Lots of spyware/threats

[manofpeace]

Well I logged on this evening expecting some good action. I opened up my Internet Explorer (Yeah, lame) and went to my preferred entertainment sight, and a pop-up pops up saying I need DirectX Control or something. I click it, because it comes up on almost all the good games on websites.

 

Then, about 10 seconds in, a sh*tload of anti-virus and security center things come up saying my computer is in danger, it's infected, etc. I click one of them, it scan, but it won't erase the crap until I'm registered, and it costs. So I say, "f*ck that!" and exit out.

 

Now I have a baloon that pops up every couple minutes telling me about my in danger computer. I'm downlaoding Firefox now, hoping it will go away. And there's this annoying toolbar on top of my browser showing my Security Level, and options to get rid of pop-ups, etc. How do I get rid of it? It's stuck there.

 

I have McAffee for default Anti-Virus, a fairly new Gateway 831GM Media Center PC with 250 GB harddrive, XP.

 

Am I screwed? Or is Firefox all I need?

 

EDIT: Using Firefox now, I feel better all of a sudden. But still...

Edited September 22, 2007 by manofpeace

[TheRoper]

Not a fan of McAfee, or Norton for that matter. In general I'd recommend uninstalling it and using AVG instead.

 

For your particular problem, I say boot in Safe Mode (press F8 a few times at some point before the Windows logo when your computer's booting up), run a full-system virus scan, then run Ad-Aware and then CCleaner. And yeah, using IE was your first mistake.

[lesfleanut]

These are funny... sh*tty antivirus companies create these viruses that pop up and alert you that you have viruses. No sh*t, it is the virus. They're usually very good at being undectectable by most popular antivirus programs. They will, however, advertise their own sh*tty virus program which will, for a fee, remove the virus.

 

Here are your options:

 

Cave in and waste the money on antivirus software that won't be effective at all against anything besides what you have now.

 

 

Search google and find out exactly which one you have contracted and follow the complicated hand removal instructions.

 

 

Backup all the stuff you want to save, and format your hard drive/reinstall windows.

 

 

BTW: Just because all of the neat flashing objects on the web require active x controls, doesn't mean you should download them - ever. Oh, and switch to firefox.

 

 

What site were you at anyways, some skeezy ass porn site?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SWEETSAPRIK]

Meh, I used to have McAfee, and I'd say it's one of the best at removing problems once you've got them. I wouldn't get rid of it if you've gotten it (and updates) for free (like if it came with your PC, or if your ISP offered it.) I might replace it if I was BUYING a better software, but not for a free one. That said, it's bloated, and I wouldn't pay for it. (Don't get me started on norton.) AVG comes up kinda short in some tests (last two links on page), but it's free, and I use it.

 

Now it does sound like you wouldn't have had this problem if you used Firefox (and possible Noscript/adblock/etc.), but that doesn't do you much good to get rid of it.

 

I'd run Ad aware, Hijackthis (original site, or from trend micro), as well as Spybot, in addition to whatever A\V program you use.

 

I'm betting this "toolbar" would show up as a BHO in hijackthis. One thing, don't go removing things unless you're 100% sure you don't need them.

 

If you're planning on buying or getting a new A/V, I'd suggest finding some sites that list and compare them. Obviously none of these sites should be run by the people trying to sell you something on the list. To that effect...

 

http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,124475-page,1/article.html

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2007_08.php

http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/ergebnisse_2007_05.php

 

(EDIT)

Link removed.

 

Edited September 22, 2007 by Sweets

[Saggy]

Not a fan of McAfee, or Norton for that matter. In general I'd recommend uninstalling it and using AVG instead.

 

For your particular problem, I say boot in Safe Mode (press F8 a few times at some point before the Windows logo when your computer's booting up), run a full-system virus scan, then run Ad-Aware and then CCleaner. And yeah, using IE was your first mistake.

If I remember correctly, you cannot start up AVG in Safe Mode. I always had problems doing it, anyway.

 

You should definitely try the following programs;

Spybot S&D 1.4

Ad-Aware SE

HiJackThis!

 

I would really bet that whatever malware on your system would be found by these programs better than virus scans.

[manofpeace]

I'm using Firefox right now. I'll start looking about those sites you showed me. Thanks.

[SWEETSAPRIK]

Yeah, I'm going to have to go ahead and take back what I said about adaware. I was basing it on an older version, after updating I found that the new version is pretty sh*t.

 

Shame, since the older version was damn good.

[XN22]

Shame, since the older version was damn good.

oldversion.com

[poopskin]

Then, about 10 seconds in, a sh*tload of anti-virus and security center things come up saying my computer is in danger, it's infected, etc. I click one of them, it scan, but it won't erase the crap until I'm registered, and it costs. So I say, "f*ck that!" and exit out.

 

Now I have a baloon that pops up every couple minutes telling me about my in danger computer.

F*CKING SPYAXE

[manofpeace]

Then, about 10 seconds in, a sh*tload of anti-virus and security center things come up saying my computer is in danger, it's infected, etc. I click one of them, it scan, but it won't erase the crap until I'm registered, and it costs. So I say, "f*ck that!" and exit out.

 

Now I have a baloon that pops up every couple minutes telling me about my in danger computer.

F*CKING SPYAXE

lol whut. Well I did a system restore and locked down some sh*t, so I'm safe now. Those Anti-Virus sites you guys showed me, cost money and put more viruses on my computer. So, yeah... I'll stick with McAffee for now, and away from too many pr0n sites.

[SWEETSAPRIK]

 

Those Anti-Virus sites you guys showed me, cost money and put more viruses on my computer.

None of the links posted will give you any spyware, and none of the links to downloads are for anything but free software.

 

Unless you completely misunderstood what poopskin was saying and actually went looking for SpyAxe. That would be pretty stupid. SpyAxe is malware that pretends to be antispyware so that idiots will install it. That's what he was saying, your first post sounds like you're describing accidentally installing SpyAxe. He was not telling you to go install it.

[Brutuz]

When your Mcafee thing ends, I can recommend AVG, I always have it running, and I still don't have any viruses.