View Full Version : Please help - spyware issues!
i dont have a clue why their are bad reviews. but it is download.com lol ... its not really known for its reviews lol. <BR><BR><BR>there are two kinds of firewalls. <BR><BR>one is a software firewall. this is software you run on your computer such as norton firewall. basically what it does is block the most common ports used by hackers. its not very effective if someone knows what they are doing and really wants in your system.<BR><BR>a hardware firewall starts protection at the very begining of all communication coming into your house to you computers. it also blocks commonly used ports .. but allows you to configure the firewall to where you can pretty put your internet on lock down. lol all depends on how much security you want to have. <BR><BR>so pretty much a hardware firewall starts protection before anything even gets to your computer or computers. and software firewalls. ... if an intruder is already at the firewall he is already in your computer. <BR><BR>you cna build a firewall your self as well if you would like ... a simple old 486 or something similar will work for this and linux. with a hardware firewall setup. <BR><BR>or you can go the easy route and buy a router. <BR>
Hi, new person here, running Windows XP home edition, sp1, with Norton Internet Security professional 2004.<BR><BR>When scanning, Norton detected a spyware application (“Apropros” - auto_update_loader.exe) in my temp file under local settings. It failed to delete it, and couldn't even offer me advice on how to wipe it off my system manually (by clicking on its name and being taken to Norton's website).<BR><BR>What the website did do was explain the typical effects of this application (such as strange stuff happening in internet explorer, and the other typical things). However, I have not experienced any of these effects; it’s like the application is sitting there but has not run or opened (but I could be wrong), hence it only found the one file(?).<BR><BR>So I downloaded Spybot. But when I did this, Norton conflicted immediately and crashed, telling me to uninstall & reinstall Norton. I did this, following all instructions (including wiping all files from the local settings/temp folder (where the spyware application was!). I also unsinstalled spybot (without having used it). Now Norton works fine, but the spyware is still there, although it finds it in “c;
ecycler”, which i presume is the recycle bin, from when I cleared my temp file.<BR><BR>The same thing happened a while ago with an adware called Loop (detection, unable to wipe it, no visible effects though). In the end I deleted the file manually. However, I don’t want to do this as that is probably not a robust method.<BR><BR>I’ve tried to contact Norton, but the website eventually leads to a stupidly high premium rate phone number to call. I don’t want to do this, both for obvious reasons, and because the spyware doesn’t seem to be affecting my computer (although it’s hard to tell; would a slightly slower broadband connection be a sign? I could just be imagining things).<BR><BR>I’m not in dire straits, but if you could offer any impartial advice, it would be much appreciated. I don’t particularly want to download more applications to get rid of it.<BR><BR>On a side note, can i please ask the following questions also:<BR>1) can you safely delete ANYTHING in the temp file under the local settings?<BR>2) Is it a known conflict between Norton and Spybot?<BR>3) Is it likely that the spyware hasn't downloaded, and is just sitting there?<BR><BR>Many thanks, and cheers for sticking through this all!
1. yes you can delete pretty much anything in temp folders as long as you are not using. weather or not you will need that file again .. whos to say .. but just about any applications that makes temp files can most likely make them again. <BR><BR>2. norton likes to conflict with anything and everything lol. I would suggest removing norton and using panda active scan at <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan">panda software.com</a> . this is a free online scanning utility and is far better then norton is. <BR><BR>3. you can get spyware from just about anything now a days. so i would suggest using ad aware which can be found at <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.lavasoftusa.com/">Lava Soft</a><BR><BR>I would also suggest reading this general computer slow down trouble shooting guide i wrote up in the software forum. <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://bbs.pcstats.com/pcstats/messageview.cfm?catid=65&threadid=23879">Here</a> .. Its just a general guide that really gives you tips on overal computer maintenance. <BR><BR><BR>and welcome to pcstats andy <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
And what a warm welcome too! thank you for your help and advice.<BR><BR>I have heard so many people critizise Norton, but i never had any trouble with it until i downloaded spybot. in fact, i quite liked it. Given this, and the fact i paid for it, i wouldn't like to get rid of Norton if i can. Which leads me to ask, do you think that downloading the lava soft would interfere with Norton?<BR><BR>I'm glad you can delete things from the temp file, as i did this when uninstalling / reinstalling Norton. As a side note, there were a couple of files in here which couldn't be deleted, so these stayed. I wonder if these are legitimate??<BR><BR>I like your guide too, thanks. This place is a goldmine of info (and free at that, not £1.5 a minute as per an anti-virus company i believe i've mentioned above).<BR><BR>However, i would still love to hear all other people have to say, and whether it sounds like the spyware is active or dormat.<BR><BR>Andy<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
the files you cant delete are most likely in use at the moment. but its hard to tell what they actually are because i dont know you entire system setup. <BR><BR><BR> and all i can say is give ad aware a try .. it may or may not conflict with norton. <BR><BR>but panda software is far better then norton is .. i have scanned on many occasions with norton and it didnt find anything .. and then scan with panda and it would find one or more viruses on a computer.
