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Help! (computer stuff)
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| RapidFire |
Okay Im not sure whats wrong with my computer but I just contracted about 15 viruses and a bunch of spyware. I scanned, quarantined and deleted all the spyware using Ad-Aware and I've deleted the viruses (trojans) using Symantec Anti-Virus from its quarantine. Ive deleted Firefox just to be safe and Ive downloaded Opera instead. I deleted a bunch of spyware programs which I found in my add/remove programs list and thats all I can do. Now it doesent say I have anymore spyware when I scan and it tells me I have no more viruses but look at my icons on my desktop (I know its the result of a virus/spyware because Its happend to me before):
and Im getting pop ups like crazy. someone help! Is there a better antivirus program/spyware blocker/whatever I can do?? Im not sure how to re-format by myself so I dont think I wanna risk that (unless someone can guide me through it?). Its a brand new computer too...if anyone can help id appriciate it! thanks :( |
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| igottaknow |
first spyware isn't a virus so antivirus programs won't protect you.
second you're are either visiting bad sites (crk/porn) and/or downloading/installing softare/crks with spyware.
reinstall windows and change your behavior |
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| RapidFire |
| quote: | Originally posted by igottaknow
first spyware isn't a virus so antivirus programs won't protect you.
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I realize that. read the first sentence. I got viruses AND spyware and I scanned for and deleted both. now if I re-install windows isnt that the equivalent of re-formatting (something I have no knowledge about whatsoever)? and assuming I do it wouldnt I need to back up nearly everything on my computer?
as for how it got there, beats the hell out of me. I havent been on any porn sites since I got this computer (learned my lesson the first time) but Ive downloaded a bunch of things. So that most likely it. |
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| igottaknow |
yes and yes
backup your data and yes its a pain to reinstalling windows but its guaranteed to work. after that ghost your system before installing dubious software. |
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| RapidFire |
alright thanks for the advice so far. now seeing as how Im a complete noob and Ive never done this before do you mind answering some questions for me?
1. how exactly do I uninstall windows?
2.(I have my whole music library in my ipod) would it be alright if I used my ipod as an alternative to copying it all on CD's.
3. would it be better to use DVD's to back up the files (as they have more space)
4. what exactly is ghosting?
also if anyone else has a better solution than this dont hesitate to tell me before its too late! |
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| DarkFall01 |
Have you tried Spybot S&D?
Adware alone wont do the job... |
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| RapidFire |
| No but Im about to. thanks. Ill update as soon as I finish trying it. :) |
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| igottaknow |
| quote: | Originally posted by RapidFire
1. how exactly do I uninstall windows? |
insert windows cd or the cd that came with your computer. restart your computer.
| quote: | 2.(I have my whole music library in my ipod) would it be alright if I used my ipod as an alternative to copying it all on CD's.
3. would it be better to use DVD's to back up the files (as they have more space) |
whatever is fastest. but you should always have a backup. what if ur drive went bad?
| quote: | | 4. what exactly is ghosting? |
ghost and other similar software makes image of your system you can easily restore.
| quote: | | also if anyone else has a better solution than this don't hesitate to tell me before its too late! |
if you have more than one partition you can move your data off the partition your system resides on reinstall windows on top of the old one. lastly if all you have is weird looking desktop and your system is running fine, you might just leave things alone.
| quote: | Originally posted by DarkFall01
Have you tried Spybot S&D?
Adware alone wont do the job... |
yeah for god sake run that before doing anything else! |
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| LeopoldStotch |
the spy killer stuff works sometimes, but other times they don't work, because the stupid spyware is in locations real deep where you have no idea it was there .. for instance, some spyware attacked my friend's internet connection settings .. that's hardcore there ..
but i don't know if this is good advice or not, but for future references, if you have 1 hard drive, then make two partitions ... one for just your operating system, and one for everything else (progs, music, etc ..) .. i know making multiple partitions on your hard drive could increase the chances of killing the hard drive and slows performance, because you are hopping from the main to secondary partition and back, but heck .. i take safety over durability anyday .. |
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| RapidFire |
Ok well I ran the spybot multiple times and it did remove the black shadow off my icons. however Im still getting a load of pop ups and my anti-virus has caught about 3 viruses in the last 15 minutes.
Im gonna re-install firefox just to make sure these pop ups arent the result of not have having an anti-pop up program on Opera cuz Firefox has one built into it. If that fails and I still recieve viruses Im gonna try what you reccomended, igottaknow.
| quote: | Originally posted by LeopoldStotch
the spy killer stuff works sometimes, but other times they don't work, because the stupid spyware is in locations real deep where you have no idea it was there .. for instance, some spyware attacked my friend's internet connection settings .. that's hardcore there ..
but i don't know if this is good advice or not, but for future references, if you have 1 hard drive, then make two partitions ... one for just your operating system, and one for everything else (progs, music, etc ..) .. i know making multiple partitions on your hard drive could increase the chances of killing the hard drive and slows performance, because you are hopping from the main to secondary partition and back, but heck .. i take safety over durability anyday .. |
mind elaborating on how to make the partitions? Id like to give it a try after I re-install windows. |
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| Psygnosis |
Before you even consider Uninstalling, use the System Restore, it will fix basically anything thats wrong. I used to have a problem where ads would pop like crazy when i was offline and no software could remove it, so System Restore did fix it.
Try using that, if that doesnt work and if it's very annoying then backup C Drive and format. |
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