Registry and program removal

[kuba]

After installing limewire for a friend on my computer to see how bad the damage would be in terms of spyware/adware. I tried to remove it through control panel and it wouldn't let me.
Essentially what I did was run>regedit and removed any remanants of it with they keyword "limewire". Would this be one way of doing it, if it doesn't remove itself through control panel. (as well as removing any folders through the C: directory & application data files)
It was quite the pain.

 

[daniel49]

first of all I never use these types of programs and it befuddles me why people do. Its like leaving your housekey under the mat on the front porch.
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That being said a few facts I picked up from a quick google.

one post in a mac forum:

I installed the latest LimeWire the other day, and didn't notice until just now that it also installs something called LimeShop.

I couldn't find details on it, but it's some sort of process that runs in the background, somewhat controllable through a provided prefpane, that somehow gets LimeWire money from your online purchases. It's installed and run completely without user knowledge (two associated files are silently added to your login items list).

If you have already installed LimeWire with LimeShop and want to stop LimeShop, kill the java process that should be running it. Then I suggest you get LimeWire and all associated files off your machine.

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So spyware has now migrated to macs....
also as I looked around I found instructions for installing it in fedora and ubuntu so its also available in linux.

Also I would try removing it from add/remove while in safemode not windows.
If you have run all the good anti spyware programs and are still having problems. I would give hijack this a shot. post your results here and there are many knowlegeable people that will help you to read your results.

 

[kuba]

well as i said i was comfortable in installing it and unchecked the option for limeshop (gut told me so, also the other things mentioned about it, just before the EULA made me wonder)
so im safe in that regards...but the original question still stands...is it safe to remove through regedit by removing keyworded phrases.
Daniel i never said i was having problems btw...computer is fine...just a regedit question 🙂

 

[Nothinman]

is it safe to remove through regedit by removing keyworded phrases.

Generally yes, as long as you're reasonably sure the key is relevant to what you're trying to remove. But there's nothing stopping the installer from creating keys with totally nonsensical names, so you could have missed any number of relevant keys or files if the installer is sneaky.