plugin like Gator or hang around on a shoddy P2P network or...
What's IE getting hijacked BY, anyway? And what's its homepage being rewritten TO?
Posted by Topher (Member # 71) on :
I used a dialup accelerator for a bit and I hated it. I go to too many high image content websites for it to be anything more than a nuisance.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Have you been to any porn sites?
Or rather, has a "friend" of your got hold of your computer and gone to some porn sites (or warez sites), without your knowledge?
Posted by Futurama Guy (Member # 968) on :
quote:Originally posted by Cartman: Firewalls can't and won't prevent spyware from piggybacking onto your system (and relying on XP's built-in one as your only means of protection is like having wild sex with a punctured condom) when you install a program that is itself accompanied by it or download a browser plugin like Gator or hang around on a shoddy P2P network or...
Well I've had XP since it first came out (~Dec 01)and never owned any anti-virus software and I'm still clean, so I'm either lucky or uninteresting or sterile...
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I suspect all three.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
Try Spysweeper, it works pretty good. And if you're still fed up, try switching to another browser. I just started using Mozilla Firefox. And I've had no problems @ all.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
quote:Originally posted by Futurama Guy: Well I've had XP since it first came out (~Dec 01)and never owned any anti-virus software and I'm still clean, so I'm either lucky or uninteresting or sterile...
Or it means that you aren't the sort of idiot who thinks "Hmm, an email from someone I don't recognise, promising me naked pictures if I open that suspicially named file? Damn, I'm there!"
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
quote:Originally posted by Da_bang80: Try Spysweeper, it works pretty good. And if you're still fed up, try switching to another browser. I just started using Mozilla Firefox. And I've had no problems @ all.
Yes, Spysweeper is good! I had been using adaware for like 6 months and then i used Spysweeper and it picked up like - i kid you not - 700 EXTRA 'suspicious' items that Adaware didn't pick up!
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
Only problem i had with spy sweeper, were that some of the adware/spyware files came back 2 m,inutes later, had to find another file that always re-created them. also, it sometimes begins running when you leave it on, and start a game. so turn it off id you don't want bad preformance.
I also found a little program called cwshredder. It deletes the Cool Web Search browser hijacker, and all it's forms, because CWS is one of the most prolific and hardest to delete, cuz there's so many variants. I don't remember where i found it tho, but it works.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"Yes, Spysweeper is good! I had been using adaware for like 6 months and then i used Spysweeper and it picked up like - i kid you not - 700 EXTRA 'suspicious' items that Adaware didn't pick up!"
Are you sure the things it was finding were actually problems? I mean, Ad-Aware often turns up a long list of results, but that's because it catches most of IE's cookies, which probably aren't really causing any problems.
I mean, how can you end up with 700 bits of ad- and spyware plus whatever Ad-Aware had already found? I mean, I maintain public-access Internet computers at a library, and Ad-Aware and Spybot combined don't find that much crap. And, trust me, these things end up with plenty of ad- and spyware on them. Clean them up, and, within hours, they'll already be performing like shit again because of all the junk that's found its way onto them.
Posted by Captain Boh (Member # 1282) on :
I just ran Spysweeper and it found cdilla, which is required to run some of my software. It might be finding other things like that
Posted by Toadkiller (Member # 425) on :
I would second the idea of trying some non-MS software starting with the browser. Mozilla has good stuff - I used to like Opera but haven't tried it since I switched to Mac.
Outlook replacements are also available as are alternative OS's.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Annoying and pointless suggestions, numbers one and two.
One: Switch to using a Mac. Two: Switch to using Linux.
Suggesting that someone who has trouble using Windows switches to Linux is like telling a struggling bicycle rider to try practising on an F-16.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
I wouldn't go that far.
A big advantage of Linux is that you really can do everyday things without having to know the root password.(i.e. access to the Windows Administrator account) So for people like well....parents who only need to do websurfing, movie-watching, and the occasional work processing; I'm seriously considering setting up a Fedora box for them.
Especially since Mozilla is virtually identical between Linux/Windows and the Gnome windows manager is getting real damn simple to use.
