I am new to this stuff and don't want to mess up my computer. My question is how do I know what to delete/fix when my adware and spyware remover scan comes up with critical objects, like tracking in systems & documents and ALEXA or whatever. Should I get rid of everything that shows up? Thanks!
217334
Ya delete everything that you anti spy-ware tool tels because it s designed to show only those objects that are unnecessary for your PC.
329250
Spyware Applications track how you use your computer or surf online. They are often installed with other "free" Applications without your knowledge or permission, and you may not even realize that they exist on your computer. Spyware can be difficult to uninstall. \n\nAdware Applications present pop-up or pop-under ads that are displayed when the main product is not running or do not appear to be connected with the product (such as pop-under ads while web browsing). These ads may be targeted and are not displayed within the form of an ad-sponsored Application. Adware is often installed along with other "free" Applications that provide services such as file sharing (P2P), clock syncing, and weather reports. \n\n*****************\n\nWhat is spyware?\n\n"Spyware" generally refers to computer programs that track your online activities. The activities that are tracked include, Web sites you visit, advertisement banners you click on, and search engines you tend to use. Spyware is generally used by Internet advertisers to collect data and statistics for online Web usage. You may unknowingly install spyware when you download programs from the Internet, install software from disks, or open suspicious email attachments.\n\n \n\nSymptoms of spyware\n\nThe following symptoms may indicate that spyware exists on your computer.\n\n*Your computer is acting slower than usual: One of the most commonly noticed symptoms of spyware is that your computer may responding much slower than usual. \n*Your Internet connection appears slower than usual: Spyware can use significant computer memory resources. Multiple instances of spyware running at the same time can create “memory leaks,” which can give you the impression that your Internet connection is much slower than normal. \n*Advertisement pop-ups appear when you're not browsing the Web: Spyware can also serve you pop-up advertisements that appear while you are not surfing the Web--even if you don’t have a Web browser open. \n*Your homepage has changed, or keeps changing: Sometimes spyware will change your default homepage, or render your computer incapable of changing your homepage again.  \n*Redirecting Web sites: Spyware can cause your browser to automatically redirect to different Web sites. This symptom is especially common with Internet search engines. \n*Search tool bars appear in your browser: You may notice that search bars appear directly in your browser. These bars, also known as plug-ins, can sometimes be installed by spyware programs. \n*Spyware software appears in menus: Another indication that spyware has been installed on your computer is when suspicious programs and folders appear in your Start menu, startup menu, or system tray.\nRemoving spyware\n\nSpyware is often very difficult to remove without the help of specialized anti-spyware programs (also known as spyware scanners). Spyware scanners identify and remove spyware from your computer. It is strongly recommended that you take advantage of these programs rather than attempting to remove spyware programs through conventional program un-install methods, like the “Add / Remove Programs” utility in Windows.\n\n \n\nSpyware protection and prevention\n\nHere are some basic guidelines to follow to help protect your computer from spyware in the future.\n\n*Always be careful to fully understand what an application will be doing on your computer before you download it. \n*Beware that sometimes spyware programs are bundled with other software applications (especially file sharing applications), and will automatically install. \n*Be aware that spyware can be hidden in files shared through some popular file sharing applications, including KaZaA, LimeWire, BearShare, WinMX, iMesh, Morpheus, and XoloX. \n\n****************\n\nFile sharing has become a favorite pastime for Internet users because it allows users to share files online with one another for free or at a minimal cost. Some popular file sha
61945
I would advise only using adware/spyware removers from credible companies and organizations.  Always do a search before installing something onto your computer if you have not heard of it before.\n\nFor spyware solutions, Spybot Search & Destroy is great.  If you are willing to try Microsoft's beta, consider MS Defender.  Both are currently free.\n\nhttp://www.safer-networking.org/\nhttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&DisplayLang=en\n\nDon't forget to always update the spyware definitions before scanning.\n\nThe best way to prevent spyware is to not go to suspicious websites, open unknown attachments, click on links from spam, etc.  Also, clear your cookies and run your anti-spyware program from time to time.
673889
download adaware by searching for it on yahoo... it gets rid of most spyware. You can also try to do a system restore if your pc supports it.
