Infected with adware!

[JohnT]

I picked up some adware somewhere that's infected IE7 even though I don't use that browser. I keep getting pop-ups every 10 minutes or so. Anyone know how to clean that junk out of there? I've tried Ad-Aware 2007 without success.

[mdougals]

Go here http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4191.html in the top middle of the page it says "free downloads from" click one of the links. After you download it do the advanced cleaner. I had this same problem about 2 weeks ago and this cleaned it up for me.

[KdLaneJr]

Hope the fix that Matt posted works for you. I've seen dll files added that keep putting the pop-ups back before. Nasty stuff. Had to remove the offending stuff from the registry and then locate the offending dll and get rid of it.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Hope the fix that Matt posted works for you. I've seen dll files added that keep putting the pop-ups back before. Nasty stuff. Had to remove the offending stuff from the registry and then locate the offending dll and get rid of it.

And to make matters worse, sometimes (I have seen it only one time) the registry entry will be so absolutely buried within empty registry entries that there is no way to get it removed.

I have a document around here somewhere that deals with all of the different tricks that were known about to embed spyware/malware into a system, and I have to say that some of them are just plain nasty.

.dll's that keep a process locked so that it can't be terminated, and a watcher program to run that will keep restarting and re-registering the watcher should it be terminated, and the original offending program that can't be shut down directly has a built in watcher, to protect it's protector. Very nice triangulated protection, all the while building in functionallity that watches for any changes to the current registry entry.

Really really nasty stuff, that only a format will take care of -- or at least that was the only thing that I found to take care of it. Luckily this wasn't on one of my personal machines, and I had the option to format to fix it.

[CaptainTom]

system tools
do a system restore from a previous date before the infection.

[ramblinray]

Try adding Spybot 1.5 or 6, don't remember what the newest version is, and run it. Combined with Ad-aware and your normal internet security software, it should take care of most adware nasties.

[JohnT]

System Restore worked. It's only the second time in several years that I've had to use it so I didn't even think about it. Thanks, Tom!

And thanks to everyone else as well. I'm keeping your suggestions on file.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by JohnT

System Restore worked. It's only the second time in several years that I've had to use it so I didn't even think about it. Thanks, Tom!

And thanks to everyone else as well. I'm keeping your suggestions on file.

You're welcome.
Sometimes it takes the simple solution instead of the complicated one.
I use a program called Spyhunter that seems to get rid of a lot of adware. I don't remember how much it cost, but I'm pretty stingy so it wasn't much.

[JamesB]

i use this site for when i need major help. trusted and reliable

http://icrontic.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43902

James

[MarekWK]

Originally Posted by ramblinray

Try adding Spybot 1.5 or 6, don't remember what the newest version is, and run it. Combined with Ad-aware and your normal internet security software, it should take care of most adware nasties.

another vote for the SpyBot. between this and ad-aware you ought to be OK from now on. once infected, google for a specific fix. if you still have problems / need help, PM me.

[dlbdata]

Webroot SpySweeper takes care of most.

[Concisus Cognatus]

A MAC user would ask "What's all this talk about spyware/adware and virii?". Heeeehehehe

[JamesB]

Originally Posted by nikonhobbyman

A MAC user would ask "What's all this talk about spyware/adware and virii?". Heeeehehehe

its something you will be becoming familiar with sometime soon...thats what it is.

[mdparthum]

I used to have Norton with AT&T Yahoo DSL but I always had something slip pass the goalie! I finally bought Microsft LiveOne Care and the ole PC is running smooth. It was a little tough to get loaded for some reason, but once it was going it works nicely. I don't even know it's there. It also has a tune-up feature like Registry Mechanic did. No complaints yet!

[DeLeon]

Keeping SpyBot running along with Adaware, a good anti virus, and a good firewall should keep this from happening again. But nothing is bulletproof....not even a mac.