Just one good reason to Hate Windows and PCs in general!!

[AndyC]

Righty...

So, here I was minding my own business doing some housework with my PC playing some tunes while connected to the internet...

After about an hour, I head back to my PC to see some alarming things had happened.

Firstly, there are 2 new icons in the system tray... no idea why they were there!

Then there's the two new program groups in my Startmenu... and then I saw it.

GAIN.

Bugger.

Basically, without me clicking any buttons, or giving permission, there are now two applications running on my PC, with Gator in the background.

After a bit of searching, I found the install log... which made alarming reading... here it is for all to see...

C:\WINDOWS\TEMP\fsg_tmp\PdpSetup3201.exe v3201 starts Sat Feb 08 12:52:41 2003

Updating security...
   -> Not supported on Windows 98.
   DelVal HKLM\software\Gator.com, SetupStartedMessageSent... OK (didn't exist)
Fixing old-version anomalies:
   Updating OC EntityFlag:    Updating Gator EntityFlag: Not set.
   Removing 2.x GSNInstalled value...    DelVal HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, GSNInstalled... OK (didn't exist)
PreviousInstallInfo:
   Version:      ""
   AIC:          ""
   GatorInst:    0
   OCInst:       0
   CmeKeyExists: 0
LogToServer SENT: SILENTSETUP=START<^E>828957AD-5B35-4063-91C3-2768B5F59304<^E>HIC_TargetSearches<^E>3.2.0.1
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com, SetupStartedMessageSent=1... OK (0)
#STEP_EnsureOnlySetupApp:
   Prev app is "None"... PdpSetup can run!
#STEP_CreateSentinel:OK
System Folders:
   ProgramFilesDir = "C:\Program Files"
   CommonFilesDir = "C:\Program Files\Common Files"
#STEP_CheckIfGatorAlreadyInstalled:
   No previous version found.
#STEP_CheckOS: OS Version: 4.10.2222.1 - Windows 98 (allowed)
#STEP_CheckDiskSpace:
#STEP_ShutdownApp:
EnsureNoAppsRunning:
EnsureNotRunning(CME):
   Using 3x Event... Not Listed.
   Using Pre-3x method... Not running.
EnsureNotRunning(Gator):
   Using 3x Event... Not Listed.
   Using Pre-3x method... Not running.
EnsureNotRunning(OfferCompanion):
   Using 3x Event... Not Listed.
   Using Pre-3x method... Not running.
EnsureNotRunning(GMT):
   Using 3x Event... Not Listed.
   Using Pre-3x method... Not running.
#STEP_LoadInfo:
   ReadSetting(SetupInf)... value="c:\windows\TEMP\fsg_tmp\files\PdpSetup.inf" OK
   ReadSetting(Bundle)... value="c:\windows\TEMP\fsg_tmp\files\3305.gsz" OK
   ReadSetting(OemResDllFile)... value="" OK
   ReadSetting(OemResDllName)... value="" OK
#STEP_ProcessSetupInf:
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\dyn\Settings, RequirePassword=0... OK (0)
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\dyn\Settings, MinPasswordLength=0... OK (0)
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\stat\GMT\Settings, IMU_Delay=0... OK (0)
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\stat\GMT\Settings, AU_DelayHrs=0... OK (0)
   -> OK
#STEP_CheckInstallGatorOffers:
ShouldInstallApp(Gator):
   Install (INF flag):    0
   Upgrade (file exists): 0  (C:\Program Files\Gator.com\Gator\Gator.exe)
   -> NO
ShouldInstallApp(Offers):
   Install (INF flag):    0
   Upgrade (file exists): 0  (C:\Program Files\Gator.com\OfferCompanion\Offers.exe)
   Upgrade (file exists): 0  (C:\Program Files\Gator.com\Gator\Offers.exe)
   -> NO
#STEP_Migrate:
   GMT.exe (C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe) NOT found, performing migration...
Migrating installed files:
   Old dir is "C:\Program Files\Gator.com\Gator
   New dir is "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT
   Migration skipped: no files or subdirs
   Removing pre-1.8 Uninstaller...
      Deleting "C:\WINDOWS\GatorUninstaller.exe"... OK (didn't exist)
      Deleting "C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\Gator.com\Gator\GatorUninstaller.exe"... OK (didn't exist)
      Deleting "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GatorUninstaller.exe"... OK (didn't exist)
   Removing 2.5/2.6 Uninstaller...
      Deleting "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GSNUninstaller.exe"... OK (didn't exist)
   Deleting CTB files from C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT...
      Deleting "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\ctbrte2.dll"... OK (didn't exist)
      Deleting "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\ctb.dat"... OK (didn't exist)
      Deleting "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\upd_ctb.dat"... OK (didn't exist)
      Deleting "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\last_ctb.dat"... OK (didn't exist)
      Deleting "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\ctbg.xcl"... OK (didn't exist)
      Deleting "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\upd_ctbg.xcl"... OK (didn't exist)
#STEP_InitBundle:
   Bundle Init completed successfully.
#STEP_ExtractItems:
   Extracting GMT.exe to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B2.TMP...
   Extracting GatorStubSetup.exe to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B3.TMP...
   Extracting GUninstaller.exe to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B4.TMP...
   Extracting egIEEngine.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B5.TMP...
   Extracting EGIEProcess.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B6.TMP...
   Extracting EGNSEngine.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B7.TMP...
   Extracting GatorRes.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B8.TMP...
   Extracting Helper.wav to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B9.TMP...
   Extracting FillIn.wav to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BA.TMP...
   Extracting GMT.exe.manifest to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BB.TMP...
   Extracting CMESys.exe to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BC.TMP...
   Extracting CMEIIAPI.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BD.TMP...
   Extracting CMEUpd.exe to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BE.TMP...
   Extracting GAppMgr.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BF.TMP...
   Extracting GController.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C0.TMP...
