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There are several programs you will want to get to make sure your computer is fully cleaned up.
Ad-Aware 6 is the first. It cleans up MOST problems by itself.
Spybot Search and Destroy is similar to Ad-Aware, but will often catch things that Ad-Aware doesn't. At the same time, Ad-Aware catches some things that Spybot doesn't, so you really want both.
CW Shredder is the third. It specifically targets a certain type of web page hijack called CoolWebSearch and removes the stuff. Note that while Ad-Aware and Spybot can handle SOME forms of CoolWeb infections, they can't handle them nearly as well as this tool. Note this tool doesn't target the other forms of spyware/adware, so keep that in mind.
The last is HijackThis. It is a bit more technical, and will generally show you some things that are fully legit, so you need to have some understanding of how this stuff works before you use it. As a result, most people will post a HijackThis log on this forum asking people which entries they should allow Hijackthis to remove.
Now, as a summary of what's in those FAQs, Adware/Spyware/Malware is a type of software that gets installed on computers generally accidentally, or by "free" software that you might download. This software in some cases will pop up advertisements randomly on your computer, watch what you are doing and upload that information to advertisers/spammers/ or even hackers. Spyware has been known to be used by some for identity theft even in some cases, or to steal credit card information.
These nasty types of software get into your computer, often through web sites and security holes in windows, or if you go to a web page, the page will ask your permission to install it. When you say yes, you allow the page to install this nasty stuff. Programs like Kazaa media desktop, Limewire, Weatherbug, and so on will add some adware/spyware to your computer when you install them, and once that happens, more of this stuff may get installed over time.
To combat this, a number of people began to develop tools to remove these nasty things, many without any request for money or compensation(though some people donate money anyway to help encourage the continued development of these tools).
I hope this answers most of your questions.
Ad-Aware 6 is the first. It cleans up MOST problems by itself.
Spybot Search and Destroy is similar to Ad-Aware, but will often catch things that Ad-Aware doesn't. At the same time, Ad-Aware catches some things that Spybot doesn't, so you really want both.
CW Shredder is the third. It specifically targets a certain type of web page hijack called CoolWebSearch and removes the stuff. Note that while Ad-Aware and Spybot can handle SOME forms of CoolWeb infections, they can't handle them nearly as well as this tool. Note this tool doesn't target the other forms of spyware/adware, so keep that in mind.
The last is HijackThis. It is a bit more technical, and will generally show you some things that are fully legit, so you need to have some understanding of how this stuff works before you use it. As a result, most people will post a HijackThis log on this forum asking people which entries they should allow Hijackthis to remove.
Now, as a summary of what's in those FAQs, Adware/Spyware/Malware is a type of software that gets installed on computers generally accidentally, or by "free" software that you might download. This software in some cases will pop up advertisements randomly on your computer, watch what you are doing and upload that information to advertisers/spammers/ or even hackers. Spyware has been known to be used by some for identity theft even in some cases, or to steal credit card information.
These nasty types of software get into your computer, often through web sites and security holes in windows, or if you go to a web page, the page will ask your permission to install it. When you say yes, you allow the page to install this nasty stuff. Programs like Kazaa media desktop, Limewire, Weatherbug, and so on will add some adware/spyware to your computer when you install them, and once that happens, more of this stuff may get installed over time.
To combat this, a number of people began to develop tools to remove these nasty things, many without any request for money or compensation(though some people donate money anyway to help encourage the continued development of these tools).
I hope this answers most of your questions.
Dave
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Re: thx
Are you surfing with spyware still?
Dave
Whatever?jmo said:
Are you surfing with spyware still?
Dave
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