Spyware - Windows Security - what do I trust?

[pstruck]

Windows Security Centre 'Spyware' warning messgaes are coming up all over my PC and driving me nuts. I know I can switch them off, but there must be a problem to trigger them!

The messages warn me of mallicious threats possibly caused by spyware and suggests I perform a full system scan, directing me toward a download page for 'Titan Shield'. Is this legitimate? Why when I do a full scan with Nortn Internet Security does it not detect any Spyware?

Bloody computers... I don't understand this stuff and it's giving me a headache!!!

[robinhood21]

Download Spybot - Search & Destroy at --> www.safer-networking.org it's free, and should find anything you may have lurking on your PC.
Good Luck.

[bonedaddy]

Those warnings you are seeing are just scaremongering adverts.
They're most prevalent on PORN sites, or so I'm told.

Rob

[pstruck]

bonedaddy said:

Those warnings you are seeing are just scaremongering adverts.
They're most prevalent on PORN sites, or so I'm told.

Rob

Is this true?

I do get a Norton message telling me that attempts are being made to change my home page. Is this Titan Shield genuine software, or is it something designed to cause more problems if I download it?

I am paranoid!

[GreenV8S]

Maybe this Titan Shield thing is legimate, but Google doesn't have much to say about it and I wouldn't trust it without knowing more.

There are some sorts of spyware which exist solely to pursuade you to install other infected products. I wouldn't ever follow links claiming to be from Windows to non-Microsoft sites, because you can never be sure that the message you're seeing actually did come from Windows.

Edited to add: a further search for Titan Antispyware turned up http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti- so I'm changing my mind from "not sure" to "don't touch it with a bargepole".

Edited by GreenV8S on Tuesday 6th June 20:58

[pstruck]

GreenV8S said:

There are some sorts of spyware which exist solely to pursuade you to install other infected products. I wouldn't ever follow links claiming to be from Windows to non-Microsoft sites, because you can never be sure that the message you're seeing actually did come from Windows.

This is what I am concerned about.

Will give Spybot a go.

[Saabyfox]

Download the X cleaner at www.spywareguide.com

[BliarOut]

Tis spyware

Any pop up screen that says your computer is at risk is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

[CommanderJameson]

Never use just one product, so as well as the aforementioned Spybot, get a copy of Ad-Aware.

www.lavasoft.de

[bonedaddy]

I use Spybot-Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware which both seem pretty
clean and reliable. Should sort out any spying, keylogging, adverts and
browser highjacking. They are both free downloads and can be found on
many sites if you Google for them.

Happy surfing...

Rob

[tuttle]

Also use at least 2 spyware removers- oddly enough also Spybot & Lavasoft. Oh I see a pattern emerging here
Whatever you go for, the important thing is to keep it regularly updated (at least once a week). Also do not not rely too heavily on the windows firewall. A freebie like zone alarm is much more effectiv at keeping crap off your system.

www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp;jsessionid=EFm2oFf5LsXrwNUTAD6XeISICO2T3WvqUK5d1VUjx9szU7td5hN8!-909536326!-1062696903!7551!7552!NONE?dc=12bms&ctry=GB&lang=en&lid=dbtopnav_zass

[Trooper2]

Once you get your PC clean keep it clean with SpywareBlaster:


www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html


It works great, I never get anything other than tracking cookies on my computer since I started using it.

[pstruck]

I have followed some advice and downloaded both Spybot Search & Destroy and Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. Having run scans and clean-up's using both of these the Spyware is still there (even though the activity log on each shows items found and removed).

Any suggestions as to what I try next?

[Jinx]

You'll probably need to sweep in safe mode. Reboot into safe mode and rerun the sweeps.

[BliarOut]

Google for HijackThis. Download it and restart PC in safe mode. Run a scan and remove the dodgy entries.

[Trooper2]

BliarOut said:

Google for HijackThis. Download it and restart PC in safe mode. Run a scan and remove the dodgy entries.

Not everyone will know a dodgy entry from one that you don't want to delete.

[BliarOut]

Trooper2 said:

BliarOut said:

Google for HijackThis. Download it and restart PC in safe mode. Run a scan and remove the dodgy entries.

Not everyone will know a dodgy entry from one that you don't want to delete.

But when they get exhasperated and end up posting a logfile we'll be able to spot them in an instant

[Trooper2]

That's more like it.

[roop]

I use Microsoft's own Anti-Spyware software. It's called Windows Defender and is in beta at the moment. Being MS, it integrates into the OS better than any other product I have used and works extremely well by all accounts.

[pstruck]

BliarOut said:

Trooper2 said:

Not everyone will know a dodgy entry from one that you don't want to delete.

But when they get exhasperated and end up posting a logfile we'll be able to spot them in an instant

Might be asking for your help later then!