Agreed --
I use combinations of things to clean up my computer.
Keep pest-patrol running all the time as well as webroot's winder washer . This combination keeps my computer pretty clean.
Here is the suggestion to clean it up
1) Clean all your browsers's cache, etc
(I use Windows Washer for this)
2) restart your computer in Safe Mode with Networking
3) run pest-patrol (or spybot search and destroy)
clean up all objects found
4) then run Lavasoft's Ad-Aware -- full deep system scan mode. delete all critical and non-critical items
5) reboot -- back into Safe Mode w/networking
run steps 3 & 4 again
if you are still detecting spyware -- then you need to use the tool of last restort -- Hijack This!
Highjack this is a tool that allows you to manually go thru each startup entry -- and clean it up . My advice here is be careful and do not assume anything.
Some of these malicious programs clone themselves with Legit Program names and place startup entries for them (but note in their location and ordering sequence is different).
DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING.
reboot and cross your fingers.
--------------------------------
General notes:
1) Don't accept or download any toolbar (BHO entry )
great delivery mechanism for this crap
2) Change your default browser to anything but Internet Exploder (pun intended) -- I prefer foxfire & netscape myself.
3) If you cannot get the kids a seperate computer, then Setup a Dual boot on your system --
One partition for your kids to use, one for your use.
At least you can isolate the damage they do .
(A friend at work uses VMWARE to run a second instance of XP in an isolated window when he browses -- this has worked out very well ) ...
People wonder why I like an Alternative OS --
Solaris/Linux -- soon maybe OS4 :-D
Solaris 9 mostly laughs at spyware ...
(hoping the same experience will be there with OS4)
anyways good luck
darryl dB
