Question about spywares and malware >>> kindly reply

unaware · Feb 22, 2007

Hello All,

Is it possible for a spyware or malware to remain even if I already re-installed my OS and other applications?

Any reply to this thread would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

TimW · Feb 22, 2007

By re-install do you mean a repair install or a clean/formatted install?
A clean install will wipe everything...a repair install will not (leaving the malware in place).

Also, any items that you install, whether from cd/floppy/or other media, may have malware if not scanned before installing.

Connecting to the web to get downloads of utilities (Ad-Aware/CCleaner, etc.) will usually also get you some spyware....mostly negligable, but there none the less.

unaware · Feb 26, 2007

Thanks for the reply TimW!

what I did was a clean install... and according to you, it should wipe everything... and I think it did because I went through the READ and RUN me first again and it found nothing aside from cookies...

DavidGP · Mar 1, 2007

Hi Yes

If your scans just found cookies then your fine, but also have a read of this guide How to Protect yourself from malware!

Their are senarios in which you can after a clean re-install of the OS catch malware again and that is if you go online straight away without if using XP, Service Pack 2, plus Antivirus, Firewall and Antispyware installed, or install software which is from an unknown source and infected, possibly where your initial infection came from.

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Question about spywares and malware >>> kindly reply

unaware Private E-2

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

unaware Private E-2

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member