HELLPP!!!

1. Google the names of the spyware. You'll find insturctions on how to remove them.

2. Download Spybot Search & Destroy, get the latest updates, vaccinate your system and run a complete scan.

I just bought the latest version of PCcillin to upgrade from 2000 and it found that same trojan. Trend isn't updating 2000 anymore

Sorry man...you just ran into the primary reason I switched to Mac's - That being that in order to really "fix" them, you really have to just back up your data and re-install your favored form of Windows. There are a lot of spyware programs that you can remove, but, just like viruses, there are some that will never go away cleanly.

You may be able to get it back up like how it was again, but I would be looking for my cd's if I were you.

yes I meant to say I bought 2002

Were you running SP2? It has a lot better security. Since I installed it, I've noticed a *significant* drop in spyware that accumulates.

I've had my first wintel box (P4 running win2k) for a year now, with no anti-virus protection and I've not yet caught anything. I'm a Windows newbie BTW, it's not like I'm an expert user by any means.

However, I've turned off all unneeded services, I use no M$ SW ('cept the OS of course), I use Firefox for web stuff, I play games, mess about flashing vid cards, stuff like that. It is behind the router attached to my cable modem, still, there aren't any open ports on the box itself . . .

My question I guess is, how the heck do y'all get attacked? What brings a virus to one's Windows machine? What's everyone doing that makes them vulnerable? Is it really Windows that's to blame or is it something else?

dan k

p.m me with your address, I can mail you a sp2 cd.

You should know, though, that installing it on an already-compromised system will probably cause some more serious problems. I have known a lot of computers to get completely hosed by it already. (I support about 1200 windows xp pc's for a small university)

well, you are doing a lot of good things to keep your system safe, the firewall and running firefox being the most notable. Problem is, if you don't have antivirus, how do you know you haven't gotten any viruses?

Unfortunately, not all viruses will immediately kill your computer, some try to make themselves unnoticeable so they can do *other* stuff

Welcome to the wilderness that is Microsoft Windows...

First thing, you have to update your system to at minimum SP1 with ALL patches or SP2. Having anything less is like leaving the keys to your computer on the web for anyone to grab. With no updates, your system is wide open for rampant rpc exploits. Having dialup is just an excuse but not a good one, you can let the system update overnight if you have to.

Next thing, try following these instructions:

Steps to do:

First thing, download ADAWARE SE 1.04 (the new one avaliabe at www.lavasoftusa.com). Go ahead and install it and let it update but DON"T bother doing the full system scan but make sure you let it update itself completely. Also download Hijack This from here: http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3000-8022-10307556.html?tag=lst-0-1

Next, reboot into SAFE MODE (do NOT do this in regular mode).

While in safe mode, turn OFF system restore (right click on my comptuer-properties, click on system restore and DISABLE it completely and make sure its disabled. I would then reboot back again into safe mode just to make sure.

Now while still in safe mode, run HIJACK THIs

Hijack this will give you a long complicated list of things, you NEED to be aware of what you remove and don't remove. If you remove too much, you WILL break your system. If you don't remove enough, then the spyware will come back.

If you really need help on deciding what to kill and what not to kill, go here for some help: http://forums.spywareinfo.com/

Once all that is done, while still in safe mode, do the following:

First turn on the ablity to see hidden files and folders.

Then open the c:\documents and settings\your users\local settings\temp

DELETE EVERYTHING in that TEMP folder, and I mean everything (however there might be a few things that windows won't allow you to delete but try getting rid of as much as possible.

Then do that for ALL users (including "administrator) in the documents and settings folders.

Once that is done open the c:\documents and settings\your users\local settings\temporary internet files

Delete ALL the files and folders in those folders as well (its just manaully deleting all your temporary interent files without going though IE.

Now while still in safe mode and with a fairly clean machine, RUN ADAWARE 1.04 and let it do the full system scan and then let it remove everything (right click-select all items when its finished scanning and fix all objects).

Last step:

Check your HOSTS file
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc
And open HOSTS with Notepad
It should only look like what is in the picture:

if it doesn't look like what is in that picture, then get rid of all the rogue entires.

Once that is done, try rebooting and see if the problem is gone.

You might want to print these instructions out.

I still remember all this... coming off the internet after going to a few supposedly safe sites... having to scan for everything using 3 seperate programs... and having them **actually** find crap on the drive.

Windows XP... *shudder*

Definitely NOT an internet OS.