Spam & Pop-ups... my favs.

[Faisal Kohgadai]

When is this spam sh*t gonna stop! I consider my PC fairly secure and I usually don't have an issue with spyware. So the other day, while browsing the net, I was redirected to another website. Next thing you know I'm getting pop-ups everytime my Internet Explorer page opens. When I look in task manager I have 2 instances of IEXPLORE.EXE running at all times even when I don't have Internet Explorer open. A couple of days later, while shutting down, I get this message saying that a process called FACECO~1.exe couldn't shut down properly. HMMMM??? I did a search for face* and came up with a program called "face coal.exe" which happened to be the bad boy causing all of this. I was only able to delete this in safe mode. I also noticed it creating a prefetch under c:\windows\prefetch which I also deleted in safe mode. After running hijackthis and removing a bunch of www.searchnow.com 's I was finally back to normal..... Anyways, I thought I would post this because I haven't seen anyone talk about this issue anywhere on the net yet. Hope this helps! :)

[YeOldeStonecat]

Windows Updates
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
Download, install, update, and scan with Microsoft Antispyware program. VERY effective tool, notice the Advanced Tools section...browser restore feature, LSP section, BHO section. (removes and provides real time protection, automatic updates also)
Download, install, update, and scan with latest Lavasoft Adaware (removes only)
Download, install, update, immunize, and scan with Latest Spybot Search and Destroy (removes and provides some protection)
Download, install, enable all protection with latest SpywareBlaster (only provides protection)

[thepieman]

I have been seeing a lot of new or improved versions of spyware lately. Some of them are even changing the permissions of the Reg Key to where you have to go in and manually give Administrator full access to the key ,or else the anti-spyware programs can't even get rid of it. Its getting totally out of hand. I have been seeing files being loaded even in Safe mode to where it can't be removed even in Safe mode.
I use all of the above for removal PLUS Adaware pro,Pestpatrol, Trojan Hunter, Spysweeper, LSPfix, Winfix, CWSshredder, Hijackthis and still have problems. In some cases AVAST is even becoming disabled.
I really wonder when Microsoft will get off their Duffs and pursue these people for Modifying windows files and treat them for what they really are..Virus makers. I guess theres just too much money to be made in the Spyware removal business , hence their purchase of Giant Antispyware.

Pie

[Izzo]

I ran into some today that was giving me grief...it froze up webroot twice and when i tried going to safe mode to get rid of it ..it still loaded ... webroot wouldnt run...spybot didnt catch it (getting rid of that now)


man what a pain in the a** :irate:

[thepieman]

I ran into some today that was giving me grief...it froze up webroot twice and when i tried going to safe mode to get rid of it ..it still loaded ... webroot wouldnt run...spybot didnt catch it (getting rid of that now)


man what a pain in the a** :irate:

getting rid of spybot? It has its uses. I use the new Beta version 1.4 and I go in to it in Advanced mode. I also make sure to Deselect all checkmarks from the IGNORE PRODUCTS, I use the BHO and ActiveX editor, The startup editor and host list as well. Make sure all the unchecked stuff it finds when you run a scan is checked off. I guess because they were sued by a couple of companies that claimed they were targetted by them as being spyware , they were forced to make it a choice wether to remove it or not. Always make sure you do a Update for the definitions and under settings you can put a Check next to Display beta Versions as well.

Pie

[goosebalance]

cookies have a big role in sending spam

[Paft]

cookies have a big role in sending spam

Untrue, given the fact that one domain can't look at a cookie set by another domain.