I’m getting in a knot about the amount of scanners and spy/Malware programs I’ve tried out! :
This is a general cry for HELP !!!
My tried true and tested programs are SpyBot, Ad-Aware SE, Spywareblaster, and SpywareGuard. Also I’m using WinPatrol. Forgot to mention ZoneAlarm (free). O.S. Win98 SE, and I’m on a 350 Mhz pentium 2, 128 Mg Ram.
The reason for this post: Where will it all end ???
I seem to constantly be finding " scumware " on my machine.
One program, even the list above are not enough.
Most recently I’m getting “SPYWARE STORMER” after scanning with SpyBot search and Destroy. IT wont go away!!!
I do regular checks for Malware with HJT, and use the logFileAnalyser, and do Google searches.
Basically I would love people to give some “updated feedback” on how they keep their system’s clean, and what programs work for you?
I did a search on SPYWARESTORMER on Google, and at this Forum, and have kind of sorted out the problem , or will eventually FIX it, not a huge problem, just tedious.
I’m angry because My System crashed last night, and if it wasn’t for my knowledge of Computer systems and Safe Mode, dos. etc, I was gonna have to do a clean install of Windows. Luckily I used ,(after much mucking around, ) SCANREG/RESTORE, from Dos at startUp and was able to restore a previous registry restore.
The point is that I inadvertantly deleted a registry setting while CLEANING my system. I’m not perfect… >:( The world of the Internet shouldn’t be this difficult…
Thanks all, and any feedback, as mentioned above about recent and trustworthy good AV software, on top of what I already have, and compatible with what I have would be greatly appreciated. ;D
Cheers Evangelist’s.
does M$ antispy run on win9x os? thats about all i can suggest.
i guess with that system you cant bog it down with too many utilities.
Throw us up a HJT log and see what you got :o
The problem that I see with your system is you have to be careful what you install as your processor and ram may be below the program’s minimum specs.
This anti-spyware program has had reasonable reviews (it is not freeware however, about US$ 20), CounterSpy, check it out and see if it meets your needs. But I find AdAware, Spybot S&D, HiJackThis and SpywareBlaster/Guard, all freeware meet my requirements. They are all reasonably light on resources (I don’t use any resident/active elements of them, only on-demand scans).
Since you have most of these, you should be reasonably well covered, but you say you are still getting scumware. If you are using IE as your browser, it is more susceptible to adware/spyware than say firefox.
Spyros Hey! Thankyou Bit overwhelming wasn’t it. I was going to replace it, but I graciously accept your offering. I’ve been to your site, and you’ve got some great links. (I’ve downloaded most of them… Thanks again) DavidR
[b]CounterSpy[/b], check it out and see if it meets your needs. But I find AdAware, Spybot S&D, HiJackThis and SpywareBlaster/Guard, all freeware meet my requirements. They are all reasonably light on resources ([b]I don't use any resident/active elements of them, only on-demand scans).[/b]
[b]Yeh, I think I.E is the weak link David !!![/b]
I've got CounterSpy. They are offering a 15 day trial, but I haven't installed it as I'm checking out a program from" ASquared ". Like you say, I disable the resident/active elements & do on demand scans. Avast! is No.1 priority in the area of resident protection.
With your recommendation I'll throw "A SQUARED", and install CounterSpy & use the scanner.
I'm a Elec/Comp. Technician and like tinkering around with Utilities on this Pent.2 / Win98Se System , as a hobby, but I still find it a great tool and aren't about to let it crash , too many hours of hard work would be wasted. The family has a N.E.C. Pent4. 2.5 Ghz. XP system, but I like to test out stuff on the older system first , plus they wont let me add any more Spyware programs to it. ;)
I know XP and '98 are incompatible as far as running similar programs, but I get a fair idea of what to expect, and instal them onto the XP machine when I'm satisfied they'll "do the Job" and I know what I'm doing. Kids can be very distracting when you're setting up complex software in a hurry!
None the less, I feel there’s a lot more “scunware” around at present, and it’s quite a burden when you have to keep trying often inferior AntiVirus software, thus the request for your ideas. Cloussau !
Throw us up a HJT log and see what you got
Thanks! That would be much appreciated. I'm no expert in HJT analysis. But I'm learning. ( The hard way ! )
does M$ antispy run on win9x os? thats about all i can suggest.
Yes, when MS AntiSpy was first available it ran on '98. Not sure now .
I got some I.E.6 updates last week and scanned with Ad-Aware SE later that day , and found Alexa Data Miners . The scan stated they were installed with the IE updates. I think what I've learn't here is that Internet Explorer has to go!
