problems with a protective program

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by motdaugrnds, May 30, 2009.

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  1. motdaugrnds

    motdaugrnds Private E-2

    I have been running Ad-aware for years; present version running is the 2008 version. (I run the "free" versions and this keeps me from direct contact with Lavosoft, the Ad-aware makers.) I do understand there is an "Anniversary Edition" that is offered free, though it contains many of the programs I already have on my computer. This AE is over 35mb long and I am on dial-up. Have not been able to get it as the download freezes or gets disconnected prior to completion, even though I told my watchdog to let it download.

    The problem is getting updates for the 2008 version. It will "slowly" go to the site and tell me there is an update; then it freezes and no update begins .. no matter how many times I disconnect, clean, defrag, reboot, retry.

    I do have Spybot S&D (with tea timer), Avast and "Scotty" on patrol; so I think my pc is safe; however, I would like to get my updates and keep Ad-aware as it has done a very good job for me over the years.

    Can anyone suggest what might be the problem? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.
     
    motdaugrnds, May 30, 2009
    #1
  2. Major Attitude

    Major Attitude Co-Owner MajorGeeks.Com Staff Member

    I think the programs you are using, while fairly effective, are not as good as they used to be. Ad-Aware is bloated and not as effective. Spybot tea timer never worked all that well, and is only updated weekly, not a big fan. I would use Malwarebytes anti-malware and SuperAntispyware. It would be great if you had a friend who could download them for you, BUT these are much smaller downloads then Ad-Aware.

    Malwarebytes is only 3 megs:
    http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html

    SuperAntiSpyware is about 6 megs:
    http://www.majorgeeks.com/SUPERAntiSpyware_d5116.html
     
    Major Attitude, May 30, 2009
    #2
  3. motdaugrnds

    motdaugrnds Private E-2

    I went to http://www.superantispyware.com/ for this download. It was 6.11MB entitled "SUPERAntiSpyware.exe from downloads.superantispyware.com

    It started the download, then I received a small popup telling me it could not be downloaded and suggesting I try a different site. (This is the very same message I keep getting when trying to update the Ad-aware program I have on my pc now.

    I have no idea what to do to get my downloads.
     
    motdaugrnds, May 30, 2009
    #3
  4. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

    • If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First. If TDSSserv is not found, just continue on with the READ & RUN ME.
    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

    • If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.
    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:

    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:

    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
    ​
     
    TimW, May 30, 2009
    #4
  5. motdaugrnds

    motdaugrnds Private E-2

    I cannot find anywhere I can "edit" my last post; thus, needed to make this additional one.

    The message I received letting me know the download was not continuing was a small window entitled "Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) Error" with the message "SUPERAntiSpyware.exe could not be downloaded...Message Njumber 50:28" It also stated, "DAP Tip:You may want t otry to find this file on a different site."

    Then there is a hyperlink to "Fnd alternate links", which I will not click because I do not know where that hyperlink will take me. (I find it curious that the programs cannot be downloaded or updated from the "home" site and I get this message to try alternate download sites.)

    This time I was attempting a download from the majorgeeks site when I received this DAP message.

    Not sure what to do now.
     
    motdaugrnds, May 30, 2009
    #5
  6. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Just continue on with the instructions.
     
    TimW, Jun 1, 2009
    #6
  7. motdaugrnds

    motdaugrnds Private E-2

    Well, I have removed Ad-aware and installed SpywareBlaster.

    I have Avast Antivirus (last updated yesterday morning) and it told me I had 2 trojans in many, many files. I let Avast take care of those and now my Spybot S&D will not function. I am wondering what on earth to do now to protect my pc. (Since my last post in here, there seems to have been changes to the protective programs and I am totally confused as to what to get.) My son told me Avast caused me to delete the portions of Spybot S&D that "competed" with it and that, in doing a pc search, he could not even find the trojans Avast told me were infecting files.

    Sorry I am so dense about computers. I would appreciate "concrete" info about what to do now.
     
    motdaugrnds, Dec 3, 2009
    #7
  8. motdaugrnds

    motdaugrnds Private E-2

    Sorry, this post duplicated earlier one.
     
    motdaugrnds, Dec 3, 2009
    #8
  9. motdaugrnds

    motdaugrnds Private E-2

    Please do not respond to this thread as it is an old one and no longer represents my computer's programs.

    I started a new thread that does represent what is going on now and need help if there is anyone having time to respond to it.

    Thank you.
     
    motdaugrnds, Dec 3, 2009
    #9
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