Sorry your browser is not supported!

http://forums.thatcomputerguy.us/index.php?showtopic=4599

first part of this long winded but important forum post
follow the link to read the lot.


In the last few months, the number of people looking for help in removing spyware/malware on our forums has enormously outweighed those seeking assistance with other issues.
With the surge in the amount of (and the nastiness of) this garbage on the internet, there are many "companies" who have popped up and are providing "Spyware Removal" or "Pop up Blocker" programs, free or paid, that can actually do more HARM than good. Remember, if you have a lot of popups... chances are you don't need a popup blocker, you need the spyware/malware on your computer removed to remedy the situation.

Here on our site, we recommend the use of two spyware removal programs. Spybot Search and Destroy and AdAware are the best all around utilities in this arena in my opinion. They both are free, and do a wonderful job. These are the only two "automatic" removal tools we recommend here (with few exceptions). (This doesn't include the other specialty programs that we used to get rid of specific infections.)

Below, you will find a list of the programs we have found that can do more HARM than good. When we see evidence of these programs on your machine, we will recommend REMOVING them. Some even contain spyware themselves!!! Others will tell you have spyware with a free download, but you'll have to fork over cash to get the program registered before it will remove it.

The biggest problem with the following programs, in my opinion, is that they lull a computer user into thinking they will fix everything, when they may add to the problem. Please be wary of using any of the following programs:

AdProtector
AdwareHunter (adwarehunter.com/browser-page.com)
AdWareRemoverGold (adwareremovergold.com)
BPS Spyware & Adware Remover (bulletproofsoft.com) -- AdAware knockoff,
InternetAntiSpy (internetantispy.com)
NoAdware (noadware.net/netpalnow.com)
Online PC-Fix SpyFerret
PopupsNuker<---see this review... http://www.majorgeeks.com/vb/showthread.php?t=32835
PurityScan (purityscan.com/puritysweep.com)
Real AdWareRemoverGold (adwareremovergold.com/sg08.biz)
Spybouncer (spybouncer.com)
SpyAssault (spyassault.com)
SpyBan (spyban.net) -- noadware clone
SpyBlast (spyblast.com/advertising.com)
Spyblocs/eBlocs.com (eblocs.com)
SpyDeleter (spydeleter.com/209.50.251.182)
SpyEliminator (securetactics.com) -- dead?
SpyFerret (onlinepcfix.com) -- also Lop Uninstaller,
Xupiter Uninstaller
SpyGone (spygone.com) -- SpyBot S&D ripoff
SpyHunter (enigmasoftwaregroup.comspywareremove.comspybot-spyware.com)
SpyKiller (spy-killer.com/maxionsoftware.com/spykiller.com/spykillerdownload.com/)
SpyKillerPro (spykillerpro.com)
Spyware Annihilator (solidlabs.com)
SpywareBeGone (spywarebegone.comfreespywarescan.org)
SpywareCleaner (»www.checkforspyware.com/ - »www.spw2a.com/sc/)
SpywareCrusher (spywarecrusher.com)
SpywareInfoooo.com
SpywareKilla (spywarekilla.com)
SpywareNuker (spywarenuker.com/trekblue.com/trekdata.com/spyware-killer.com/)
SpywareRemover (spy-ware-remover.com/spywareremover.com)
SpywareThis (spywarethis.com)
SpywareZapper (spywarezapper.com) -- looks like it may be TZ Spyware Adware Remover
SpyWiper (mailwiper.com)
ssppyy pro (ssppyy.com)
TZ Spyware Adware Remover (trackzapper.com)
VBouncer/AdDestroyer (spywarelabs.com/virtualbouncer.com)
Warnet (warnet.com)
XoftSpy (download-spybot.com/paretologic.com/downloadspybot.com/no-spybot.com) - this may be a SpyHunter clone
ZeroSpyware (zerospyware.com/zeroads.com)


Suspect
Spyware X Terminator

Yeah, good warning. It's frustrating that legitimate spyware removal tools, which are often free, can't afford to advertize a lot on, say, Google, while the fake ones turn up a lot more in searches...

I hate humans - just thought I'd mention that.

uggh...I have nightmares about removing fake spyware cleaners from my friend's computer.

Here's my list of legitimate spyware removers:

SpyBot Search & Destroy - http://safer-networking.org
AdAware - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Spyware Blaster - don't remember the link. I saw it on TechTV.

Feel free to add your own.

what more is there to say, spybot and adaware will get rid of almost everything as long as you're in command prompt safe mode in winxp

If you know how to use the command prompt, just press f8 when you're computer's booting up.. I don't know if safe mode command prompt works with windows programs in other versions of windows so you'll have to find out

for win98/me/95 I would recommend the regular safe mode..

That's actually a relief, I thought for a sec I'd downloaded something dodgy in my last spyware swoop - but I only use Adaware and Spybot S&D.

This stuff should really come with windows, like built in windows malware protection. The problem isn't us guys really 'cos we all pretty much know how to maintain our PC's - it's those colleagues and relations who stumble around the internet blindly accepting any crap that likes the smell of their PC. It's that season soon, the season of ''I got my kid a PC for christmas and he's broked it already''.


Van-B

I hate safe mode

hmmmm, more ways to sue microsoft.

but yes, I totally agree. it should also come with its own anti-virus, decent firewall, and popup blocker.

Some of these can be obtained through SP2 although i havent got it yet. im still hearing rumors.

Yahoo! now releases an anti-spyware scanner for IE in their toolbar. The odd thing is that it works very well.

:o :o...

:o

Spyware Blaster is a good preventative program. It's basically like the immunize feature of Spybot S&D.

Wow, speak of the devil, Microsoft acquired a Spyware removal company:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/dec04/12-16GIANTPR.asp

It will soon be released for the general public. It's about time!

I use spysweeper, it isnt free but it really does the job well.

I use Adaware S.E. Personal, AVG, and ZoneALARM,

Mmm, good times! and BAD TIMES!