mini-rant: friggin spyware (again)

[DrPizza]

This time the wife installed something for UPromise... that's the only thing I can see where new.net may have come from... and the times match.

I knew that if you just delete the stuff, including the .DLL files, it'll screw up winsock...

So, I uninstalled it as per the directions of HijackThis to be on the safe side..

Everything was running just fine before uninstalling it. Now, Internet Explorer is all screwed up... I CANNOT open things in a new window... there is no back button.. My computer freezes if I click on anything that has to be opened while in IE..

Time to reformat and reinstall the primary partition. (fortunately I ghosted it, but it was months ago when I last backed it up)

Oh, and yes, I use Firefox, but my grad work requires me to use IE. I know of no workarounds for it.

Friggin spyware.

I'd go off on a major rant, but after seeing that new.net has sued Lavasoft for libel, I really don't want to speak my mind, especially the part where I wish for Osama to strike fear in our hearts by targetting the headquarters of these spyware companies.

 

[iamwiz82]

This is why no one but you is allowed admin. rights to a machine.

 

[DrPizza]

and you implement admin rights in Win98 how?

That's the only compelling reason for me to upgrade this computer to WinXP... otherwise, there isn't a reason to shell out the $$ for XP.
(and, I am NOT going to use pirated software on a daily basis)

 

[SuepaFly]

The worst thing ever is CoolWWWSearch (and no the mini-removal tool does not work). No idea how I got it, but it has like 15 steps to remove it. Good luck with yours.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
and you implement admin rights in Win98 how?

That's the only compelling reason for me to upgrade this computer to WinXP... otherwise, there isn't a reason to shell out the $$ for XP.
(and, I am NOT going to use pirated software on a daily basis)

I never assume people use 98 willingly anymore. 😛

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: DrPizza
and you implement admin rights in Win98 how?

That's the only compelling reason for me to upgrade this computer to WinXP... otherwise, there isn't a reason to shell out the $$ for XP.
(and, I am NOT going to use pirated software on a daily basis)

I never assume people use 98 willingly anymore. 😛

the 99 buskcs for XP is worth it. that or just use linux 😉

 

[TranceNation]

too bad we can't sue these companinies ourselves

 

[Toastedlightly]

you could try to reinstall IE

Dunno if it would work or not.

 

[DrPizza]

The reinstall of IE will happen after I reformat and redo the primary partition from the ghosted CD.. piece of cake, except I have to double check that I have everything saved that gets saved on the primary partition..

 

[CaptainGoodnight]

Is IE6 SP2 available for Windows 98? Just disable the ability to install ActiveX componets and what not.
SP2 is for more secure than ANY previous IE release.

 

[rh71]

talk about asking for it, I clicked an .exe without knowing what it was... I decided to click it again since the first time nothing seemed to happen and I've always liked tempting fate. Wouldn't you know it... spyware all over my machine... ISTtoolbar on IE, task manager running extra crap and all that.

I used Yahoo AntiSpy, AdAware, then Norton Antivirus and I'm now clean... took a couple hours though. Spyware aint' that bad as long as those tools are around.

 

[ragazzo]

reinstall win98 sp? shrug