HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

[Libby]

I am about to cry. I just completely reloaded everything on my computer not but a few weeks ago, and my computer got a trojan..or letsay, a CRAPload of trojans and adware. I have DLed four diffrent free programs and have gotten rid of most of the issues, but it seems there is one trojan and a few adwares that keep popping up or completely go under the radar of all my programs...

Is there anything anyone can suggest for a very broke, starving artist type to save her computer from ANOTHER complete HD wipe? (Although there is a possiblity that I will be getting an upgrade soon, but there is still a risk of losing almost 2 years worth of work.

[hitogoroshi]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

I use McAffe, and it is effective, although I'm not sure if it's free.

[Omnislash024]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

Argh. Recently, this comp was infected by a trojan that was passed on through AIM. Though the virus itself has been changed to keep it from doing anything malicious, it still exists on here and will never be fully deleted unless I reconfig. I feel for you.

[Tsunami]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

Start transfering as much of your work as you can onto disks. I had a problem like this once and the only way I could solve it was to clear my hardrive. Hopefully, you won't have to do this (mine was a lot worse since my computer wouldn't even start) but at least if worst comes to worst, you'll be prepared.

[Rodak]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

I use two free programs: Ad-Aware and Spybot: Search and Destroy.

Between them I rarely have problems.

If things get bad, and you don't have disc space to store all those huge art files, you could always send all your stuff with Yousendit.com and use the link they give you for retrieving it. While it's all gone but stored on their server you can wipe your Hard Drive and restore everything later.

The links are only good for a week, so don't hesitate getting your stuff back or you'll lose it all.

They scan for viruses so you can be reasonably sure it will not return infected when you re-download everything.

The other option is storing it all on free web sites when curing your 'puter.

Extreme measures for extreme problems.

Good Luck with it.

Peace.

[hitogoroshi]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

Ohh! Ohh!
Digitalswordsmen.com hosts pics. However, they don't let ya join unless you fill out your profile and such (the admin just deleted a bunch of accounts.)
It's a local-based homebrew site, so the art would be apprecated. (sp?)

[Alzar]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

adaware and spybot are the way to go.

don't use any program that advertises via pop-up ad.

if you reinstall windows, do not have your computer connected to the internet unless updating windows, or it will get slammed with infinity viruses.

oh and also, get every update at windowsupdate.com

<-- tech support guy

[steve-dave]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

Yep i'll even say spybot search and destroy almost does it on its own. Use the tea timer it helps a little.

[Valkysas]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

spybot misses a ton of stuff that adaware doesnt. its not to be trusted on it's own.

[Roland Of Gilead]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

I use Norton Antivirus Proffessional 2003 and the free version of ad-aware and they work fine.

[Snarf]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

adaware, spybot: search and destroy and Trendmicro housecall is what I use. Never have had a problem. I would also suggest getting a stealth firewall like tiny or zonealarm.

[jvrlopez]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

This is what happens when you visit pornography sites.

[John Mora]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

Put on an electronic condom.

Unless you're Catholic. Then you have to use the electronic rhythm method.

[Libby]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

Okay, the programs I have currently used have been Ad-Ware, CCleaner, Spybot, Trojan Gold, Trojan Twister, and AntiVir. There are still backdoors even after running every single one in Safe Mode. And no, I didn't get it from going to porn sites, I made that mistake a long time ago, it was actually when I was searching for a way to get my serial number for my registered copy of Adobe... I have a legal version of the disk, however, I don't have the packaging any more. I don't have too much time this morning to go over the other things you guys mentioned, but I will definately try the "Hijack This" Option.

This was also done with the windows firewall up, and most of the updates installed. I just have no luck this week.

[Crimson Knight]

Re: HELP ME! Trojans and adware! Oh, my!

While programs like spybot and adaware are pretty effective, they won't get rid of EVERYTHING. I used McAffe to get rid of most of the trojans on my computer. I got the virus scan program free from the Comcast website(you need to have been a customer though).

Now while I do get spyware and stuff, it's not invasive and it comes from IE(but I use firefox now), so I'm not too worried. Although if you feel you have to do a HD wipe, make sure to get a USB drive that'll hold all your stuff. When I had to do one, I just transfered all my work into my thumb drive, and I couldn't care less what happened to my computer.