Spyware / Adware / Pop-up HELP!!!!

[DVWannaB]

All,

I need help desperately. I keep getting these websites popping up on my Win XP SP2 machine and I cant seem to stop it. I have tried various software to clean-up my computer, but it keeps occuring. I have tried Cyber Defender, PC Clean Pro, PC Antispy and Lavasoft Adawre. All these utilities run and say they have cleaned up all problem files, but the pop-up websites keep happening.

Also Windows Security Alert keeps popping up: Trojan-Clicker-Win32-Tiny-h is trying to access my system.

What can a totally lost and frustrated person do to clean up this mess?

Thanks.

[Poppa_Meth]

www.superantispyware.com and http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

are the two best Anti-spyware apps on the market right now. Both have free versions.

I'd also go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and run the free online virus scan.

[wtsinnc]

Good advice from Poppa_Meth. Superantispyware, Malwarebytes, and Housecall are all very good free applications. You might also consider the free scanners from Eset, Kaspersky, and A-Squared, among others.

Just wondering; what web browser are you using? If you're still using Internet Explorer you can expect such problems to continue. If you're not yet running Firefox with the add-ons NoScript, Ad Block, and Flash Block, download and install it today and separately install all three of those options. The newest version is compatible with XP, and offers substantially better protection than Internet Explorer.

If you want to stay with Internet Explorer (assuming that is the browser you are using with XP/SP2), at least run it with SandboxIE, Returnil, VM Ware, or some other program which will shield IE from most threats. All are free programs and available from multiple sources.

Another area for scrutiny is your firewall; which F/W are you using ? If you only have the Windows firewall installed, you don't really have a firewall at all. Even if you're behind a router, a good software firewall offers an extra layer of protection and there are several very good ones which are free.

Finally, Keep your security software and operating system up to date. I'm not trying to insinuate that you don't, but many people assume that these are "set and forget' programs when exactly the opposite is true if you want maximum protection. If you feel that your current antivirus is not adequate, try the free version of either Avira or Avast.

Sorry about the long-winded post; I realize you didn't ask for a security primer but those pop-ups are a symptom of a larger problem and the fact you're getting them clearly indicates some vulnerability in your current setup. Assume nothing and review everything. Free solutions are available but they can't help unless you employ them.

[knotnow]

Malwarebytes is a great program, like previous stated. You might have some of that going on also. It has helped me w/ virus/spyware/malware problems.

[the_man_one]

spybot search & destroy... hijack this & copy the log to their forum if u aint computer savy... they will tell ya what to get rid of

[DVWannaB]

Thanks for all the replies and help guys.

I am feeling rather foolish right about now. I thought you guys were ignoring me (just kidding) so I googled and found a site called Geeks to Go or something like that. I tried the first fix they recommended that didnt work. Then the second method was to use MBAM free version. Worked like a charm.

For anyone reading this and is unaware let me explain what happened to me.

When you have somehow picked up the malware which can be done in various ways, from sites you visit to downloading free apps, etc, your computer will start giving you what turns out to be phony Windows Security Alerts. These alerts tell you that you have a Trojan-****** that needs a particular software called PC Antispy and PC Pro Cleaner to cleanup the spyware on your system. This is a scam. Part of the scam to convince you that you have a spyware problem and various internet sites will just start popping up out of the blue even when you are not online. It will also change your internet homepage. Once you have been convinced that you need this software that automatically pops up when you click the Windows Security Alert box, the software that is supposed to fix the problem does not. The phony software is part of the scam. MBAM (aka malwarebytes) is the only thing that worked for me. It took me all day, plus about 6 hours yesterday to finally get this fixed.

Just a heads-up for the uninitiated out there. Be vigilant and get protection.