Do Spyware Removal programs remove Adware as well?

3 Comments

1. Dylan says:

   February 19, 2010 at 4:19 am

   They sure do; and this one is one of the best.

   http://download.cnet.com/3001-8022_4-10122137.html?spi=8cd6bdcc45c91ce7f4cdd0b8d68557ce
   References :
2. ray_8128s says:

   February 19, 2010 at 4:27 am

   SpywareRemover is a rogue anti-spyware program that is advertised through the use of malware. When this malware, labeled Hoax.Win32.SpyWare.d by Kaspersky antivirus, are installed on your computer you will start to see pop-ups for a variety of services. One of these is advertisements is a misleading pop-up stating you are infected and that you should install SpywareRemover to remove it. The title of this popup is Spyware detected! and the content of the popup is:
   Windows has detected a spyware infection!
   Please install SpywareRemover to remove the infection.

   Once SpywareRemover is installed, it will automatically scan your computer for infections and then display a variety of false positives as well as an interesting find; the malware that installed it in the first place. In order to remove these infections, though, you must first purchase a license of the software. Screen shots of the SpywareRemover program and the popup stating you are infected can be seen below.

   Follow the following removal instructions carefully:
   http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/spywareremover
   This guide will walk you through removing the SpywareRemover program.
   =================
   Then to further clean your PC of malware. After installing and updating, run a full scan in safe mode with the following three.

   1) First install, update and run "Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware" Free Edition
   http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

   2) Second install, update and run "SUPERAntiSpyware" Free Edition
   http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

   3) Then run a full scan with your antivirus.

   Avira free or Avast free, and Microsoft Essentials are three excellent antivirus programs. If you use AVG free version this is not acceptable as it does not remove Rootkits.
   ===================
   Redirects are often caused by browser add-ons or redirects installed in your hosts file.

   If your web pages are still being redirected. Start your browser without add-ons.
   IE8: Start> Accessories > System Tools > Start IE without add-ons
   Firefox: Start> Mozilla Firefox > Start Firefox without add-ons.
   If the redirects stop or are reduced you will need to disable all the add-ons then enable them one by one till you find the one(s) that are redirecting the web pages and then delete them.

   If it is still being redirected in the following order:

   1) Clear Your Hosts File to Help Prevent Web Page Redirection
   http://malektips.com/spyware_adware_0017.html

   2) Install "SpywareBlaster" (free) , Update, and Enable all protection
   Blocks about 12,000 items

   3) Install "Spybot Search & Destroy", update and immunize and scan. Immunize blocks about 120,000 items
   Disable tea timer and SD Helper:
   Mode > Advanced > Tools > Resident > Uncheck "Teatimer" and "SD Helper".
   ====================
   Good free online scanners; Run a different one each month or so. Rotate through the list.
   "BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan"
   "ESET Online Scanner"
   "Kaspersky Lab Free Virus Scan"
   "McAfee FreeScan"
   "Panda ActiveScan"
   "Symantec Security Check"
   "Trend Micro HouseCall"
   "Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner"
   ===================
   Next rum "Microsoft Update" to make sure your Widows software is up to date.

   Make sure to upgrade to IE8 and enable the "SmartScreen Filter" , earlier versions are unsafe. For security I prefer Firefox with Adblock Plus and NoScript add-ons.

   Install
   Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) (free)
   http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal/
   Checks for outdated, unpatched programs that are a security threat and shows patches if available.

   Install and run
   "Comodo Registry Cleaner" free
   http://download.cnet.com/Comodo-Registry-Cleaner/3000-2094_4-10895685.html
   Cleans registry and removes unsafe registry entries.

   Install "CCleaner" – free- cleans garbage from your hard drive
   ==========================
   Alerts you if you visit a dangerous web site. Install one.

   Web of Trust (WOT) (free)
   http://www.mywot.com/

   McAfee Site Advisor (free)
   http://www.siteadvisor.com/
   ====================
   In the future, if you want to be 100% safe from malware while surfing the web install Sandboxie. Per Sandboxie "Sandboxie runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer. " You can right click on any program icon to run it in Sandboxie. If will automatically set up to use your default browser.

   In Sandbox settings:
   Sandbox Settings > Delete > Invocations > Check "automatically delete contents of sandbox"
   (see video below)

   Sandboxie (free)
   http://www.sandboxie.com/

   Video of Sandboxie. Installation and use, (Part 1 of 3 parts)
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GueXMq-Vyi8&feature=channel_page
   References :
   How To Remove Malware For Free
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ah3efRdWes&feature=channel_page

   How To Remove Any Malware Infection. A Step-By-Step How To. Part 1 of 4
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zczqvI12ZD0&feature=channel

   Combofix – Malware Removal Made Easy
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PRWXVD_8-8&feature=channel_page
   http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix
   http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/ComboFix.exe

   Internet Explorer 8 SmartScreen Filter Vs. Malware
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O94v1MdMcxk&feature=channel_page
3. Private says:

   February 19, 2010 at 5:09 am

   You should use an antivirus program and antispyware software, because your computer is now infected with viruses and/or spyware.
   Here you have more information on computer security,
   as well as good and free programs that you can download into your computer:
   <–http://top5antispywarereviews.com
   References :