Spyware/Malware

[jpchenet]

Does anyone recommend a tried and tested anti Spyware/Malware application that doesn't just remove the existing one but install it's own rogue spyware instead. My daughter has managed to screw up her PC again!

[Chrisgr31]

Adaware from Lavasoft is highly recommended and free!  Do ensure you get the right version though!  There are programs like Adware that are in fact spyware.

For a free anti-irus programme use AVG, again very good and recommended.

[Robspot]

Ad-Aware is probably the best one. The personal version is free. If that doesn't clear it (or particularly if your homepage has been hijacked) you will need to google for other fixes. Try searching for the pages that are appearing.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

I've only ever got spyware infections from "certain" sites. Are you sure it was your daughter who screwed the PC up?

[jpchenet]

I've only ever got spyware infections from "certain" sites. Are you sure it was your daughter who screwed the PC up?

 

Seriously though, it's hit two PC's within as many weeks. She messed her computer up so "to do her homework" she's now been using my younger daughters and hers has now gone the same way. It's coincided with her going on MSN and Bebo a lot 

I'll give the Lavasoft offering a try and see how I get on.

Thanks guys!!

[LangTall]

Those damn 14 year olds....

[jpchenet]

Those damn 14 year olds....

It gets worse...........she was 15 last Friday!!! 

[Stu]

Those damn 14 year olds....

It gets worse...........she was 15 last Friday!!! 

I sympathise with you. My daughter regularly done my computer in via MSN and her mates. She's 16 now and as its not used as much, hey presto, no PC problems. Give her a severe bollocking about clicking on that download button without a bit of thought. Oh and threating to disable MSN, that makes them think.

[rcutler]

I can suggest Spybot, It not just destroys the spyware but leaves a bit left that will make the original source think it is still there but will serve no use to them. Stops the same thing happening again and again.

Freeware again.

[nopanic - neil]

Ad-Aware is probably the best one. The personal version is free. If that doesn't clear it (or particularly if your homepage has been hijacked) you will need to google for other fixes. Try searching for the pages that are appearing.

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

I've only ever got spyware infections from "certain" sites. Are you sure it was your daughter who screwed the PC up?

Adware - fantastic - run it on my computer and the house main pc, which my son uses, war craft and msn.

I get zero warnings, the main pc - 16 -34 every time - shows how much junk he gets, shows how good adware is.

The other one we use is AVG - Anti-Virus - Free edition, also very good.

Good luck,

[jpchenet]

Well I've downloaded it and run it.

239 of the little buggers it found.    Now all quarantined so we'll see where we go from here. 

Thanks everyone!! 

[DelBoy]

To add to the recommendations above, I think AVG is great...and it's free. 

But remember, there is no firewall in the free edition - get Zone Alarm, it is also free.

Del

[Mr. Invincible Mou]

AVG also do a real time spyware scanner. This works like an anti-virus prog hopefully stopping the spyware from getting on your pc, unlike the others which only scan to remove after infection.

They are still worth using though, and I always install and keep updated the following; Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, A squared Trojan Hunter and Spywareblaster.

Zone Alarm is a fairly decent free firewall, and AVG is a very good free Anti-virus prog.

[Stu]

To add to the recommendations above, I think AVG is great...and it's free. 

Yep, another vote fo AVG. I never switch my PC off as its usually downloading something  and I run a check every night. I get very few problems with virus's. I also run adaware once a week but can usually spot the sort of stuff which will install the shite on your PC.

[Jay (Team Cannonball)]

I can recommend Panda antivirus. It costs £60 notes a year but it is the dogs bollox. The amount of spyware that it detects and kills at source is scary. You would be amazed at the websites that try to plant spyware on your computer,  www.msn.co.uk is a favourite for spyware.