Spyware and Spam: How to Get Rid of It

Originally posted by hbdragon88
:mad: My Window Washer trial just expired...what should I do now? It was a great program to clean my hard drive.
Fully uninstall the program, then re-install it. That should reset the timer so you can use it again.. assuming that the uninstall feature removes all registry keys left by the program.
 
I have uninstalled it, but I know some programs leave traces so you can't get away with reinstalling. Now I have a name, registery keys...

Is there anyone that could tell me what registery key Window Washer creates? I could delete it, but I'd have to know which one it is.
 
I looked through the logfile I had saved from the 163-spyware list, and I found that about 113 (give or take) were from WildTangent.
 
Who/Waht/Where is WildTangent??????????

If you go into the run, type REGEDIT then press Ctrl-F. Type in window washer, or the compnay that made them. You should find it now!
 
I found it, deleted the whole folder, and ran the setup. Worked like a charm :) Thanks everyone.
 
Thanks for that Adware program. I have 756 infected files or Reg things.
 
756?!! That's alot!!!! :lol: :lol: D
You must pick up lots of cookies! I only had <100
 
Most of my adware/spyware is data miners from cookies :p Never any bad stuff. I have Kazaa Lite :)
 
What about spysweeper? I have it installed on my computer. How would you compare it to adware or the like?
 
To be honest I haven't personally used the program spysweeper. I'm sure there's no harm in having additional spyware searching software. Use it in conjunction with Ad Aware to see if perhaps one misses something and the other catches it. Maybe some other users have a qualified opinion on that software...
 
I installed SpySweeper a few weeks ago.

Now I use it in conjunction with adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy. I alternate the order that I start them, and SpySweeper has found stuff even after adaware and Spybot didn't.

http://webroot.com/wb/downloads/index.php

Look under Try it on the right side of the page in the above link, around 2.02 MB in size.


This from the site; note some of the things only work for the paid version.

Spy Sweeper Snapshot

Spy Sweeper automatically detects and can remove all common forms of spyware programs including Trojans, system monitors, keyloggers and adware.
Take back your privacy - prevent spyware from recording your every move.
Protect yourself from identity and credit card theft.
Stop unscrupulous marketers, scam artists and snoops in their tracks - detect and remove spyware already installed on your system.
Prevent dangerous Trojan programs from wreaking havoc on your computer.
Take control of your computer - log files and detailed spyware definitions give you the knowledge you need to determine which programs you'll allow to run on your system.

What's new in Spy Sweeper 2.0

Automatically updates spyware definitions to provide immediate protection from the latest threats as they emerge.
Integrated news service provides essential information for avoiding spyware infection and tips for enhanced Spy Sweeper protection and convenience.
Compatibility with leading anti-virus applications, like Norton and McAfee ensures conflict free operation with your PC.
More comprehensive detection and removal of all Trojan and System logger components.
Expanded definitions detect more than 6,000 known fingerprints of Trojans, adware and system monitors

Features

Powerful Detection, Quarantine and Deletion - Spy Sweeper not only detects over 6,000 known spyware traces, it allows you to quarantine and arms you with the knowledge you need to analyze them more closely. Quarantined programs are disabled and stored in a safe place on your system until you decide whether or not to remove them. Because removing some spyware can break other programs on your system, the ability to quarantine without removal is an essential element that most anti-spyware programs are missing.

Spy Definitions Database - Subscribers will receive the most detailed and updated descriptions available for any spyware Spy Sweeper detects on your system including the category of spyware, its capabilities, methods of infection, risk analysis and recommended action. This information empowers you to determine how your personal information gets used.

Sweeping Options - Run a quick sweep for a fast, convenient analysis of your privacy risks, or choose a full sweep to ensure an in-depth probe to detect all spyware threats on your system.

Frequent Updates - Subscribers have access to Spy Sweeper databases, containing the most up-to-date spyware threats, so that your PC and privacy are fully protected.

Automated Scanning - Schedule automatic scan times to fit your schedule, and ensure that you are protected, no matter how busy you are.

Free Software Upgrades - Subscribers automatically receive free software upgrades for the duration of their subscription, ensuring that they have the most sophisticated spyware protection program available.

Simple and Easy-to-use - One-click starts sweeping for covert spyware on your system, providing powerful protection to novice and power users alike.



Subscriber Benefits

Unscrupulous marketers, hackers and thieves work daily to create new intrusive, harmful and annoying spyware to invade your privacy and steal your personal information. Free anti-spyware programs don't offer full protection, and anti-virus software doesn't protect you from spyware threats.

Don't compromise your privacy - with a full subscription you'll get:

Highest Level Protection - Regular updates to our spy definition database offer subscribers the most comprehensive protection available against all of the latest spyware threats.

Free Software Upgrades - Automatically receive and download upgrades to the software for the duration of your subscription.





System Requirements

Windows 98, 2000, Me, XP or NT4

150 Mhz processor or better

15 MB hard drive space

32 MB RAM

CD-ROM Drive

Supported Browsers: Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL/CompuServe, MSN, and others


http://webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php
 
****.

Kazza Lite now is starting to cost money. Kazaalite.nl now requires people to pay $1 (through Paypal) to download the program. Luckily if you have friends they can send it to you (they allow it) and you won't have to pay.

As of yet, k-lite.tk hasn't started charging people to download Kazza Lite.
 
Thanks to the person who wrote this, it is very helpful. And I never knew that porn got you so much spyware, maybe that's why I've had to reformat my computer so many times lol. Too bad there aren't any free, safe sites.
 
I got 77 New objects :p
 
So this topic gets revived, eh? It really should be sticked, how many users will actually search for old spyware/adware discussion topics?

Anyway, lots have changed since my last posting a year ago. I've ditched Window Washer and I'm now using Tracks Eraser Pro to clean my tracks. Since I bought a premium Yahoo Mail Plus subscription, I now use Mailwasher on a frequent basis to delete and bounce spam instead of just deleting it. I also use Kazaa Lite - but unfortunantely, it got shut down. But fortunantely OldVersion.com hosts the latest version, 2.43, on its servers. Download as you please. :)
 
Thanks for the links hbdragon. I went ahead and updated the information and links a bit.
 
I've got a question about Zone Alarm Pro, I've heard some bad things about the v5 line, so I'm worried that it might screw up my computer. So should I upgrade, or should I stay put until the kinks have been worked out?
 
hbdragon88 said:
I've got a question about Zone Alarm Pro, I've heard some bad things about the v5 line, so I'm worried that it might screw up my computer. So should I upgrade, or should I stay put until the kinks have been worked out?
If you're fine with what you have right now, wait. If you feel you need an upgrade, go for it.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Read some user opinions on their forums and see what people are saying about improvements and whatnot and base your opinion off of that. I personally don't know.
 
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