Spyware Victim

[tammi]

Just recently, I decided to go visit Apolyton's Civ Site and then scroll down to the main page, when i find "infection warnings" and then check them out. I have 4 spywares on my computer! Finally I know what's been bugging my system.

Question is, what is a good program to use? does anyone out there use spybot -S&D-? or should i go for others? thanks for the responses.

 

[Jeratain]

The best I've used is Ad Aware. http://www.lavasoftusa.com

It safely removes all known spyware from your computer.

It's also only around 500kb, so a very small program to download.

 

[Smaasnekje]

Ad Aware is a good one... I dont have the adress, but search Download.com for it...

Edit: I c someone else also got it!

 

[CurtSibling]

Adware is the business!

You PC is under constant attack from spyware.

For extra protection, go to Microsoft.com (eek) and download their latest security upgrades for windows.

They are a good safeguard from Spyware, Worms and dialers.

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by CurtSibling
For extra protection, go to Microsoft.com (eek) and download their latest security upgrades for windows.

They are a good safeguard from Spyware, Worms and dialers.

That wont protect you as much from spyware as it will from being hacked, because of the vulnerabilities that are being discovered in Windows and IE. The only the Microsoft patches will do is help prevent others from gaining access of your system through hacking means.


Just reference for those who don't know much on spyware:

Spyware programs can still be installed without your knowledge.

For instance, anyone who's installed the regular version of Kazaa has also installed spyware. Anyone who has downloaded the DivX Pro package for free has also installed the Gator Corporation's spyware pacakge. Anyone who has installed Bonzai Buddy has installed spyware. Internet Explorer has a registry key with the nickname of Alexa - that is spyware. There is so much more.

Essentially, the programs that you download and install onto your computer can include spyware. So I reccomend that you run Ad Aware after every time you install a new program. Or just run it once a week to be sure you're on the safe side, that's what I do.

 

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

Gator is extremly annoying, it always seems to sneak in.

 

[CurtSibling]

Originally posted by Jeratain
For instance, anyone who's installed the regular version of Kazaa has also installed spyware. Anyone who has downloaded the DivX Pro package for free has also installed the Gator Corporation's spyware pacakge. Anyone who has installed Bonzai Buddy has installed spyware. Internet Explorer has a registry key with the nickname of Alexa - that is spyware. There is so much more.

Essentially, the programs that you download and install onto your computer can include spyware. So I reccomend that you run Ad Aware after every time you install a new program. Or just run it once a week to be sure you're on the safe side, that's what I do.

Jeratain, that is good advice in regards to Adware.

Xupiter and Lop.com are another two spammers to avoid.
And be careful what you download from macromedia too, I got spyware from them.
(or perhaps someone using their name...)

It is so shocking that these companies can just install software or change your WIN.ini file without permission (so they think).

It is like breaking into someone's house to leave an advert pasted on the sitting room wall...it's not right.
I have been told there is a Senator in the states considering making a campaign against these spam/spyware using companies.

More power to him!

To my fellow Civ Fanatics;
I suggest you email your local MP/Senator/whatever and ask him to complain about this invasion of innocent people's privacy.

There is a loop-hole in the law that is being exploited.

 

[jpowers]

Originally posted by Jeratain
The best I've used is Ad Aware. http://www.lavasoftusa.com

It safely removes all known spyware from your computer.

It's also only around 500kb, so a very small program to download.

Thank you VERY much for this information. I discovered that Eudora installs adware. I expect my spam-mail will be reduced now.

 

[Flatlander Fox]

Thanks alot, my endless D-Loading of games and music seems to pick up alot of dirty laundry.

I had over 30 programs hanging out on my computer!

 

[sabo]

Originally posted by Alcibiaties of Athenae
Gator is extremly annoying, it always seems to sneak in.

God I hate gator, it reminds me of the days when apps used to change your autoexcec.bat file or config.sys without telling you it was going to do it. Does anyone know of a good freeware app like ad aware?

oops I feel like a dummy, I just checked it out, I guess ad aware is free..

 

[Mikoyan]

30 Programs, why that's nothing.
When i first scanned my comp fror spyware it detected 119 programs.

I hate spyware.

 

[napoleon526]

For instance, anyone who's installed the regular version of Kazaa has also installed spyware. Anyone who has downloaded the DivX Pro package for free has also installed the Gator Corporation's spyware pacakge.

Yikes!

I'm going to take care of this immediately!

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Ad-aware is really good, as everyone has said.

One thing to keep in mind about the spyware that is installed with Kazaa is that Kazaa won't run without it. If you delete the cydoor program, Kazaa will give you a message saying a necessary component has been removed - and will make you reinstall the spyware. So if you want to run Kazaa, you have to put up with that one.

 

[Tassadar]

Thank you very much member, i install ad adware yesterday night and i got 20 spyware on my computer i removed them right away. Thats suppose to be a violation of private life, i dont understand why this is allow.

 

[Immortal]

keep in mind by deleting the spyware kazaa installed, you cant run kazaa anymore, so get kazaa lite after running ad-aware.

 

[Sparrowhawk]

I just said that immortal

 

[Franklyn]

A few things:

1. If you don't want spyware, don't download much of anything, especially free stuff. (Game demos and MP3 - not that I'd know anything about downloading free music files) might be the exception to that rule, tho I'm sure someone is trying to jam those full of spyware as well.

2. Spyware, sadly, is legal. You remember that user agreement you clicked right past during install? There's some language in there about spyware - it doesn't say spyware, but makes mention of third-parties. I forget the exact wording. It's in there, if you can decipher the legalese. As soon as you click to accept the user agreement, you've told Kazaa or Bonzi or whomever that you'll take the spyware.

3. If you use AdAware (which I do - great program), it will list things it thinks are spyware. If you're unsure what to delete, do a google search for it. More than likely, it's being talked about on some tech forum somewhere.

 

[sabo]

another tip for those who aren't doing this, make sure you set up a spam email account. You know how all these downloads sometimes require you to put in your email address?? well they sell that to advertisers, so make sure you have an email address you want all your spam to go to
I use hotmail since microsoft is so incompetent at keeping spam off their servers anyway.

 

[alamo]

U learn something new every day!

I wonder what I will find on my PC - wife and kid surf all over the place!

 

[morkaphi]

Thanks a bunch for sharing the info about Ad Aware, Jeratain!