   Extracting GDwldEng.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C1.TMP...
   Extracting GFormCTM.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C2.TMP...
   Extracting GIocl.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C3.TMP...
   Extracting GIoclClient.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C4.TMP...
   Extracting GMTProxy.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C5.TMP...
   Extracting GObjs.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C6.TMP...
   Extracting GStore.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C7.TMP...
   Extracting GStoreServer.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C8.TMP...
   Extracting GSvcMgr.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C9.TMP...
   Extracting GSvcSAP.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42CA.TMP...
   Extracting Gtools.dll to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42CB.TMP...
   Extracting bundle.inf to c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42CC.TMP...
#STEP_DecompressItems:
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B2.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT_exe.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B3.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GatorStubSetup_exe.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B4.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GUninstaller_exe.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B5.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\egIEEngine_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B6.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\EGIEProcess_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B7.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\EGNSEngine_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B8.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GatorRes_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42B9.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\Helper_wav.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BA.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\FillIn_wav.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BB.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe_manifest.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BC.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMESys_exe.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BD.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMEIIAPI_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BE.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMEUpd_exe.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42BF.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GAppMgr_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C0.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GController_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C1.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GDwldEng_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C2.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GFormCTM_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C3.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GIocl_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C4.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GIoclClient_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C5.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GMTProxy_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C6.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GObjs_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C7.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GStore_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C8.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GStoreServer_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42C9.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GSvcMgr_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42CA.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GSvcSAP_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42CB.TMP" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\Gtools_dll.INT"...
   Decompressing "c:\windows\TEMP\GBI42CC.TMP" to "c:\windows\TEMP\bundle_inf.INT"...
#STEP_RenameItems:
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT_exe.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GatorStubSetup_exe.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GatorStubSetup.exe"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GUninstaller_exe.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GUninstaller.exe"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\egIEEngine_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\egIEEngine.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\EGIEProcess_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\EGIEProcess.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\EGNSEngine_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\EGNSEngine.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GatorRes_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GatorRes.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\Helper_wav.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\Helper.wav"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\FillIn_wav.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\FillIn.wav"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe_manifest.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe.manifest"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMESys_exe.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMESys.exe"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMEIIAPI_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMEIIAPI.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMEUpd_exe.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMEUpd.exe"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GAppMgr_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GAppMgr.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GController_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GController.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GDwldEng_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GDwldEng.