You should check this out www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Cloussau I’ve attached a HJT LogFile plus ran Eddy’s Analyser and put the Result file also. I suppose I should have "pasted " them, but hopefuly you could check these out for me. Much appreciated.
If you didn’t lock your homepage with any tools remove these: (IE)
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
Extra MSIE context menu items (IE)
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cac&hed Snapshot of Page - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Si&milar Pages - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward &Links - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\GOOGLE\GOOGLETOOLBAR1.DLL/cmtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Save Image - res://C:\PROGRAM FILES\PICTURE ACE
If you didn’t add these to your trusted sites list, remove them: (IE)
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.friendfinder.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.prince.org
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.paretlogic.com
:o FarOut lee16 Thanks heaps!!! I didn’t expect such a quick reply, or so many “fixes” . I suspected that I had suspect startUp apps. , but haven’t been 100% sure.
The day has taken on a much better outlook. I’m excited… ;D
My expectations of using the Internet as a Tool are dwindling. (I’ll get over it! ) Sure, it’s fantastic when you can do what you plan to do, but I spend most My time with the quest for the Ultimate System performance . It’s probably my inquisitive nature, but I’ve really got to stop downloading and testing every Anti-Virus program I come across
Needless to say I’ve over complicated my system, again !!!
Downloaded AVG free, and disabled the resident protection, Email scanner, and auto updates. The aim is to have an on demand scanner from this program, which seems to be a cool freeby Plus of course use the manual update feature.
I don’t want to upset Avast! Home functions. The fact that I rarely find any viruses with Avast! scans, resident protection, leads me to check out other programs. Which find things Avast! hasn’t. Then there’s the problem of False Positives to deal with
I’m also running, on demand*: :-[
*A2 (asquared), *Counterspy,
… Ad-Aware SE, SpyBot s&d, SpywareGuard, Spyware Blaster & WinPatrol.
SpyBot is still coming up with SpyWareStormer
Wouldn’t it be lovely to just have a couple of programs to protect online surfing.
Please excuse the length of this post, I need to vent my spleen !!! ;D
There’s another program, AllSeeing Eye, http://www.fortego.com/ase
It’s a System profile build / mapping type tool . After heaps of popup’s and configuring It gives a warning, after an apparently tedious week or so of configuring what’s a good process etc. , if any system setting’s have been interfered with. Thus you always have a Clean “map” of your system to refer to, and I feel this approach is the way to go. Unfortunately I don’t have the sytem resources to run this … ;D :
Has anyone else used “The All Seeing Eye” ? I’m interested on any feedback from user’s here.
Thanks again to all who have assisted me over the past months, and have a Virus Free Day.
-Cheers all.
There's another program, AllSeeing Eye, http://www.fortego.com/ase
It's a System profile build / mapping type tool . After heaps of popup's and configuring It gives a warning, after an apparently tedious week or so of configuring what's a good process etc. , if any system setting's have been interfered with. Thus you always have a Clean "map" of your system to refer to, and I feel this approach is the way to go. Unfortunately I don't have the sytem resources to run this .... Grin Roll Eyes
Has anyone else used "The All Seeing Eye" ? I'm interested on any feedback from user's here.
Being a curious type I saw the link and have downloaded the programme and I’m trying it now. Give me a week and I’ll let you know.
PS It’s amazing how many programmes are running A lot more than task manager shows for sure… :o
My Spybot detect Spyware Stormer in my temp files, remove Spyware Stormer and after a few more scans, Spyware Stormer was no where in sight. I hope this Spyware Stormer won’t be like that DSO Exploit that keeps appearing every scan. Then the workers of Spybot will have to word extra time.
I am on a cable network, which is infested with virus and all kinds of attack. For the time being my system survived but not without problems and proper management.
Main defence is by Avast, Sygate firewall and AdAware.
In my opinion, you do need technical knowledge and insight to stay online these days. I am not a computer specialist, but a physicist and electronics expert. If the situation is worsening, as it does indeed, the days of internet are numbered.
Well the allseeing eye spawns a lot of warnings during the first 2 days but it has petered off now, however looking at what it does I’m not sure that I actually need it 'cos I run scriptrap, Avast webshield, ZAPro and M$anti spy. The programme monitors all starting processes, drivers, BHO’s, active X etc etc. So now I know a lot more about what is actually running on my machine. But I’ll keep it for a week or two to see if it traps anything. Will keep you posted.