Best hijack/malware removal help site?

[Displaced Flames fan]

My PC has once again been hijacked by the old spyware removal program scam. Thanks Norton. Anyone know the best site to get non-condescending and free help to remove this crap? I've removed it several times of course but it keeps reinstalling itself.

It's even taken over my wallpaper.

Evil s.:mad:

[Flame On]

I've used:
Spybot S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html)
Hijack This (http://www.download.com/3000-8022_4-10781312.html)
I have an older version of Spysweeper (from Webroot.com) that is free. The current version is an online sweep only. It's an executable file so pm me if you want me to email it to you.

[Traditional_Ale]

Dood.

Format the computer.

Install the free version of AVG Anti-Virus and SpyBot Search and Destroy (both available at download.com) and quit looking at porn. ;)

[Displaced Flames fan]

Dood.

Format the computer.

Install the free version of AVG Anti-Virus and SpyBot Search and Destroy (both available at download.com) and quit looking at porn. ;)

Format the computer is greek to me.:bag:

Actually, I'm convinced its happening from something my 12 year old is doing. Runescape of some other kiddie role playing game.

[Traditional_Ale]

Does he have his own computer? I could sell you a computer for a two hundred and fifty that would run runescape like a gem and you would never have to deal with it again. I built it at work myself from the ground up and its a very solid single-core system. I'll even get some wireless into it if you like so you don't have to run cable around the house for junior to have internet access (provided of course you have a wireless router, and if not, sixty dollars. PM me if you're interested.

[Azure]

Quit using Norton. :D

[alltherage]

porn/games/limewire will kick your computer's ass every time. It's only ever a matter of time.

I use AVG and it's way better than Norton IMO.

[photon]

Spyware Terminator is another good one.

[Azure]

AVG was giving away free subscriptions to their professional version around Christmas time.

I don't know if they're still doing it though.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Always been a fan of Avast! as a virus scanner and use Adaware as the spyware removal tool. Never had any problems and I have been to some questionable sitess.

[Nufy]

AVG
Zone Alarm
Ad Aware

[llama64]

As has already been said:

AVG: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff
Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
FireFox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

I recommend Peer Guardian (http://phoenixlabs.org/pg2/). It actively blocks communication with a routinely updated list. Alternatively, checkout http://www.opendns.com/ You replace your DNS servers with theirs which block communication with known malicious websites. Plus, if you sign up for an account, it can provide network filtering outside of programs like NetNanny.

You shouldn't need an extra firewall program like ZoneAlarm unless you want more control over your ports on your PC. Just ensure the Windows Firewall is turned on and if you have cable internet, put a hardware firewall in-between the modem and any PC connected to it.

[Bobblehead]

I am also a proponent of Avast, but AVG is good, too. Anything but that Norton POS.

Be careful of Zone Alarm. It has gotten a dirty name for corrupting the IP stack. The built in Windows Firewall is fine.

[llama64]

Quit using Norton. :D

Norton and McAfee are essentially gigantic pieces of :poo:. They do more harm to a PC then good.

I'm not being an elitist nerd either. I seriously recommend reformatting any PC that has had the Norton/McAfee taint on it.

[mykalberta]

I use AVG, I also just purchased a 3 license for Kapersky ISv7.

I have used Kaspersky before and its the best of the commercial software out there IMO - its only 15$ for 3 licenses until tomorrow at RamLover

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10094822&catid=10680

[Bobblehead]

I use AVG, I also just purchased a 3 license for Kapersky ISv7.

I have used Kaspersky before and its the best of the commercial software out there IMO - its only 15$ for 3 licenses until tomorrow at RamLover

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10094822&catid=10680

I wanted to use it but a few years ago it conflicted with the video drivers for my X800 Pro. (and did you read how, for a couple hours last week, they were identifying Explorer.exe as a virus). But I have read many good things about it. NOD32 is supposed to be really good, as well.

[prarieboy]

I use

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Works pretty good

[Azure]

Norton and McAfee are essentially gigantic pieces of :poo:. They do more harm to a PC then good.

I'm not being an elitist nerd either. I seriously recommend reformatting any PC that has had the Norton/McAfee taint on it.

I agree.

Used McAfee for a few years; complete waste of money.

Randomly, twice a day it would completely lock up my computer and scan everything. Would have been nice if the idiots who designed the crap would have let me pre-select a scanning time.

But, NO.

Plus, if your internet went down, so did your computer.

:bag:

[Buff]

I use

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Works pretty good

It does a good job, but it doesn't protect you in real time. It only cleans up the infections. You should have something installed that runs real time scanes to prevent from getting the infection in the first place. Also one should remember that not one product is going to catch 100% of the infections.

[Buff]

I agree.

Used McAfee for a few years; complete waste of money.

Randomly, twice a day it would completely lock up my computer and scan everything. Would have been nice if the idiots who designed the crap would have let me pre-select a scanning time.

But, NO.

Plus, if your internet went down, so did your computer.

:bag:

I haven't heard of anybody having a success story with McAfee. I'm wondering how they are even staying afloat.

[Buff]

As has already been said:

AVG: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/downloads-products/us/frt/0?prd=aff
Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
FireFox: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

I recommend Peer Guardian (http://phoenixlabs.org/pg2/). It actively blocks communication with a routinely updated list. Alternatively, checkout http://www.opendns.com/ You replace your DNS servers with theirs which block communication with known malicious websites. Plus, if you sign up for an account, it can provide network filtering outside of programs like NetNanny.

You shouldn't need an extra firewall program like ZoneAlarm unless you want more control over your ports on your PC. Just ensure the Windows Firewall is turned on and if you have cable internet, put a hardware firewall in-between the modem and any PC connected to it.

I used to be a huge mark for Ad-aware but it isn't as good as it once was. I think SpyBot has surpassed it.

In my environment where I work we don't bother with spyware tools. We run anti-virus but thats it(and even contemplated not using antivirus on a certain sector of our computers).

If we have a problem then we'll re-stage the computer. Much easier than running scans and cleaning infections. We also have a sector of PCs that have DeepFreeze installed on them. Something going haywire? Reboot the PC... even easier than re-staging.

[Hack&Lube]

Forget the big name programs and their fancy interfaces, etc. Just run combofix, a good old command prompt program that many IT professionals and networking security guys use to take care of spyware/malware in one go. It is simply the best I have seen for dealing with the most serious problems.

http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55039

If you aren't comfortable with that, then Spybot S&D is probably the best out there. Make sure you update, the tea-timer is a good system protection if you don't mind the registry warnings, after you clean your system make sure to immunize. If there are any items that fail to be fixed, look them up and get rid of them manually.
http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

I would recommend you run both.