Spyware Problems

I just bought a new pc and already spyware has infected it. I am a novice when dealing with computers so I have no idea how to handle this. I have installed spybot, and adware. I use them to constantly clean out suspicous files, but I can't get rid of what is aready attached. Since I only understand that spybot and adware are good tools to prevent this problem, how can I rid my computer of this parasite that is already there?

 

I dont know if there is a specific parasite b/c when I run spybot and adware the scan comes out clean. All I can tell are these odd symptoms my pc continues to display. For example,

1) When the pc is turned on, the cd rom opens

2) A white "window" comes up stating that this window shouldnt normally be displayed, but it is since the pc is infected with spyware.

3)When I launch internet explorer, the default page has changed to something strange AND I get the SAME weird pornographic ads......


AHH.

 

I read the link you sent and it prompted me to think that if you are right, this hihacker may be responsible for a virus my computer recently contracted (and deleted with McAfee). Is my thinking correct?

As far as spybot is concerned, I will check and keep you posted...

 

Thanks for the advice Star,

1)I will definitely trade McAfee for AVG. I hate these "partnerships" flooding my dell.

2) Will do the script trap.

Spybot:
I am assuming the amt of files it is scanning is on the bottom left (on the opposite side of the count down). It recored about 5,000/5,500.

I already selected the immunization option, but I dont know how to lock the homepage, does this prevent home page hijackers also?

Spybot picked up "double click" as a threat...true/false ?

Other questions:
Dell tech support said a personal firewall with cause some kind of interference, with downloads I think...true/false?

What products do I need to ideally protect my pc from having to deal with any problems? There are so many privacy protecters, av's, firewalls, nothing makes sense.

I appreciate all of you help.

 

Hey XFlat,

I installed spybot and adware. I got a msg upon launching one of them that adware will incorrectly detect spybot folders as threatening...??...so now I dont want to delete anything. Spybot detect threats from double click. I thought this was an actual company, so I dont know if I should delet them or not.

 

Star--

I know this is probably a dumb question, but what is DSL with router? I have earth link cable modem, but that is all I know!

 

Thanks a million Star. As soon as I tweak my setting for spybot, I will let you know what the scan finds (hopefully nothing).

So is this all I need to protect my pc ?
AVG
Script trap
lock homepage
immunize
adjust spybot setting to improve scanning
test firewall

 

The registry cleaner I "brilliantly" installed already is Registry Mechanic. Whatta ya think?

Anyway, thanks AGAIN. Seriously, trying to get this info from the Dell tech support is nearly impossible.

Thank you
Thank you
Thank you

Venessa

 

Regarding Dell tech support & spyware, you might be interested in this article:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/newsletter/archives/1203/2.php

 

Spyware

Thanks ParaPapaDoX. I almost wish I didnt read that newsletter. There is a quote from the "Open Letter to Dell From the Security Community" that I want to share. See the paragraph below:

"Will Dell forbid employees from recommending an antivirus program? Will Dell prohibit their techs from suggesting a firewall because it might be used to block a spyware program from sending user data to its vendor? How far does this policy go before common sense prevails?"

I found this paragraph eye-catching b/c the tech support did guide me to a few links such as adware, panic.com and a few others. HOWEVER, the tech DISCOURAGED me from installing a firewall.

Keep in mind my pc is only about a month old. I think it is too soon to be having these problems. Because of this, I will not recommend anyone to purchase a dell. There tech support is diplorable which should be a valuabe asset to any paying customer.

 

This is true, but a hardware firewall only controls inbound connections whereas a software firewall allows you to control which programs can communicate to the outside of your system. (i.e. phone home, auto-updaters that cannot be turned off, allowing programs to connect only to specific addresses). With my software firewall, if a program that I have allowed to access a remote system or the internet changes it's "signature" I am asked to authorize it. This includes whenever I update a program.

The way I see it, with a software firewall, I can prevent a program which has no need to connect to another system (i.e. a paint program or a calculator that has a phone home for "usage data" built in) by not granting permission with the firewall.

 

I've had a few Dell laptops, and I've also had strange things happening. The Dell phone help people decided that the main board was the problem, but the Dell mechanic who arived to replace it suggested a disc format first. It worked and all is now well.
Since then I've heard that Dell original installations are very shaky, and other people have reccommended the same.