Uninvited Guests on your computer!

2 May 2005

Grrrrrrr!!! mad

:x :x
We obviously have an unwelcome guest somewhere on Sappho's computer. I have noticed for a while now that if we click on anything with the word 'help' in the title then that application immediately shuts down. For example, we can't open any thread on this Forum that has the word 'help' in the title. That would appear to apply to the word 'Update' too. I cannot now re-open the 'update' thread I posted on the twins :x .
My theory is that we have a piece of Spyware or something that is checking for the words 'help' and 'update' and then immediately closing the application so that we can't download something that can nuke it. Has anyone heard of anything like this before?
We already have Ad-Aware on here, but that isn't finding anything. My next move would be to try something like Hijack This.
For all those who have replied on the 'update' thread, thank you. Unfortunately, I won't be able to read them until I get back to Berkshire later tonight and can use my PC.
Will

2 May 2005

hmmmm
this won't be any help but I switched to a Mac last year and have not had any trouble like you described since... biggrin

2 May 2005

Try
It's found spyware AVG has missed on my system.

2 May 2005

Try Spybot Search & Destroy, that along with AVG, Adaware and a few other things should keep people out, and get rid of what's already there.

2 May 2005

Try SpySubtract. You can get a free download. It runs in the background and has a Venus Flytrap that interecepts spyware before it installs itself.
I run that together with AVG, Spybot, AdAware, XSoftSpy and Zone Alarm firewall and since doing all that I've been (touchwood) free of probs.
If you really want reassurance you're clean then get hold of something like Sophos.
Hope this helps. smile

2 May 2005

I can't add anything to the above but in the short term, if there is anything that you want to read, let me know and I will change the title for you so it doesn't include any of the offending words!! confused

:? :? :? :?

2 May 2005

Quote by Maia
hmmmm
this won't be any help but I switched to a Mac last year and have not had any trouble like you described since...

you've seen the light my friend

2 May 2005

Quote by happyabz
hmmmm
this won't be any help but I switched to a Mac last year and have not had any trouble like you described since...

you've seen the light my friend
Ditto on both accounts . . . :thumbup:

2 May 2005

hiya will,
well yup would be the way forward. catches lots of things adaware misses.
also, if you're using Internet Explorer, try downloading , and see if the problem is cured that way. most of these hijackers target IE, and you should at least be able to download fixes in firefox.
neil x x x ;)

2 May 2005

Apart from agreeing to all of above, give the new Microsoft Antispy BETA a go, can be downloaded from their site....
First of all, its free, and all updates (thats pretty regular - everyday) are free also.
Secondly, Its extremely quick in searching out spyware, and very informative yet easy to use.
And finally, Its found more spyware, trojens, tracker cookies etc than any other spyware removal tools i've used.
Ummm... ps, i dont work for microsoft, honest!
Benji

2 May 2005

Quote by Benji Barnicals
Apart from agreeing to all of above, give the new Microsoft Antispy BETA a go, can be downloaded from their site....
First of all, its free, and all updates (thats pretty regular - everyday) are free also.
Secondly, Its extremely quick in searching out spyware, and very informative yet easy to use.
And finally, Its found more spyware, trojens, tracker cookies etc than any other spyware removal tools i've used.
Ummm... ps, i dont work for microsoft, honest!
Benji

I have to agree, for once microsoft have actually done something right, which doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

3 May 2005

Hi, unfortunately I'm no expert with computers but you may have a virus on your computer. I once had a similar experiance with mine where the computer on the whole appears to function normally but would now and again do odd things.
The one thing that was out of the ordinary was the update for Norton Security would not connect to the server. When you did try to do a system scan everything seemed to work but the scan ran unusually quikly and would never find anything.
I gave my computer to an expert friend to look at. He came back and told me it was riddled, but had sorted it. Apparently this virus would disable your security programs without being obvious. Words like 'update' would cause it to do strange things.
Try running a scan with your security program and see whether it runs unusually quickly, and whether you can connect to your update server.

4 May 2005

Thanks folks. i tried to install Spybot S&D but whatever it is dropped the connection as soon as I tried to start the download.
My next plan is to get anything else that I might think I need onto my PC and then put them all on a CD and take them back up to Shropshire at the weeked. I have Ad-aware and Zone Alarm on my PC already and I must say that since I put those on it has been a dream.
Thanks again for all the help. Sarge, I'll let you know if I need any titles changing.
Will

4 May 2005

I can't solve your problem but have this free as compensation, click 'Open' when prompted.
Mods. this is Virus Free gauranteed

4 May 2005

Quote by happyabz
hmmmm
this won't be any help but I switched to a Mac last year and have not had any trouble like you described since...

you've seen the light my friend
And our Crusade marches quietly on.