Struggling with Spyware

[fustercluck]

I've had to keep active in the fight against spy/adware for a while now. I don't know how it keeps getting in my system. But, it seems like I get a lot of spyware for actively fighting it. I use Firefox 2.0.0.2, I have latest versions of spyware blaster, crapcleaner, ad-aware, and Spybot S&D. Everytime I scan it finds a new bunch of not-much-to-worry-about spy/adware. Nothing big, but it's always there, and keeps showing up. I'm having to scan and clean out the ad/spyware every 2 or 3 days. Spyware blaster used to be the solver of all problems, the first 2 or 3 months I used it I was almost spyware free. Then after a while it just stopped working, even though I kept it up to date.

So instead of having to scan and delete spyware all the time, I just want to stop it from ever entering my system. I'm computer savvy, so I shouldn't be dealing with spy/adware so often. Guess I'll have to try some other programs. Looking for advice/recommendations. Thanks.

 

[Lemon law]

Sounds like you are somewhat in my boat---but tracking cookies are almost impossible to dodge---and not much to worry about--you can play with cookie settings in Firefox---limit it to session cookies only--and in internet explorer be sure to not accept third part cookies.---and yes--even if ie is not open--its still running in the back ground. Place as many tracking cookies on a block list as you can. You could set up a hosts file---get more information at spywarewarrior forums. But my catch 22 is having too many non-tracking cookies I need to keep, so perpetually just dumping all cookies is a painful option.

You could try some commercial or freeware cookie programs---I am getting tempted to buy one, but be happy if your security set up is blocking anything worse than mere tracking cookies is one sour grapes smiley.----like email spam---its everywhere in infinite supply.

I should edit in the option to prompt before accepting any cookies--tracking or other wise,
but then a visit to almost any web site will be time consuming because that will be all you have time to do---deciding which cookies to block.

 

[Motorheader]

Have you tried the NoScript plugin for Firefox?

 

[Spacehead]

Does it seem like it's the same things showing up over & over or is it different spyware each time?
If it's the same all the time maybe your anti-spyware progs aren't removing it thoroughly?

 

[fustercluck]

Originally posted by: Spacehead
Does it seem like it's the same things showing up over & over or is it different spyware each time?
If it's the same all the time maybe your anti-spyware progs aren't removing it thoroughly?

That's what i've been thinking. Yes, it seems to be the same stuff over and over. Even though the programs say they get rid of them. Over the last couple weeks or so Ad-aware always freezes on a certain file (some windows file I think...I forget) and Spybot has been giving me errors about some .dll from the spybot directory. I originally thought it was due to my hard drive failing, which is still very possible.

 

[Lemon law]

To Spacehead,

At least in my case---the tracking cookies are getting removed--and its a small consolation to make their lives nasty, brutish, and short---with a good two way software firewall probably blocking any reports out anyway.

But unlike virus software which is active protection--most of the antispyware apps only offer passive after the fact scanning and removal--with both avg antispyware and a2--both free apps--especially strong on the tracking cookie removal area.

Its my understanding that windows defender is somewhat active---and to an extent so are both spysweeper and spyware doctor.---both those are commercial apps and I don't know how strong they are in the tracking cookie area---but windows defender seems superweak. I also have process control apps---but tracking cookies seem beneath their radar screens.

But I can't pretend to answer for the OP---who may or may not be in my boat.

But to answer the did my antispyware app remove it not question---given its a common bit of malware--you can search your cookie folders or use windows file find before and after you scan---if it was there before and gone after--ya probably got the rascal until you trip over it again.

 

[phantom404]

Might try to turn off system restore and do a scan and remove in safe mode. I found that windows flags some files as important and when they are messed with or deleted the system restore shoves them back on. I say in safe mode becasue the stuff your trying to get rid of might be running in the background and therefor cant be deleted while its running