Adware

T

THE GUNMAN

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Joined
Feb 28, 2009
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42
Hey guys I just got an adware, it got removed by McAfee and then it came again but McAfee couldn't remove it. So, I scanned my C drive (where it is according to security center) and nothing is detected.

Anyways, will it be safe to open my Steam account?

Please answer this if you know ASAP!!! (I want to play!) :facewall:
 
Well, What type was it? I doubt it would mess with your steam account, most of the "spyware" you get is just tracking cookies, there are some nasty ones, but you had to been going to some "naughty" sites to get them. But if you don't feel safe then run spybot or the other and see what they find.
 
I am fine with McAfee, it's the best for me (I tried many but McAfee is best). I wasn't going to "naughty" sites, I was going to watch a movie from a site and there was an adware and it got into my PC, its called Adware-ZangoSA and it's a Potentially Unwanted Program.

Is it still safe?
Thanks
 
McAfee is hardly the best. From what I could dig up on this.

This is a program that when active on a computer, can display pop-up advertising, and may also redirect browsers to websites controlled by the makers of this program. The EULA also allows updates and further programs to be installed on a computer running this application.
Click to expand...

I would do what Bulletsponge posted.
Hey Everyone,

Since there has been a huge influx of people reporting Viruses, Spyware, and Adware both here, and at work I figured I would offer a "walk-through" of sorts to successfully remove these annoying items that plague us all. However, in this post I have made a few of assumptions.

These are:

1. You are a local administrator of your computer, and you know all of the passwords to your computer.
2. You have Internet access
3. You are able to boot successfully in to Windows XP SP3 (Latest)
4. You understand that there is absolutely no way to prevent Viruses and other forms of Malware 100% of the time.
---
So, lets begin.

First you will need to boot to Windows in normal operating mode. This is your standard operating environment. Once in Windows perform the following steps to turn off the System Restore function built-in to Windows XP. This is a useless feature anyway:

1. RClick on My Computer -> Select Properties
2. Choose the "System Restore" tab
3. Select/Check the checkbox that says "Turn off System Restore on all drives"
4. Click "Apply" -> Click "OK"

Now you will go download your prefferred removal utility. As a Systems Engineer I am constantly searching for softwares that are able to successfully remove dangerous malware/spyware. Currently, I am recommending the following softwares:

http://www.malwarebytes.org
http://www.superantispyware.com
http://free.avg.com
http://www.spybot.net

These are all free software programs. Absolutely no charge, but work extremely well when used in conjunction with eachother. Of the four software titles, SpyBot works the least and should be used last.
--
Once you have downloaded your preferred softwares you will need to install them. Once you have installed the software titles, make sure you update them to their latest definitions. When you are positive you have the latest definitions for all of your software tools shut your computer down completely.

At this point you will need to press the power button on your system to power the machine on. Once you have done so, and have received your POST beep-code begin pressing the F8 key once every second. This is most frequently found above the number 7/8 keys accross the top. After a time you will be prompted to select a Windows Startup mode. You are going to go all the way to the top, and select "Safe Mode". Then press Enter.
*Important* At this point you will see a ton of directorys and files flood the screen, and your system will halt at the end for approximately 1-3 minutes while the safemode environment loads. This is normal. *DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER*

Once you have entered Safe-Mode you will be prompted with a Yes / No dialog box informing you that the computer is running in safe mode. Please Click Yes to continue running in safe mode. Then log in as the local Administrator.

Now that you are in safe mode, open the first of your preferred removal utilities. I recommend using MalwareBytes first for those of you using my recommended list. Perform a full system scan. This will take approximately 1-2 hours depending on the size of your computer, and the number of files it must scan. Once this is complete, move on to remove the items listed. Do not be concerned if any items are not able to be removed successfully. Remember: You have more software titles to run!

Now run the second of your preferred removal softwares. I recommend using SuperAntiSpyware at this time, if you are using my recommended list. Perform a Quick system scan. This will take approximately 1 hour. Perform appropriate removal.

Now run your Antivirus utility. If using my recommended tools, this will be a quick system scan using AVG Free Antivirus. This will take approximately 1 hour. Removal will be performed automatically with AVG in Safe Mode.

Finally, perform the same steps using your last scan using another alternative removal utility. This is when I would determine if I need to run SpyBot, or if I am comfortable with the results I have received with my other tools. Perform the appropriate steps for removal.

Now you can reboot your computer. I know, that was a long process but well worth it! 2-4 hours is better than rebuilding your system OS, and then having to reinstall all of your applications and drivers!

Once you have rebooted in to your normal Windows Operating environment, you can choose to re-enable the Windows XP System Restore feature I had you disable previously. I strongly recommend leaving it disabled, but some people swear up and down that stupid feature actually works. I just don't agree.

At this time your system should be virus, spyware, and adware free! (Relatively speaking)

Remember folks: The only way to be 100% certain you will never receive Malware is to simply not use the Internet and to not allow ANYONE to touch your computer. This is usually not a viable option, particularly for gamers so BE CAREFUL!

I hope this is found helpful by at least one person.

Regards,
Bulletsponge
Click to expand...
 
I read the first quote that you put before you put it anyways. I don't want to waste my time, anyways I never get pop-ups and I'm a computer "nerd" (good at computers) I think the stupid adware isn't working or it is removed. Like I said, my security system hasn't detected anything. And thank you very much for your help, Bad Dude :wink:

*Opening Steam*
 
you could download Ccleaner, if its a tracking cookie CCleaner will get it
 
Bad_Dude said:
Well, What type was it? I doubt it would mess with your steam account, most of the "spyware" you get is just tracking cookies, there are some nasty ones, but you had to been going to some "naughty" sites to get them. But if you don't feel safe then run spybot or the other and see what they find.
Click to expand...

lol "naughty" :chair:
 
mcafee is really not a great program, if your worried about infections you can take your computer to any geeksquad/bestbuy and get a free scan for infections. granted you may have some people trying to sell you stuff after you can always say your broke and leave. but the scanning we use is called system analyzer, it isnt going to remove just tell you if you have anything.

for security software id suggest spysweeper w antivirus or kaspersky if you have the money.
 
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