Okay, running up against a wall on this one. My computer's recently been infected by spyware, and I'm running out of ideas on how to fix it. I've tried spyware removal programs, and all they seem to do is work as a temporary fix; it'll work fine for a while, but within minutes the spyware's managed to reinstall itself. Very annoying. Any suggestions?

do you have a firewall up and running?

Yep. =/

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Get that and u'll be pop up free, screw Internet explorer

Adaware and SpyBot only go so far. You can run Hijackthis and post here or on the Hijack boards, that will show anything that is loaded during bootup.

Also, get the URL of the pop up and then do a search on Google, a lot of times it will lead you to some removal instructions. I have had to download uninstallers from the spyware origin oddly enough.

If you have kids (or just like p0rn), SP2 is your friend.

Get that and u'll be pop up free, screw Internet explorer
Guess you didnt use Internet Explorer from SP2

google is your best friend


and IE rules with SP2 + google tool bar

Try Spy Spweeper too. I use other spyware programs rarely like once every 4-5 months but Spysweeper usually keeps it totally clean and the others never detect anything.

I had this same problem before. Download AVG antivirus to get rid of the spyware. Then download Mozilla. I am running Mozilla Foxfire. I have been pop up free since

Had the same problem Roliel. Do a Google search and download Spybot : Search and Destroy. THen also download Bazooka which can be found at www.Kephyr.xaviermedia.us/spywarescanner/ (http://www.Kephyr.xaviermedia.us/spywarescanner/)

Those two should help you alot. The Bazooka is really good for the adwares that wont go away. If any other problems u could also Download Ad-Aware SE Personal. That also is good. Since ive been running those three programs, my computer has been adware free for a good while.

Good luck

Gwendylin

For Pop-ups, no matter what browser you use, go to www.panicware.com and download Pop-Up Stopper Free. This thing is invincible, free, and doesn't feel intrusive.

Roliel, one of the reasons that you're getting a temporary fix most probably isn't re-infection, but that you've got one of an ever-growing class of parasites that watches and keeps itself installed.

Post us a hijack-this log. Move to SP2. You can have a nice non-infected machine without moving to Firefox. Sure, Firefox is a decent IE alternative but it's not the solution to existing spyware.

[I've said it before, but after ADODB.Stream was fixed, the "big" spyware hole is gone.]

Guess you didnt use Internet Explorer from SP2
yeah unfortunately I'm don't have a legit copy of winxp installed, so I can't install sp2 =) anyways FireFox fits my needs anyways.

I have a legit winxp w/ cd key but I don't wanna reinstall, it's too much trouble.
Anyone know how to change the cd key? hehehe I got a legit version from school long ago.

Meslow, I have a program that can change your key without a reinstall. Get with me and I'll send it to you via e-mail. You won't need your new key either, as this program has a list of like 200 or more compatible keys. However, I am only assuming that a key that works with SP1 will work with SP2. :o

P.S. As far as ethics and legality goes, since you have a legit key but do not want to reinstall, we will say that the program key will substitute for the legit one that you own. :D

>However, I am only assuming that a key that works with SP1 will work with SP2

no

If you have a valid SP1 key you can reinstall and upgrade to SP2 without any problems.

Some keys that work with SP1 will prompt you for activation when you boot up after installing SP2. Happened on one of my machines where I was lazy and just used a keygen key instead of digging up my real key when I installed last.

Ok I have WinXP but don't think SP2 is installed....How would I go about doing this? As I am having the same problems as Roliel.

Just run your windows updater, that will download it on its own if it isn't on your machine. Otherwise go here: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

Thanks Fad, installing now.

no prob kargopants

Meslow, I have a program that can change your key without a reinstall. Get with me and I'll send it to you via e-mail. You won't need your new key either, as this program has a list of like 200 or more compatible keys. However, I am only assuming that a key that works with SP1 will work with SP2. :o

P.S. As far as ethics and legality goes, since you have a legit key but do not want to reinstall, we will say that the program key will substitute for the legit one that you own. :D

Hey Cados hook me up =) email me lotj1@yahoo.com thanks!

Thanks Cados got the email =)

It's amazing, I have SP2, and Google toolbar, and I still get hit with popups at strangecosmos.com, go figure.

haven't gotten a single pop up except for java pop up's