Spyware and Trojans

[Valve Bounce]

Sorry to post another thread on this subject, but I have recently been inundated by spyware and trojans. I updated my Ad-Aware then ran a full scan and found a page and a half long list of spyware and trojans on my PC. This was after the weekend when I watched the Hungarian GP on my PC.

I am now quite concerned as to whether it is safe to watch anything on a webcast.

Can any computer experts give me some helpful advice on this.

I run the free version of Grisoft's AVG, and I do have a firewall. As mentioned above, I also have Lavasoftt's Ad-Aware.

[steve_spackman]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

[Valve Bounce]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

Thanks. I forgot to mention that I already have Windows Defender installed. I have also run the malicious software removal tool (updated).

[steve_spackman]

Thanks. I forgot to mention that I already have Windows Defender installed. I have also run the malicious software removal tool (updated).

http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

[Valve Bounce]

http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm

Do I run the demo or get a free trial?

[steve_spackman]

free trial which is 90 days

Avast is recommended over AVG by the tech guys on New Zealand PC World forums. I have been using the free version since uninstalling McAfee and it seems ok. I also have Ad-Aware and CCleaner downloaded via FileHippo. I also have McAfee Site Advisor which is free and I don't go on to any sites that don't have their green tick which appears next to the sites that come up when you google. 'scuse if I'm telling you stuff you already know.

Sorry, McAfee Site Advisor is white tick in green circle for ok sites.

[steve_spackman]

Avast is recommended over AVG by the tech guys on New Zealand PC World forums. I have been using the free version since uninstalling McAfee and it seems ok. I also have Ad-Aware and CCleaner downloaded via FileHippo. I also have McAfee Site Advisor which is free and I don't go on to any sites that don't have their green tick which appears next to the sites that come up when you google. 'scuse if I'm telling you stuff you already know.

Sorry, McAfee Site Advisor is white tick in green circle for ok sites.

Will look into that..cheers

[Roamy]

They give you the trojans because if you are running windows you know you are going to get F__________d

you would think after all of these years and 90% of the market and virtually all the money - they could just get some idea of security!!

[Dave B]

They give you the trojans because if you are running windows you know you are going to get F__________d

you would think after all of these years and 90% of the market and virtually all the money - they could just get some idea of security!!
Trouble is you can have all the security in the world, then a message flicks up saying to need to install x,y,z to watch a downloaded movie and bang! Not blaming Valve, but the huge majority of trojans are let in by the actions of the user.

UAC's a huge barrier but I know people who turn it off becuase the warnings are annoying, which (unless you genuinely know what you're doing) is aking to taking the oil warning bulb out of your dashboard because you're fed up with the light coming on.

[wedge]

Agreed

Only time I had problems from Firefox/Opera was because of dodgy porno's.

[rah]

I use Firefox and Spybot and I never have a problem with even the dodgiest of sites. Spybot immunizes against spyware and trojans. I also have nod32 as a back up.

[Wade91]

i've had alot of viruses on my computer this year myself and i had to remove another one yesterday, i mostly use firefox and sometimes opera and i've used a few diffront anti-viruse programs this year to try to put a stop to it: McAfee, AVG, and i'm currently useing iolo, but the viruses still find a way onto my computer :( i also have Malware Bytes installed to remove viruses

[GridGirl]

It's not good when websites get hacked. On Monday night I looked up a website relating to a rally in Scotland as I'm going in a few weeks and wondered if it was on at the same time. After initally getting to view what could only be classed as swine flu porn I eventually got transferred to the actual website I wanted.

[Daniel]

This is also good as well :)

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Microsoft-Security-Essentials.shtml

[Jag_Warrior]

Is IE8 any better/safer than previous versions? Are there things about it that anyone here hates? I have an old laptop that I'm getting ready to plug in and it has IE6.

[Daniel]

Is IE8 any better/safer than previous versions? Are there things about it that anyone here hates? I have an old laptop that I'm getting ready to plug in and it has IE6.
As a long running MS fan I have to say I'm not a huge IE8 fan. Just doesn't seem as stable as IE7.

[steve_spackman]

Is Microsoft Security Essentials any good?