Again, thanks for responding (and so prompt too).<BR><BR>I think i will give adaware a try, see how Norton likes that (although just deleting this one file manually is sooo tempting, espcially now its in the recycle bin!)!!<BR><BR>i may (in the distant future) give Panda a go as well - it's just i like norton, with its anti-virus, anti-spam, firewall, web clean-up, etc all in one package. And i'm guessing that if i get panda, Norton will start crying (am i right in thinking that you should only have one anti-virus program on your pc at any one time??)<BR><BR>Cheers.<BR>"I think, therefore my brain hurts". Andy's take on Rene Decartes.
yeah only one antivirus is a good idea .. they usually dont play nice with each other. <BR><BR>personally i dont like norton because it runs all the time and sucks up resources. .. so i just use panda and scan on a weekly basis.
i'm coming round to the idea that Norton anti-virus isnt that robust, but i dont want to delete it all, as it comes with a firewall and spam filter, etc, and i don't want to lose these. Do you think i could custom install it and not install the anti-virus section? That way i could use Panda (assuming that Norton wouldn't mind this?).<BR><BR>Do you have Adaware and Panda Anti-virus (free edition) on your computer? If so, i take it they do not conflict with each other? What else do you use (in terms of firewalls, etc)?<BR><BR>Many thanks again.
yes i run adaware and panda on my computer<BR><BR>panda active scan is a online scanning utility though. so it only downloads temporary files to run and then removes them after it has ran. <BR><BR>the only downfall of it working like this is that if you get a computer in from a client or something you cant run it on their computer ... because i always scan for viruses on a computer before it gets even close to being plugged into my network. <BR><BR>but you can buy panda software for you computer and have it do scheduled runs on a regular basis. <BR><BR>either way .. adaware should conflict with any antivirus programs because adaware is not an antivirus program. it scans for spyware and thats it. <BR><BR><BR>i would also suggest eliminating software firewalls and go with a hardware firewall ... such as a router (most have built in firewalls today .. but i recommend linksys routers)<BR><BR>they have dropped big time in price lately .. you can pick one up from newegg for like 30bux now.
i thought i had it all under control, but then you lost me with your different versions of firewalls!<BR><BR>i went to download.com to get ad aware, and ending up reading the reviews. there's some bad reviews on there that scared me off temporarily!<BR><BR>if i remember, i'll post a reply to let you what i did in the end, but when i get road to sorting this stuff out i don't know. my heart is inkling toward keeping my friend Norton. Whoops.<BR><BR>Thanks for your help, i wont hesitate to post a question again. Was i correct in using the beginners forum to do you think?
oh how i laughed at the irony: i was just reading your last post when norton flashed up saying it had bloked a trojan attempt (netbus or somit) on a commonly used port!<BR><BR>in the end, i just want to keep my nice little computer safe and cuddly and well, whilst occaisionally using the internet. Although i have broadband im not on the internet a whole lot really. to that end i thought norton, with its good reviews and known name, would satisfy me. And to an extent it has. I mean, it does work, it doesn't kill my computer doing it, and is nice and friendly to use. However, i realise it's not full-proof, but then again i doubt whether anything really is.<BR><BR>Your talk of firewalls scares me. i thought a firewall was a firewall. i must admit though, i still dont grasp the concepts you discuss, about how a hacker could get past a software version but not a hardware one. if someone could hack past the software, why not the hardware?<BR><BR>By the way, i deleted the pesky little file that was spyware. Did it manually form the recycle bin. Got fed up with it.<BR><BR>Whoops, we seem to have gone a little astray from the original post, wouldn't you say? this this in mind, let's stray a little further afield. Here's a question for you: does online gaming (call of duty to be precise) heighten your risk at all, apart from the fact that you are on the internet more? Sometimes i keep getting a "CONNECTION INTERUPTED" signal, although people tell me it's nothing. Whilst im playing, am i susceptible to attack?
you are right ... nothing is 100% safe ... but a router is more configurable and you can be alot safer with a hardware firewall. ... but if any intruder with knowledge decides he/she wants in your system, they will find a way to do it. <BR><BR><BR>as for the gaming ... honestly couldnt tell you. i dont think it would increase the risk of getting hacked. maybe getting a virus is possible when downloading maps and what not. .. but am not much of a gamer so i have never really looked into it. ... as for the connection interruption ... that would most likely mean you are looking packet transfer between your computer and the server you are playing on. ..or pretty much your internet is cutting on and off intermitently <-- is that spelled right? lol <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> <BR><BR><BR>but overall .. no i really wouldnt worry about it. the best advice anyone can give you would be to store all important information off the computer when you are not using it. IE: on a burned cd or some other removable media.
Yes, i do burn all files from my documents, so if anything does go down a certain creek, it's not all bad. i've still to look in to a complete computer backup. i have it as an option under system tools, but haven't done it yet. i'll have a read up sometime.<BR><BR>cheers for all your help, bye.
vBulletin® v3.7.2, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.