I believe my computer has been infected with spyware. Running McAfee shows no viruses, but the internet still isn't right, and the home page doesn't load on Internet Explorer, I get some Home Search page that starts a pop up about removing spyware. Where is the best place to run an online spyware scan and maybe try and remove it? By the way, the system is Windows XP.

 

Spyware isn't a virus, it's spyware. What McAfee software do you have. I'm using their Internet Security Suite which has Virus Scan, Firewall Plus, Spamkiller, and Privacy service. It takes care of spyware for me so I don't have to be bothered. I bought mine at Wally World for like 35 bucks which is a lot less than buying it from McAfee. You might find some free spyware stuff at www.majorgeeks.com Good luck. Carl

 

Your best bet is gong to be to down load eather AdAware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/) or SpyBot (www.safer-networking.org). Install one of these, update the referance files, then run the scan. I run AdAware, but I have used SpyBot also and they are both good programs.

 

yeah, i do the same. run both! also use the immunization tool in spybot, it'll help protect your browser a bit.

 

Spybot and AdAware...IMO are the two best to have...and a firewall router if you are on Cable.

 

My nephew thinks this is a good one. And there's a free scan, but no free fixes or removals.

http://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper/?rc=1651

 

CounterSpy is better than those mentioned above.
I clean lots of machines. I used to use a cocktail of
Adware, spybot, and PestPatrol.
CounterSpy beats them all.
free for 30 days. That'll get you clean anyway...
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/product.cfm?id=410

 

I had the same problem, even though I had a Norton Firewall / ainti-virus and Adware anti-spyware programs. Suposedly Adware would clean it all up. Still had problems with so many highjackers changing my browser to their settings that it would crash my computer and make it usless. Frustrated, I bought Xoftspy anti-spyware software, it took off 600 spywares, haijackers, key loggers and cookie trackers that Adware missed, still had problem with browser hijackers and popups. Uninstalled Xoftspy and installed Spy Sweeper by Webroot. It removed still another 200 and that cleared up my browser highjacker problems. Spy Sweeper was rated best in a trial by PC magazine, $24.99 at Best Buy or online. Still had pop ups, bought Webroots Pop up Washer software, nada. However, I discovered that my internet opitions / advanced was set to "Enable third party browser extensions". I disabled that function and now I have not had a single pop up, banner ad, keylogger or browser highjacker in over two weeks. The Webroot products maintain a constant scan sweep and remove in the background. Lots of products out there, some don't work on all spyware.

 

spybot gets my vote. But, like any thing else one is good but two is better. I often get the free scans from some of the other virus co.

 

You might have a form of the Cool Web Search spyware. It is sometimes difficult to remove. The easiest way to remove it is to use cwshredder***** you can get it here http://www.softpedia.com/get/Interne...Shredder.shtml

 

There are also numerous threads on FTE already, about spyware. You might try a search and just get them all up in front of you.

 

Thanks all. Sixpack, I have the same programs you do for McAfee (Spamkiller, Privacy Service, VirusScan, Personal Firewall). However, it doesn't take care of the spyware, althoguh it says it should. I will try some of those online options, or maybe all of them to scan the computer. Thanks again everybody.

 

Go this link www.securitytango.com
Follow the instructions to the T.

Dump Internet Explorer
Download Mozilla Firefox

Dump Outlook or Outlook Express
Download Mozilla Thunderbird for Email

Do This And You Will Never Have A Spyware Problem!

I had the same problems, now I do this weekly ...no more problems.

 

Spy Sweeper has a 30 day trial that DOES remove spyware.
There is another one with a similar name (that I do not recall at the moment) that does scans but not removals unless you pay.

I have not run AdAware but do like SpyBot. Unfortunately SpyBot is not removing MANY of the newer spyware programs I have seen so a combination of utilities is always a good idea.

 

I am a big fan of freeware (and common sense) so use BOTH Spybot S&D and AdAware (Lavalys.com). If you get those from www.download.com, immediately get the updates (update search link on each program).

Also immediately, set Spybot to IMMUNIZE (left column of open program) and yes. after it scans, you have to actually click the "immunize" button.

A good scan is available...called "HiJack This"...free of course; find w/Google.

Anti-Virus a good plan and I recommend the German stuff...free for home use and uses a lot less resources than, say Norton. Go here: www.free-av.com (It was featured, along w/3 others. in a PC World article last January (04))

Firewalls are good also and even though WinXP has one, both ZoneAlarm (zonelabs) and Sygate (Sygate personal firewall) offer versions that according to many are superior. You can check yours for free at Steve Gibson's site: www.grc.com Run the full port scan w/his "shields Up" program (also free)

IF you have an older OS, try to find a free download of older ZoneAlarm...I found Version 2.6.362 on Voodoo files...they has it on their server. You cannot get this one at ZoneLabs. Good through Win2K and early XP.

Finally, for other cleanup...use Google to find a download of CCleaner V 1.16
It's free and small...works like crazy. I suggest that you open the program and UNCHECK the box by "cookies" or it will remove all of them. Use AdAware and Spybot to get rid of nasty ones. I just use the desktop shortcut...so unchecked the other options during install. I also just left it at default...maybe later I will check out the special tools section.

Test your PC for FREE at www.PCpitstop.com sponsored by CompUSA

All tests and software mentioned in this post are free or freeware...no spys, no nags, FREE

Free is good