Is there a computer Dr. in the house?

mesklin · Post by **mesklin** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 11:22 pm

You know where I bide. Gie us an e-mail

Dave

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 1:14 am

Hello all and to Jean

I run a free programme called Spybot, and you would be amazed what it will find lurking in your system. My first use of this programme found 76 little nasties, and I then got rid of them. If you still get trouble with little nasties, what you can do on XP is to turn off the system restore, do a virus scan, then switch off the computer or restart and this should also get rid of the little nasties. Then do another virus scan and switch back on your system restore. You can do this by going to control panel > system.

I scan almost daily with spybot.

CatrionaL · Post by **CatrionaL** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:36 am

Hullo Stewie,
I use Spybot too. However I thoroughly upset my granchildren, because I must have "botted" whatever the system uses to play the Mickey Mouse CD.
Sad, sad.

Enjoy your day
Catriona

DWW · Post by **DWW** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 12:00 pm

"Ad Aware SE Personal" - freeware - is also good for virtually totally removing popups, but also performing some of the functions of Spybot.... I run both on a regular basis.

Davie

DWW · Post by **DWW** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 1:02 pm

Fred Langa's Newsletter, - two versions, ordinary one free, and Plus version a few bucks/year, - are well worth subscribing to.

Much of the info is above my head, but there was recently an excellent survey of all such spyware etc,. detection tools, along with recommendations on which ones to use.

Normally I find something of interest in each (weekly) edition, sometimes of immediate interest, sometimes on the basis of "Hmmm didn't know that" and/or "Hey!, - that I'm filing for possible future use!"

A Google will pick up the www adress for the newsletter.

Davie

JJ · Post by JJ » Sat Dec 11, 2004 3:40 pm

Thanks for the tip BigWullieDavie. It does look like a valuable resource and I'm signing up....but didn't find anything yet specific to my AIM dilemma. I'm calling on the professional in 20 min when his shops opens. Hope I don't have to make the trip again....hope it can be resolved via phone!

Just downloaded the Shoot the Messenger utility and came back from hospital with SpyBot put in and have already used it. Still got the AdAware SE going strong and my Norton. Maybe I have so many cavalry that they're starting to shoot the good guys.....hmmmm.

Jeanbean

DWW · Post by **DWW** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 4:37 pm

Jean

Unfortuately there's an occasional stray shot which can take out an innocent bystander

but that's sometimes the price for zapping all the baddies

Normally there's a solution or a workaround.........

Davie

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 5:48 pm

Hi folks,

Another freeware programme is SpywareBlaster. Just do a "google" for it.

Jack
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ps - good to see so many familiar names again :)

JJ · Post by JJ » Sat Dec 11, 2004 11:30 pm

First let me say thanks for all the good advice and suggestions on curing the computer common cold. After 2 days of trying and a phone call to the Dr (again) (who's suggestion did not work I might add)....I have finally figures out how to get back my AOL IM capabilites through a program called Trillian. It seems pretty high tech and got high raves from the download. com site. So....when I figure out all it's bells and whistles I'll be better than new!!! Apparently the newest AIM version is not a good one. The Dr. told me that the WeatherBug is just spyware in disguise!!! I sure learned the hard way on that one. Again....Dave, Davie, Andrew,Drew, Stew, Catriona, Jack and anyone else I've missed....thanks for your good advice and helpful hints. I'm cured!!!!

Jeanbean

StewL · Post by **StewL** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 12:48 am

Hello Jean

I am glad I could help. I forgot to mention that I use Adaware also on a near daily basis, especially when things "slow up" a bit on the 'puter.
I have been using Adaware for a few years now, but only just recently started using Spybot when I got a trojan lurking in my system. Hence the advice on system restore, as Norton's recommended that was the way to eliminate the trojan, as they are sneaky little buggers who can be difficult to remove