[Daniel]

Is Microsoft Security Essentials any good?
Seems fine :)

[Jag_Warrior]

As a long running MS fan I have to say I'm not a huge IE8 fan. Just doesn't seem as stable as IE7.

Thanks. I'll go for IE7. YouTube popped up right away saying that their support for IE6 was ending soon.

[markabilly]

Sorry to post another thread on this subject, but I have recently been inundated by spyware and trojans. I updated my Ad-Aware then ran a full scan and found a page and a half long list of spyware and trojans on my PC. This was after the weekend when I watched the Hungarian GP on my PC.

I am now quite concerned as to whether it is safe to watch anything on a webcast.

.
Same experience as me trying to do the same thing, except the norton stuff was telling me i had stuff not only on the c drive, but on the registry and on the d-drive back up......I had to reboot back to an earlier time and do a bunch of stuff, to get rid of the d-drive stuff.....thought maybe it was just me getting the usual random crap, and did not think it was the result of my webcast vewing experience, but now i think i know why....

[schmenke]

Worth the few $'s for a subscription:

http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-products-spysweeper.html?WRSID=c217ea5ab17e51c9a114a3b5b82f b955

[Jag_Warrior]

As a long running MS fan I have to say I'm not a huge IE8 fan. Just doesn't seem as stable as IE7.

The install didn't go so well. But after we got my satellite and wireless connections back up & running, it's pretty good. I have to say, I really like that "phishing filter" feature. I don't know how well it works, but that's OK. :up:

[Wade91]

i have downloaded IE8 it seems pretty cool, i still mostly use firefox though

[steve_spackman]

Seems fine :)

Thanks for the link..It works real good..Easier to use compared to Windows One Care

[Valve Bounce]

Worth the few $'s for a subscription:

http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-products-spysweeper.html?WRSID=c217ea5ab17e51c9a114a3b5b82f b955

I had Webroot, including the CD. Then an upgrade came out and when I upgraded my Webroot, my PC ground to a halt. When I contacted Webroot, they said they couldn't fix it, so told me to uninstall it and re-install the earlier version, then upgrade to the Windows 2000 version. I had so much trouble with Webroot at the time that I installed Lavasoft's Ad-Aware instead.

[Valve Bounce]

Thanks for the link..It works real good..Easier to use compared to Windows One Care

In that case, I'll have a go at Daniel's recommendation.

[steve_spackman]

In that case, I'll have a go at Daniel's recommendation.

Yes do that, as Microsoft Security Essentials is replacing One Care anyway..Just found that out the other day

[tmx]

I use Firefox and Spybot and I never have a problem with even the dodgiest of sites. Spybot immunizes against spyware and trojans. I also have nod32 as a back up.

This is pretty much what I was going to recommend, use Spybot to immunize against spywares. I think its about time spybot have auto updating though.

As for Firefox, use the addon NoScript, it will take some understanding of this addon to begin using it though. Maybe a little pain in the arse for some people, but for me its essential, but only until Opera have an something similar, then Firefox gets uninstalled permanantly.

[Daniel]

Thanks for the link..It works real good..Easier to use compared to Windows One Care
No probs :) never used Onecare myself so I couldn't honestly say :)

[Valve Bounce]

My grandson told me his friend wrote a virus to infect his own PC, and put it out of action.

[Jag_Warrior]

My grandson told me his friend wrote a virus to infect his own PC, and put it out of action.

:dozey:

Might I suggest that you keep your grandson away from this lad? Sounds like the type of kid who'll grow up tp rob liquor stores... and forget to wear a mask.

[Valve Bounce]

:dozey:

Might I suggest that you keep your grandson away from this lad? Sounds like the type of kid who'll grow up to rob liquor stores... and forget to wear a mask.

Well, that kid did get his dad to buy him a new PC.

[SportscarBruce]

This latest variety of pighead flu has become pandemic within the motorsport electronic media. Sleep with pigs and the stuff eventually goes multi-platform. Multi-discipine too..

[Jag_Warrior]

Well, that kid did get his dad to buy him a new PC.

Hmm, in that case, he might have a future in politics... or banking.

[Valve Bounce]

Hmm, in that case, he might have a future in politics... or banking.

Definitely in Investment Banking. :p :