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GFormCTM_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GFormCTM.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GIocl_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GIocl.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GIoclClient_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GIoclClient.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GMTProxy_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GMTProxy.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GObjs_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GObjs.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GStore_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GStore.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GStoreServer_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GStoreServer.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GSvcMgr_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GSvcMgr.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GSvcSAP_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\GSvcSAP.dll"
   Renaming "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\Gtools_dll.INT" to "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\Gtools.dll"
   Renaming "c:\windows\TEMP\bundle_inf.INT" to "c:\windows\TEMP\bundle.inf"
   -> All files renamed successfully.
#STEP_InstallOemResDll:
   None supplied (OK).
   DelVal HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\dyn, OEMResDll... OK (didn't exist)
#STEP_InstallApps:
   Pre-installed apps: ""
   App-install requests: "DateManager$aic$$tid$CONB25PrecisionTime$aic$$tid$CONB25"
WriteCmePdpRegSettings:
   (no PreInstalledApps)
   AppRequests:
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\PDP\Install, 000="DateManagerHIC_TargetSearches3E4451CECONB25PrecisionTimeHIC_TargetSearches3E4451CECONB25"... OK (123)
   SetCmePendingApps, reason=AppRequests
Updating 'OemInstall' flag...
   Value not changed: OemInstall
**Installing GMT...
EnsureNotRunning(GMT):
   Using 3x Event... Not Listed.
   Using Pre-3x method... Not running.
EnsureAppFilesLockable(GMT):
   Using 3x Event... OK.
   Using Pre-3x method... OK.
Installing GMT...
UnlistApp(GMT)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\stat\GMT, Uninstaller="C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GUninstaller.exe"... OK (0)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\stat\GMT\Settings, WorkingDir="C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT"... OK (0)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\stat\GMT\Settings, GMTExe="C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe"... OK (0)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\dyn, AppPath="C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT"... OK (0)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\dyn, AppExe="GMT.exe"... OK (0)
SUU_DoGainStartMenuItem(C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe):
   Removing current-user Start Menu Program folder for "GAIN"... folder is "C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\GAIN"... didn't exist (OK).
   Creating Start Menu Program folder "C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\GAIN"... OK
   Adding URL to Start Menu Program folder (C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\GAIN\GAIN Website.URL)... OK
   ->OK
   Removing current-user Start Up Menu item for "GStartup"... File is "C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\GStartup.lnk"... didn't exist (OK).
   -> OK
**NOT installing Gator.
**NOT installing Offers.
**Installing CMESys...
EnsureNoAppsRunning:
EnsureNotRunning(CME):
EnsureNotRunning(Gator):
EnsureNotRunning(OfferCompanion):
EnsureNotRunning(GMT):
EnsureAppFilesLockable(CMESys):
Installing CME...
UnlistApp(CME)
Successfully added "CMESys="C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMESys.exe"" to the Start-with-Windows list
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, appPath="C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMESys.exe"... OK (0)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, Uninstall="C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GUninstaller.exe /CME"... OK (0)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, server="gatorcme.gator.com"... OK (0)
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, port=80... OK (0)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, srvPath="gatorcme"... OK (0)
   DelVal HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, log... OK (didn't exist)
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, FirstRun=1... OK (0)
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, PendingApps=1... OK (0)
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, GAINUpgrade="none,3.3.0.5"... OK (0)
   GatorPre3XState:
      Gator state: (never installed?)
      OfferCompanion state: (never installed?)
      WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\CMEII, GatorPre3XState="gator::;offercompanion::"... OK (0)
   -> OK
#STEP_StartApps:
   WriteDW: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\stat, InstallDate=1044708765... OK (0)
   Setting GAIN AIC: Set value to "HIC_TargetSearches"
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\stat, AIC="HIC_TargetSearches"... OK (0)
   Setting GAIN TID: Set value to "3E4451CE"
   WriteSZ: HKLM\software\Gator.com\Gator\stat, GainTid="3E4451CE"... OK (0)
SUL_EnsureAppsRunning()...
   EnsureGatorRunning():
   No 'Restart' command for Gator, trying default cmdline.
   No default commandline for Gator.
   EnsureOffersRunning():
   No 'Restart' command for OfferCompanion, trying default cmdline.
   No default commandline for OfferCompanion.
   EnsureGmtRunning():
   No 'Restart' command for GMT, trying default cmdline.
   Launching "C:\Program Files\Common Files\GMT\GMT.exe /oem"... rslt=success, err=0
   **Client mutex FOUND
   EnsureCMERunning():
   No 'Restart' command for CME, trying default cmdline.
   Launching "C:\Program Files\Common Files\CMEII\CMESys.exe"... rslt=success, err=0
SUL_LaunchSetupApps()...
   (No apps in list)
   DelKey HKLM\software\Gator.com\Setup\Launch... OK (didn't exist)
#STEP_LaunchIndependantExes:
   (None to launch)