Lets face it, for those of us that are forced to clean up ad-ware/viruses and setup up PCs for parents anyways, I think its worth the inital time investment. Its not like they'll be playing 3D games anytime soon anyways.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Hey, wait a minute... someone's advocating a switch to Mac and it's not me? What just happened here? Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Linux can be a real bitch. I personally don't really like it that much, to be honest (and I'm a CS student, for cod's sake!). There's very little consistency between programs, and it tends to take quite a lot of time to get something to work properly. The last time I installed Linux (Mandrake 9.x), I couldn't get my refresh rate anything above 60 Hz, and it took two days to figure out how the hell I could set up my network. You should really only use Linux if a) you really like it and b) you have a lot of time.
I have no experience with a Mac.
But a few tips on running a clean Windows XP: - I've shut down all the graphical crap that is turned on by default. Say bye-bye to the Teletubbies skin, and all those nice shifting and fading menus. - Shut down System Repair and Auto-Update. The first one eats up your disk space, the second one is just really annoying. Also shut down the Error Reporting thing. - Get firewall (I have Sygate Personal), anti-virus (I have AVG) and spyware removal software (Ad-Aware or whatever). - Get Firefox or Mozilla (or Opera). Really do. 99.99% of spyware crap is written for IE, and takes advantage of IEs many security leaks. And you really have to love tabbed browsing.
If you have Firefox/Mozilla, you can download all sorts of adblocking extensions. You are fully prepared to venture into the darkest depths of the internet. Even filthy filthy porn and warez!
Oh, and NO KAZAA. Or Gamespy. Or any of those suspiciously 'free' commercial products.
Posted by Captain Boh (Member # 1282) on :
You can turn off the error reporting thing!?
Posted by Ergi (Member # 1301) on :
quote:Originally posted by Captain Boh: You can turn off the error reporting thing!?
The question is: Do you want to turn it off? Posted by Harry (Member # 265) on :
Properties of My Computer - Advanced. There's a button on there that leads to the Error Reporting options. Also, under the Startup options on that same panel, you can disable the automatic reboot, and bring back the BSOD.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
quote:Originally posted by Harry: But a few tips on running a clean Windows XP: - I've shut down all the graphical crap that is turned on by default. Say bye-bye to the Teletubbies skin, and all those nice shifting and fading menus. - Shut down System Repair and Auto-Update. The first one eats up your disk space, the second one is just really annoying. Also shut down the Error Reporting thing.
Step 1 makes no difference at all to stability. The more fancy looking, er, look does use a bit more memory and resources, but providing your computer is at least a gig, it won't make much difference. Are you really that desperate for a couple of less miliseconds response times?
And as for 2, shutting off System Restore because it takes up disk space is equally daft. Disk space is about a pound a gigabyte. You can easily afford to lose a handful of them, for something that really could save your bacon one day.
Auto-update, you can take or leave, really. Depends on whether you have a broadband connection, and can be bothered wandering along to the Windows web-site to update it yourself. It does use resources, but the more powerful your computer is, the less relevent that becomes.
If you do want to use IE, then download the google toolbar from, er, google. Because there's no reason not to, really. And it's handy and blocks pop-ups.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mucus: I wouldn't go that far.
A big advantage of Linux is that you really can do everyday things without having to know the root password.(i.e. access to the Windows Administrator account) So for people like well....parents who only need to do websurfing, movie-watching, and the occasional work processing; I'm seriously considering setting up a Fedora box for them.
Er, what? I can mess around with my Windows installation all I want without knowing the root password, because I never set one up.
Or do you mean that your parents can much about on it without having to know the password? Isn't that bad? Or do you mean...no, actually, I've no clue what you mean.
[ June 17, 2004, 01:38 PM: Message edited by: PsyLiam ]
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"Muck".
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Shows you.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Still, "muck".
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
I found the address for the CWShredder program. As far as I know it's the only program that will effectively remove Cool Web Search
Hope this helps @ least some of you poor spyware infested souls... Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Shut down System Repair and Auto-Update
DO NOT SHUT DOWN AUTO-UPDATE. Those updates you get are actually good for things like protecting you from worms and thus not crippling any network you're on should someone else get one.
Are you really that desperate for a couple of less miliseconds response times?
Given that my computer has way more resources than it should need to run XP stably, and STILL takes a few seconds to pull up menus sometimes... yes.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
PsyLiam: In Windows, its pretty much standard operating procedure to give everyone who uses the computer an account in the "Administrator" group. That way anyone can install spyware, run odd programs, etc. By default, the account you login to probably has local Administrator powers.
