spyware???

Question

Hi.....
every day, or when ever we are on line, up pops this spyware in flashing red, telling us we have harmful viruses, bugs, everything, and to download it immediately. It is called Spyware and at the top of page it states microsoft....But I never knew microsoft would advertise like this.
Plus as more than I use this P.C. there is a little bullet icon on our task bar, and it states, open up urgent repairs needed, (or similar words) when one runs the mouse over it.
When you do click the icon, it is the same software that is suppose to be from Microsoft...I think the company are actually called Outforinfo, or something like that... and I cannot remove them....nor the icon.
would someone let me know if this is safe software...thank you...
and if not how do i remove them please...
also i have my pop up blocker on but i still get pop ups especially for gambling......i am not computer savvy .....as one can tell, so please ...H..E...L...P...
Cheers

Answer 1

Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from CA.

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx







Run Spybot and Adaware weekly.





Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/... . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.



Download, update and run Adaware---http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaw...



Now to prevent spyware from being installed in the first place....



Download SpywareBlaster---http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html

SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.



It's main features include:

- Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.

- Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.

- Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.

Answer 2

Run your anti-spyware in Safe Mode.If you dont have an excellent anti-spyware or your current anti-spyware can't prevent spyware from Invading you



computer,download a better one.

There are top 5 anti-spywares reviews,comparisons and download links on



http://www.spywaredetectors.info



You can download and scan your computer for free.



As the computer is booting press your "F8 Key" repeatly which should bring up the "Windows Advanced Options Menu" . Use your arrow keys to move to "Safe



Mode" and press your Enter key.



After into safe mode,run an anti-spyware to remove the spyware and adware on you computer.



Make sure you have 1 or 2 antispyware on your computer and 1 antivirus and also 1 firewall.



GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

Spyware is a program with the main objective of monitoring users activities. But it can also steal private information, install unwanted software, redirect browsers to other websites than the ones the user wants to visit or even displays advertisements.



You are infected with spyware if:



* You see too much pop-up advertisements.

* Your browser has toolbars that you haven't installed.

* Your homepage has changed (and you can't change it back).

* Other settings have changed without your permission.

* Your computer is slow.



To get rid of spyware and keep your computer clean you have to use an antispyware or even more. You can download free antispyware software from http://www.kiete.com/antispyware.html

Answer 4

Do a system restore to a point before you encountered the problem. Purchase NOD32 antivirus or use the trial for a while!

Answer 5

I recommend you download superantispyware. It is very effective and it is free. Once you download,update it. Then do a total scan in safe mode.

Answer 6

you are right. this is not microsoft product. run your antivirus and antispyware as soon as possible, they should remove the infection.



you can download antispyware at http://www.2-spyware.com/review-spyware-doctor.html

Answer 7

Go to Downloads.com-Avast 4.7 residential free antivirus download will rid your machine of these pests and keep them gone!

Answer 8

You have a seriously infected computer.

Do this



Used with permission from NumberSix6

Printing this would be helpful



Step 1) DON'T PANIC! Take a deep breath and go grab a cup of your favorite beverage. This may take awhile.

Step 2) Clean up your pc. Remove programs you don't use via the Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel. In Vista, you remove programs by clicking Programs and Features in the Control Panel. If you are unsure of a particular program, you can check it against a list of offenders here: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread....

Clean your hard drive of unnecessary files using CCleaner here: http://www.ccleaner.com/download/...

Save to your desktop, install it, then run the cleaner. Simple, yet it will free up tons of space on your hard drive. While you have the program open, run the Registry Checker as well. This will fix invalid registry entries safely. Note that you should run CCleaner for ALL accounts on your pc.

Step 3) Create a new System Restore point. Click Start>All Programs> Accessories>System Tools>System Restore. Create a restore point. Now delete all but this most recent restore point. Click Start>All Programs>Accessories> System Tools>Disk Cleanup. Click More Options tab, and then under System Restore, click Clean up. Click Yes to remove all but the most recent restore point. Click OK, click Yes, and then click OK.

Step 4) Now let's start to get rid of those nasties. Download the following programs to your Desktop. You should then install each one, but don't run them yet. Patience...patience.

Lavasoft's Ad-Aware from here: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_a...

AVG Anti-Spyware from here:

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/...

Spybot Search and Destroy from here:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/downl...

SUPERAntiSpyware from here:

http://www.superantispyware.com/...

I know this seems like overkill, but until someone can come up with one program that can detect everything in the wild, we need to use programs from several reputable sources.

Step 5) Use them safely. Once these programs are installed on your pc, their effectiveness may be negated by running scans normally. You need to reboot your pc into Safe Mode. Shut down your pc, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. As your computer restarts but before Windows launches, press F8.

Use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode with Networking option, which loads all of the above files and drivers and the essential services and drivers to start networking, and press Enter. If Windows launches before you can choose a safe mode, restart your computer and try again. Now it's time to start each program you installed and run scans. First, open Ad-Aware, update to the latest signatures, and run a full system scan. Delete any malware found, close the program and move on to AVG Anti-Spyware. Again, update, run complete scan, and delete the baddies. Do the same for Spybot and SuperAntiSpyware. When you are finished, restart the computer normally.

Step 6) Clean up and protect. I would recommend leaving AVG and Ad-Aware on your system, and delete the other two. These anti-spyware programs do not conflict and offer good future protection. If you happen to like the interface of the others, then by all means keep the ones you want, just so long as you have at least one solid stand-alone on your system. Uninstall the others via Add/Remove in the Control Panel.

Step 7) Not done yet. We've taken care of the spyware, but there still may be viruses and trojans lurking on your pc. If there is an anti-virus program running on your pc, shut it down. Yes, you read right, end the program. We need to run a few online scans that may conflict with the anti-virus installed. Go to Trend Micro: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/... to download and run their free online scanner. Take whatever action the scanner tells you for any virus found. Finally, do the same with the Panda Online ActiveScan : http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ac...

Restart your computer.

Step 8) Peace at last. Make sure your anti-virus program of choice is running again and is up-to-date. If you do not have one, I suggest AVG Free Antivirus here: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/ or Avast 4 Home:

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-...

Be sure you have at least one of the anti-spyware programs running, and also make sure you have a good firewall. PC Tools Firewall Plus is free and works on XP and Vista: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/... , as does WinPatrol 2007:

http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html...

This procedure will remove MOST malware. However, it may not catch some really nasty buggers. If you've followed all the steps and still believe you have something not right on your pc, you need some extra help. Go here: http://www.tomcoyote.org/hijackthis... to download a program called HijackThis. It examines certain key areas of the Registry and Hard Drive and lists their contents. Install, run and save a logfile which you may post on one of the forums listed on that same page as above. Some kind soul will then come along and examine your logfile and give you recommendations in order to wipe any remaining buggers away.

Please email me with comments, suggestions, and errors. If you like it, feel free to pass it on to other infected folks.

Source(s):

Many years of cleaning infected pc's