31760
For spyware solutions, Spybot Search & Destroy is great.  If you are willing to try Microsoft's beta, consider MS Defender.  Both are currently free.\n\nhttp://www.safer-networking.org/\nhttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&DisplayLang=en\n\nDon't forget to always update the spyware definitions before scanning.\n\nThe best way to prevent spyware is to not go to suspicious websites, open unknown attachments, click on links from spam, etc.  Also, clear your cookies and run your anti-spyware program from time to time.
104921
It may get deleted when you restart your computer.\nIf not, go ahead and delete it yourself. It's in a Temp directory, from which it is (generally) ok to delete things.\nNote that if the spyware/adware is still running, you may not be able to delete this file. In that case, rename it. Then reboot. Then delete it. Try Spybot Search & Destroy and/or Lavasoft AdAware (both free and very good tools).
360230
I recommend that you go to http://www.download.com and get AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search & Destory. Install, run, update and scan your computer with both programs.\n\nSpybot is great to protect and clean your registry of known threats. \nAd-aware scans files for threats and helps to delete them.\n\nThis double whammy will help keep you safe and running faster\n\nGood luck and Happy Computing!
78563
I use a three-pronged approach. AdAware (as listed above), as well as Spybot (Search & Destroy), which catches some things AdAware doesn't and has a built in blocker to keep it out for good, and Spywareblaster, which is purely a blocker.
109418
This one was a real pain to get rid of when my wife ran across it. The article I'm linking to at the bottom was a big help.\n\nYou will need to download the files they recommend, reboot in safe mode, run their tools and possibly (as I had to do) delete several dll's by hand (or rename them if you can't delete) then run ad-aware, spybot, windows startup inspector reboot in normal mode and run an online virus scanner (such as pandsoftware.com).\n\nVery frustrating but I think that just about did it.\n\nGood luck.
321571
you probably have a spyware program you deleted, but did not unistall, that is looking for a missing file, clean it out with spybot
639622
I had spy falcon on my comp and nothing seemed to work, except when I installed webroot spy sweeper which detected it and deleted. Dont know if you could block it, since I have webroot on my computer now, I hope that will prevent it.
320943
It worked!! I've spent almost all afternoon/evening trying to get this irritating thing off my laptop! But there still is one tray icon with the tooltip "Virus Alert". And a small popup that says Your Computer is Infected! Critical System. Did any of you face the same problem?
410180
All of these are ones that I personally use and all are free.\n\nI-Worm/Stration · BackDoor.Generic3.GBB and .GBC · Worm/Generic.FX · Exploit.WMF\nhttp://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5\n\nSpybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.\nhttp://www.safer-networking.org/\n\nhttp://superantispyware.com/\nSUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!\nEasily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!\nMake sure after you download any of these, that you update them.
250522
There are some kinds of spyware that NAV, adware etc. cant clean up.  If the program can identify the program write it down then do the following:\n - start->run-> msconfig-> startup\n   Disable any services you know to be suspect.\n   Disable any startup programs that are suspect.\n - Turn off system restore   \n - Reboot the system in safe mode (F8)\n   Try to remove or rename any programs listed by the spyware program. \n - While in safe mode re-run the spyware cleaning product if possible.\n - Reboot\n   \n Each virus/malware problem has a diffrent solution.
522013
I also have the same system as you, plus have Spybot S&D...for me the problem was Yahoo toolbar...after I uninstalled it I didn't have the problem any further...you could also disable the Tea Timer feature of Spybot.  Another spyware detection & removal tool I invested in recently is XoftSpy...it protects you from over 125,000 definitions as compared to only 49,000 from Spybot.  I use them both though.
366066
Why would you want to remove this Godsend from your computer? If your computer is connected to the internet almost nothing can keep you from adware and spyware.
161325
Hello, you might want to try this one. I've had very good luck getting rid of trojans, viruses, adware, spyware and other malware with this scanner. It's called Spybot Search & Destroy and it's well recommended. It works well with Adaware so you don't have to worry about compatibilty. I have both on my pc. Good luck and hope this does it for you.