In Linux (or Unix for that matter), even if you're the person "in charge" the standard operating procedure is to login as a user. However, the idea is you should have to explicitly enter the root password in order to do anything that can potentially muck up the computer. Furthermore, you should never login to a Unix machine as root unless you're setting up the computer for the first time or if its a dire emergency.
Its just a different design philosophy and one that happens to be really nice in terms of security.
Now, Windows does theoretically does allow the use of non-Administrator accounts, but its not as secure and its certainly not as usable because you have to relogon to an Administrator account everytime you want to do something important.
*breathe*
More clear?
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"DO NOT SHUT DOWN AUTO-UPDATE. Those updates you get are actually good for things like protecting you from worms and thus not crippling any network you're on should someone else get one."
Erm... You do know that you can run Windows Update manually, don't you?
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
True. But lot's of people don't, judging by how widespread the MS Blaster worm was last year. It's the sort of thing that I'm glad MS has left on my default. Those who want to go there manually can, while the masses just get on with using their computer without having to worry about it.
quote:Originally posted by Mucus: Now, Windows does theoretically does allow the use of non-Administrator accounts, but its not as secure and its certainly not as usable because you have to relogon to an Administrator account everytime you want to do something important.
Nope, still not seeing the difference. If you're in a non-Admin account in Windows and want to do Admin stuff, you have to re-login as an admin. To do important stuff in Linux, you have to enter in the Very Important Password.
Considering that it takes roughly 5 seconds to log off or switch users using XP, I fail to see how it's so much more amazingly great to do it the Linux way as oppossed to creating an admin account for yourself, passwording it, and making everyone else use a User account.
I can't see how the Linux one is more secure, because in both cases, you have to know the admin password to mess things up. Unless the person hasn't set one up on their Windows installation. But it strikes me as being the sort of situation where people who need them will set them up, and people who won't...won't. I certainly wouldn't want to have to enter a password everytime I want to do something on my machine, since I'm the only one that uses it.
The only reason why the Linux one seems to be "more secure" is that people who use Linux are going to be the sort of people who would set up passwords in the first place.
Does that mean you have to enter a password in Linux everytime a web-site wants to put a cookie on your computer, or you want to change the resolution, or stuff like that?
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
quote:Originally posted by PsyLiam: Nope, still not seeing the difference. If you're in a non-Admin account in Windows and want to do Admin stuff, you have to re-login as an admin. To do important stuff in Linux, you have to enter in the Very Important Password.
Considering that it takes roughly 5 seconds to log off or switch users using XP, I fail to see how it's so much more amazingly great to do it the Linux way as oppossed to creating an admin account for yourself, passwording it, and making everyone else use a User account.
5 seconds is a big exaggeration, especially when people have older machines. Plus its a big pain in the ass. You have to close all your programs, interupt your work, even turn off Winamp. Plus its switching a profile twice.
In reality, I'm running a dual-boot machine. I usually login to Linux in a non-root account, I login to Windows in the Administrator account. There's a reason why.
quote: But it strikes me as being the sort of situation where people who need them will set them up, and people who won't...won't. I certainly wouldn't want to have to enter a password everytime I want to do something on my machine, since I'm the only one that uses it.
*shrug* I did note specificially that the idea had more appeal when setting up computers for other people who muck up computers a lot. (i.e. parents, siblings)
quote: Does that mean you have to enter a password in Linux everytime a web-site wants to put a cookie on your computer, or you want to change the resolution, or stuff like that?
Uh no, web browser != OS.
Resolution is profile-dependent, which is probably the case in Windows as well.
Off the top of my head a few examples would be installing software for everyone on the computer (as opposed to just your own profile), upgrading the kernel, and well messing around with other people's profiles.
PS: I just noticed, did you say that you were running a Windows install with *no* Administrator password at all?
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Yes. Why?
quote:You have to close all your programs, interupt your work, even turn off Winamp. Plus its switching a profile twice.
Well, not if you use "switch user" rather than "log off". Which requires a bit of memory, but who doesn't have ridiculous amounts of memory nowadays?
And if someone else is going to use the computer, surely you'd have to turn off winamp and interupt your work anyway?
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