Oh @#$% privacy invaded

[crashem]

I ran a spy ware detection program from the internet and it said I had a PC detective type spy software on my system. i went to the web PC detective site and they claim it is totally hidden. the web site claims it takes snap shots of what i am surfing and sends it via e-mail to some one. How can I find if I have anything on my system and deactivate it. unfornutely I forgot which site I used to scan my sytem. please help

 

[jlazzaro]

use spybot s&d + adaware for general cleanup, and hijackthis to get down and dirty...

 

[crashem]

Thanks jlazzaro I downloaded and ran a few programs found some things. However, can spybot find KEY Logger type soft ware?

 

[nweaver]

trust Spybot, it's the best (and it's free). Without knowing what online one you used, it's a tough sell....many of those are fake and just want to sell you their spyware laden "anti spyware" stuff.

I worked on a computer this weekend that had a spamfilter that would pop up adds based on web searching (and in front, not even behind). And they PAID FOR THAT CRAP. That's just wrong.

 

[crashem]

Thanks I did download and use Spybot.
Do you know if it will find Key logger type soft ware that was intentionally installed by someone that had physical access to my computer and now they may be receiving logs of my key strokes.

 

[JohnDoe2]

Originally posted by: crashem
Thanks I did download and use Spybot.
Do you know if it will find Key logger type soft ware that was intentionally installed by someone that had physical access to my computer and now they may be receiving logs of my key strokes.

It might, if it's a simple one and shows up as a regular process. Run these (free) to be sure:

http://www.microsoft.com/techn...s/RootkitRevealer.mspx
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Icesword_d5199.html

You can also install a firewall, which will likely catch the keylogger trying to phone home. You will also be able to see the IP it tried to connect to.

Comodo firewall is free and very good.

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

 

[wseyller]

I used to use a software that I put on my computer to monitor keystrokes and any activity. It is totally hidden. Does not show up in program files, task manager and I try different anti-virus scans and spyware scans and it would never detect it. The only way you could get to it was to use a complex hotkey then a password to open it. Honestly I would do a reformat to make sure you get rid of it.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: JohnDoe2

Originally posted by: crashem
Thanks I did download and use Spybot.
Do you know if it will find Key logger type soft ware that was intentionally installed by someone that had physical access to my computer and now they may be receiving logs of my key strokes.

It might, if it's a simple one and shows up as a regular process. Run these (free) to be sure:

http://www.microsoft.com/techn...s/RootkitRevealer.mspx
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Icesword_d5199.html

You can also install a firewall, which will likely catch the keylogger trying to phone home. You will also be able to see the IP it tried to connect to.

Comodo firewall is free and very good.

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

sorry, but if a keylogger is smart enough to bypass process listings, it's going to get by the warmfuzzygoodforverylittle software firewall. Software firwalls aren't good for much (imho). YOu would need an external firewall to track what is happening in this case.

 

[crashem]

-Where can I go to find out about external firewalls and I will install it.-

something else started happening, when I restart my system I get about 100 shortcuts on my desktop they are all the same one. they have a number and jpeg ext. they are related to a game I play Empire Earth. I delete them and there seems no other problems with my system however when I restart they come back.

 

[crashem]

wseyller which one did u install? If I reformat can I prevent it from being put back on my system?

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: crashem
-Where can I go to find out about external firewalls and I will install it.-

something else started happening, when I restart my system I get about 100 shortcuts on my desktop they are all the same one. they have a number and jpeg ext. they are related to a game I play Empire Earth. I delete them and there seems no other problems with my system however when I restart they come back.

an external firewall is one that does not "install" on your computer, and if you want good logging, you have to spend some money or be willing to learn about a *nix distro.

 

[xgsound]

Here's a small stand alone program to control startup items. Startup control panel at http://www.mlin.net/ It allows you to toggle them on/off, so if you turn one off and your problem goes away, now you have a handle on how to continue to get rid of it completely.

I recently found Super anti spyware at http://forums.superantispyware.com/ and found that it gets things others missed. I use it for scan only, but it has real time protection.

If you haven't already, check out the sticky recently moved to security. http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2004933&enterthread=y


Jim