SilentSetup completed successfully !!!
Set completion code: "SUCCESS"
LogToServer SENT: SILENTSETUP=END<^E>828957AD-5B35-4063-91C3-2768B5F59304<^E>HIC_TargetSearches<^E>SUCCESS<^E>(no detail)
 
Log closes Sat Feb 08 12:52:54 2003

So there we have it.

Now i can't get the bloody thing uninstalled and I have ad popups on my machine every 2 minutes!!!

AAARRGGHHH!!

Where's my copy of AdAware?

If anyone knows how to get rid of this please help!!!

Cheers,
AndyC

[KennyR]

You can only get rid of GAIN if you get rid of the app it was installed with. Gain is a lame advertising tool some idiot dreamed up to take over from shareware fees.

You probably (but not necessarily!) got GAIN from a copy of Kazaa. Remove it, and GAIN should go too. If you really have to use a p2p client, go for KazaaLite, which has no adware.

I general, I found it useful to use System Mechanic to find all the adware references in startup and delete them. You'll recognise them straight away. Also delete the CMEII drawer.

[chris]

What's more annoying, is that you combat one annoyance (pop-up ads, programs installing behind your back, etc), and another one comes along:

I quite often (and they are increasing in number at a fair rate), get Microsoft Networking broadcast messages (advertising "pr0n" and "warez") showing on my screen on this 2000 box.  I have no need to receive them at all, so disabling them completely would do the trick.  Trouble is, I have no idea how to do this.  I'm tempted to stop the Messenger service but am reluctant to do so in case it breaks something else.  Might give it a try anyway... those messages are really starting to irritate me.

Sooner I get an AmigaOne and a decent web browser for it (even if I have to boot into Linux to use Mozilla), the better.

Chris

[Alkemyst]

LOL Golly.

NO way am i installing windows.

Check this out.
 
http://www.hevanet.com/peace/microsoft.htm

[Blomberg]

chris wrote:
I quite often (and they are increasing in number at a fair rate), get Microsoft Networking broadcast messages (advertising "pr0n" and "warez") showing on my screen on this 2000 box.  I have no need to receive them at all, so disabling them completely would do the trick.  Trouble is, I have no idea how to do this.  I'm tempted to stop the Messenger service but am reluctant to do so in case it breaks something else.  Might give it a try anyway... those messages are really starting to irritate me.

I got this which I suspect is the same as what you are talking about ('Tjenesten Messenger' means Messenger Service). I posted about it here and got some kind advice (along with alot of mocking :-D).

I disabled the following services:

Messenger service
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Service

And guess what, they haven't been back since.
And I haven't noticed anything breaking as a result of this, so unless you are certain you need these services, I think it's safe to disable them.

[Helgis75]

That's definitely ONE excellent reason to stay away from the Windows-platform! No way i am installing Windows in my system either! Then Linux makes sense.. :-)

[whabang]

There is this great little program who removes this kind of crap.
It's called Ad-aware.
 :-)

[BouncingAyatollah]

Ouch!

1) Install ZoneAlarm - it's free! Set Internet security to High and manually allow/disallow programs in (obviously) and OUT! Deny anything OUT that you don't expect to go out (Word wants to go online? wtf!? F**k off!)
2) Latest Ad-Aware as others have said, use RefUpdate to keep config database current.
3) Use anything other than M$ software, for everything! MP3 - WinAmp, web/mail NS7.01 or Opera 7.01 More secure, faster.
4) Block popup ads - Opera7.01 and NS7.01 do this automatically if you choose.
5) Block banner ads - AdFree. Note to Wayne, it only blocks common generic servers, not amiga.org ads, honest! :-)
6) Never submit even your e-mail address to any form online unless you TRUST the site. Have 2 e-mail accounts, 1 on PC for trusted/friends. 1 webmail for signing up to stuff.
7) Put this in your Autoexec.bat
regsvr32.exe -u regwizc.dll
8)Use RegCleaner (NOT the M$ similarly named one) to clean/remove stuff from the registry or use regedit and remove stuff (use the above if you're unsure)
9)Do the other million things you need to to get a workable, secure Winbloat system on your Piece of Crap! 8-O

[BouncingAyatollah]

Oh yeah - AVG Antivirus - it's free!

[Paul_Gadd]

Blaming Windows when clearly the user is at fault, totally pathetic

[AndyC]

I downloaded and used AdAware...

It found 44 adware files/executables.

All of them were Gator or WebHancer modules.

Suffice it to say... its gone now!

Cheers,
AndyC

[BouncingAyatollah]

@Paul_Gadd

Blaming Windows when clearly the user is at fault, totally pathetic

I agree, wanting to install only programs they expect? Silly users. LOL!

[Mike_Amiga]

No such problems using Safari on OS X. :-D

Apart from extremely slow text scrolling. :-(

[Paul_Gadd]

wanting to install only programs they expect?

No it is the STUPID USERS who do not read the Disclaimer in software which clearly says it installs additional software which may collect personal info, monitor surfing, serve ads etc,

Dont install/support software with spyware.

[GadgetMaster]

As well as AdAwareuse SpyBot Search And Destroy.

Available here: http://spybot.eon.net.au/

It is more thorough and catches out what AdAware misses.

I agree security  through obscurity is beneficial but not everyone can give up windows and go non-mainstream.