For those who's computer is loading many tasks at boot, running very slowly, etc...
If you think you have adware, spyware, and/or a virus follow this guide.


First off, go and download Lavasoft's Adaware:
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button
Before installing ENSURE your virus scanner is turned off, if not, this scan will take HOURS
Install, update and run it
Next step, download Spybot Search and Destroy:
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...ubj=dl&tag=but
Install, update and run it, once again, make sure you turn off your virus scanner
Next download CWShreder:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html
Run it
ONLY DO THIS NEXT STEP IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE CHANGING YOUR REGISTY!!!!!
download Hijackthis: http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html
run it, and remove the suspicious items remember ONLY DO THIS STEP IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE CHANGING YOUR REGISTY!!!!!

Next, update your virus scanner, reboot your computer into safe mode
If you run windows 9x (95, 98, 98se) right before windows starts loading (before the fancy windows screen) hit 'F5' this will boot you into safe mode, when you get there, open your virus scanner, and scan your whole computer
If you run a Kernel based version of Windows (NT4, 2000 Pro/Server, XP Home/Pro, Server 2003) right before windows loads (there may be a little white bar that goes across the screen, do it as soon as you see that) hit the 'F8' button, and boot into Safe Mode, when you get in there, Open your Virus scanner, and run a full scan.

If you virus scanner finds some things it can't properly clean, write the names down, reboot into normal windows, go to the Symantec website www.symantec.com and search for the worm/virus, download the tool to remove it, and run it.

If you do not have one yet, also consider getting a firewall, either a hardware firewall, also known as a broadband router, or a software firewall like Zone Alarm, if you are using the Windows XP firewall, its not very strong, a better firewall will be safer.

Also, if you are using Internet Explorer, I also suggest a different browser, like Mozilla FireFox http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/ give it a try, its much faster, and much more secure than Internet Explorer.

In the ever changing world of spyware, Microsoft FINALLY realized that theirs is the only OS that gets affected by this, so they recently acquired GIANT software. At the moment, MS Anti-spyware is pretty good, so I suggest trying it as well.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...n&Hash=5BMW635

I got a suggestion from someone, although I've not tried the software, they say its pretty good, so if you do decide to use it, use it at your own risk, I'll give it a shot eventually, and then I'll decide if I'll leave it here or not. Its available at http://www.winpatrol.com/

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From wharry
http://www.ewido.com

Is another spyware/trojan scanner I've used and found it to be very effective when used in conjunction with Ad-aware and Spybot.
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From Efix
http://www.hitmanpro.nl/

"forget everything trocisp... bla bla bla," This program works well.

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huh?

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Your Mum goes to College
< the love egg

this is for fixing your computer, and congrats on 400 posts

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my computer isnt broke

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Your Mum goes to College
< the love egg

then go away?

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http://www.ewido.com

Is another spyware/trojan scanner I've used and found it to be very effective when used in conjunction with Ad-aware and Spybot.

One thing I will say is CWShredder as far as I am aware is no longer getting updated, the guy that ran the project got tired of the amount of 'cool web search' variants there was and the amount of time it was taking of his, so unless someone else has taken over the project this will only work for older variants of the 'Cool Web Search' spyware.

p.s. Use Firefox and you get less of that crap on your machine anyway.

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CWS is freakin' evil!

you suck

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amen

I think the longest my computer has been without it is about 2 days Sadd

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Cant be bothered

O rly?

Crap Cleaner (ccleaner.com) is a good all round um cleaner of crap too.

<blockquote>Trocisp<hr />If you do not have one yet, also consider getting a firewall, either a hardware firewall, also known as a broadband router, or a software firewall like Zone Alarm, if you are using the Windows XP firewall, its not very strong, a better firewall will be safer.<hr /></blockquote>

Not all broadband routers have a firewall built in either. :P Get a hardware one whenever possible too. I found a nice link to build one yourself if you have bits of computer lying around.

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Not all broadband routers have a firewall built in either. :P Get a hardware one whenever possible too. I found a nice link to build one yourself if you have bits of computer lying around.
<hr /></blockquote>post the link, and I'll add it to the guide, crediting you.

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um, I will when I find it. Kinda meant to say that at the end of the post but sorta didnt lol

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rofl

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Tro that current picture of homer in your sig, it should be bigger! Seriously its a good pic of him, he looks incredibly simple even by his standards.

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it's not my pic, go to www.simpsonssigs.com, and imagelink it, every time it's loaded, the quote changes

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I noticed, quite cool.

damn skippy

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hitman pro is a good one. It's in dutch but it runs most of the best programs one after the other in a big macro then gives a report at the end (In english!)

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Forget everything Trocisp wrote and download Hitmanpro. It had a massive update recently.

www.hitmanpro.nl