Getting rid of Malware, Adware and Spyware
Is your Windows PC slowing down? Are you getting a lot of uninvited junk ads showing on your screen? Nine out of 10 PCs are infected with junkware. Here’s my NBC-TV piece on how to fight back.
Is your Windows PC slowing down? Are you getting a lot of uninvited junk ads showing on your screen? Nine out of 10 PCs are infected with junkware. Here’s my NBC-TV piece on how to fight back.
January 18th, 2005 at 12:49 pm
Mike, Mike, Mike….
You had a perfect opportunity to mention that those were PC-only problems. Is it possible you too want to keep the Mac less well known to the spyware authors too?
-Dan
January 18th, 2005 at 1:19 pm
I dont know how to get rid of a trojan worm virus,can anyone help me??
January 18th, 2005 at 3:01 pm
Mike,
Microsoft just purchased and released an anti-spyware tool [1] that is free… until the summer. Nobody knows what will happen after that, but many people, including pundit Andy Ihnatko [2], feel it will remain free to counter Microsoft’s embarassingly vulnerable Windows operating system.
LINKS
[1] http://snipurl.com/bth9
[1] http://snipurl.com/6hxw
January 18th, 2005 at 3:52 pm
I do believe there are some keyloggers for OS X, but nothing on the order of Windows spyware. I thought my clients’ problems with spyware were bad until I saw this: http://forbes.com/home/enterprisetech/2005/01/17/cx_ah_0117spyfry.html
January 18th, 2005 at 5:57 pm
hi…i personally found that the spyware program that you mentioned on your news program invited more viruses than anything…it picked up items and had programs running in the background and caused my whole system to crash and i had to have my computer rebuilt. I removed the spyware and purchased adaware and the norton antivirus 2004 and have not had problems since.
January 18th, 2005 at 8:45 pm
I am a computer dummie. but i thought i would go to your sight and make a few clicks and have my computer virus free. i was afraid to install it after reading some of the comments on this page.and also am scared if i download anything i will get charged for it, or invite viruses. i am sure there are thousands more of us in northwest ohio who have this problem. i need to be walked thru this by one of my children. why not make me a weekly special feature on your newscast, entitle it” how to have the guts to make that click of the mouse”
January 19th, 2005 at 9:46 am
Hi. I caught your article today on TV. I’m like Madeline when it comes to computers. I have never used a virus program so I was wondering about the web site you advertize (freepcscan.com).
I’m afraid about downloading it. Most of the time I won’t down load anything because I’m afraid of it. I have a very old computer system that has a few problems anyway like locking up or it takes forever to get on my internet server. I
have no clue where to take it to get fix. Is this site that you mention is it safe.
Thanks Judy
January 19th, 2005 at 12:11 pm
is ad aware good for your computer?
January 19th, 2005 at 12:11 pm
Spyware?
Adware?
Virus’?
Never heard of ‘em……
January 19th, 2005 at 1:23 pm
Madeline-
I would recommend you check out the Seniornet Learning Centers– they are non-profit and teach anyone over 50 basic to advanced computer skills. The list for Ohio is at this link:
http://www.seniornet.org/php/lclist.php#OH
Judy- you might also find some help at your local Seniornet Learning Center– find your state at http://www.seniornet.org/php/lclist.php
James-
Ad-Aware, the program to find adware and spyware is very good for your Windows computer. Spybot Search & Destroy is also good. It is unfortunate that they are needed, but at least they do a good job together and are free.
To all of you who come here in search of help– the best advice I can give is to look into getting an Apple Macintosh computer– they do not have these problems and are great for non-technical people. See Mike’s recent opinion at http://mikesejournal.com/archives/003197.php
January 19th, 2005 at 9:56 pm
where can you find/get a free virus scan for your computer, that last? i have heard about them but i have not found eny of them!!! please reply!!!
January 20th, 2005 at 6:56 am
I just spent the last hour using the “free” scan thinking that it would get rid of the problem but that’s all it did-scan. I already knew my computer was infected.Apparently you have to register and pay $30.00. Do you have any advise that does’nt cost $$ ?. Renee
January 20th, 2005 at 10:24 am
There are several free virus scans online:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
I recommend the first one- I use it all the time on clients’ PCs.
If you want a free anti-virus program which you can install on your PC, there are two I have experience with:
http://www.free-av.com/ (my current favorite)
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ (tried and true)
And the best protection against viruses and spyware:
http://apple.com
Good luck.
January 20th, 2005 at 5:54 pm
My PC is now spyware free.
Thanks!
January 21st, 2005 at 12:17 pm
BEWARE….I did a free scan with Spyware Slayer and now I’m getting unwanted advertisement Emails.
January 21st, 2005 at 3:51 pm
YES, most of the online ads and popups which offer to scan your computer actually CONTAIN spyware– you MUST pay attention to sites like this one which tell you the exact spyware software to use– and the correct links to get there. Otherwise, you’ll likely do more damage than good.
T
January 27th, 2005 at 6:29 pm
I currently have McAfee anti spyware and Virus scan also a Firewall but still seem to be running slow. I tried to download Spybot but it only scanned and said I was infected with spyware but it would not remove them. I also ran my McAfee version and it said I had no infected files. Which one do I believe and is my McAfee worth keeping.
February 9th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I just downloaded Max Secure Spyware Detector and it found 9 spyware and 335 associated threats. Then it said to get rid of them, hit quarantine. Then it took me to a register now screen and won’t work unless I pay $29.95. I thought this was free? What do you recommend?
July 12th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
i downloaded a malware scanner progaram it said that it would get rid of it now it say i gotta regester and i got 557 infections what do i do can some one help me please!