Spyware that wont Go Away.

[WorldPokerTour]

Hey all,

I just found out that I have some stubborn spyware on my computer, I tried all the spyware removal programs but none work.

When I go into my computer programs add/remove there are a few programs which I never installed:

Shopping Wizard
Shearch Relevancy
Search Extender

I know these are spyware when I click to remove these programs it says:

"Unable to open "http://looking-for.cc/uninstall/shoppingWizard.html"

Is there any way to get rid of these it keeps on changing my IE homepage to this garbage.

Thanks.

 

[amdskip]

Just to make sure, download the newest version of adaware and run hijackthis to see what is starting up with your computer.

Download this to forcefully uninstall: http://www.download.com/Advanc...32612.html?tag=lst-0-3

 

[Gilby]

Are those coolwebsearch programs? Did you try CoolWebShredder? Here is a link. CoolWebSearch is in it's own class of nastyness in terms of spyware. I tend to run it, Spybot S&D and Ad-Aware in that order--though I've had no problems at all since switching over to Firefox.

 

[mechBgon]

Can I suggest that you begin using a Limited account (aka a Restricted User account in Win2000) for your daily usage. A Limited account is to Windows usage what a seatbelt is to a motorist, or a properly-fitted helmet to a bicyclist. No one plans to get malware, or get in a collision, or go down on gravel. Do they now. Take some precautions. (btw, I do wear my helmet, I do wear my seatbelt, and I do use a Restricted User account whenever possible )

As far as fixing the problem, Schadenfroh is the man with the plan and you can follow his instructions in this thread and he will help you get rid of it. Follow his instructions precisely, step by step, do not rush on ahead or leave stuff out.

As far as prevention in the future, I have some more suggestions under the Ongoing prevention section here that work well if you follow them all. Antivirus, firewall, patching, Limited accounts, and of course some common sense (avoid warez, etc), and your rig will be a tough cookie, for a Windows system at least.

Another option, of course, is simply to reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows from scratch, and there are suggestions there for that phase too. Good luck, whichever way you go

 

[imported_thomash]

SpywareBlaster is also an excellent program. This program stops the download of all the s**t you find in your add/remove programs, after installing this, you rarely have to run HijackThis, CWShredder, Adaware, SpywareBlaster.

Solved my parents problem, was fixing their PC almost every week untill I installed SpywareBlaster.