Adware problem ... need some advice

[ElisabethWhispers]

I've gotten an adware problem on my older Dell and it's just not going away.

I use the free Advast! virus program and when I got this computer, a Dell Latitude, I didn't think to add the malwarebytes anti-malware until after this problem started.

Well, last week, I downloaded the free malwarebytes program and it helped some but my computer is just overloaded with crap and ads and it's not working well.

Short of me taking my computer in to be serviced, which I would prefer to not do, does anyone have any advice for me?

The computer's hard drive is pretty empty and so I could reset it. But I'm not that computer savvy (although I take direction well! )

I just wish to get rid of this program that is causing havoc. I cannot find it on my computer's control panel. It must be hiding somewhere?

Help!

Thanks,
Elisabeth

[1Curiousguy]

Jay Lee has a method for cleaning your machine. Not quick or easy, but reliable.

http://www.geekradio.com/2006/06/26/...removal-system

It worked for me on my old HP, hope it helps you, too.

[Guest030824]

Hey maybe we need to bring our computers to you. My computer takes about 30 minutes to start up each day. Perhaps to much on the desk top????

[1Curiousguy]

But it could be, Tucson. Look at your system tray once you finish booting up. How many programs open and run automatically? They all take system resources even to stay in the background.

Depending upon what you're using for firewall/malware/virus protection, that could be a big part of a slowdown. Programs like McAfee are notorious system hogs.

And how often do your run a scan of your machine to find and clean off malware?

I don't know if she would want to get into this as a sideline, but I know a provider up there who is pretty geeky and could probably whip both your's and Elisabeth's computers into shape. I'd have to ask her if she'd do it and what she would charge you for the privilege.

[Unique_Carpenter]

EW:
Yes they hide. And hide very well.
Although you can load various "free for 30 day" programs and probably kill off the BS in your machine, that's going to take some time. And you have the issue of possibly deleting something you need.
And, yes you could reset your machine yourself (you will lose everything), but that's also time consuming (the reload the software part that is) and you have to be careful.
So my two suggestions are spending $ on a higher grade "anti-everything" security program and/or taking it in for service.
If taken in for service, have them wipe and reload software, as that is the least expensive (most techs will just plug your machine into their equipment and let a canned program run that does that).
As for a higher grade anti-everything program, first, the low cost programs are well, low cost, or only good for the free trial period. A higher value program that handles all sorts of things, virus, adware, banner blocking, etc. is worth the cost simply measured against time and frustration (a business person simply can't afford to have a machine off-line). And everyone really needs to have a fully operational licensed anti-everything program just cause there’s so much trash on the internet nowadays. I have had no issues in over a decade.

Tucson: Yes, you have something off in your machine. System tray and Startup subdirectory are first places to look.

As 1Cg mentions, yes there are “non-service center” folks that can straighten out a machine fairly quickly. But there’s still going to be a price of some type, and maybe some software costs regardless. But, similar to other topics on this board, finding someone you can trust is worth it.

[Guest030824]

Every time I try to install any malware program I lose my home page and the tool bar winds up a mess. I will admit I am hopeless when it comes to computers. I would pay more than what this computer is worth to fix it. I bought a new computer that sets in the closet because it has some thing that looks like it is eating up every thing in the memory. I guess I am helpless.... This little Aspire one is the only thing left.

[Luv_da_girls]

You may have a root kit virus on your system.

This generally requires doing a scan from a bootable CD so that your computer does not load Windows before the scan.

You can also try running a boot time scan using the Avast anti-virus software that you already have installed on your system. Go into the Avast user interface, go to "Scan" and then select "Boot-time Scan" from the drop down menu selection. Restart your computer and the scan will run when the computer restarts. You may be prompted during the scan to take certain actions on what the Avast program finds. If this happens, select the "repair all" option. If the program cannot repair the problem, it just deletes the infected file.

You also probably need to reset your browser defaults as well. Do a google search on how to do that for whichever browser you are using. Sometimes browser helper objects get installed in your browser and cause problems.

You can also run a browser cleanup from within the Avast software as well.

Good luck!

[Unique_Carpenter]

Tucson,
You need to find a computer geek service guy.
It's not that expensive. Just stay away from the chain stores.
But yes you have malware, etc, some of which will prevent virus kill programs from loading.

[Guest030824]

I have the Avast set for a complete scan. It has run for over an hour and still shows 0%. I will use this old Dell tonight and let the Avast do it's thing on the Aspire.

[romo2]

Originally Posted by ElisabethWhispers

I've gotten an adware problem on my older Dell and it's just not going away.

I use the free Advast! virus program and when I got this computer, a Dell Latitude, I didn't think to add the malwarebytes anti-malware until after this problem started.

Well, last week, I downloaded the free malwarebytes program and it helped some but my computer is just overloaded with crap and ads and it's not working well.

Short of me taking my computer in to be serviced, which I would prefer to not do, does anyone have any advice for me?

The computer's hard drive is pretty empty and so I could reset it. But I'm not that computer savvy (although I take direction well! )

I just wish to get rid of this program that is causing havoc. I cannot find it on my computer's control panel. It must be hiding somewhere?

Help!

Thanks,
Elisabeth

Try this first to see if there is a root kit:
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/products...i-rootkit.aspx

Then try this:
http://www.superantispyware.com/

[Guest030824]

Avast has run for 6 hours and discovered 7 infected items. I will check in the morning to see if it is finshed. Beelow the complete sweep of the Avast window is the start up test.

[Chica Chaser]

EW, I run malwarebytes. But I will reboot the computer in Safe Mode, then run malwarebytes. Somehow that keeps the little buggers from hiding from the program.

[Guest030824]

I am still on the old Dell waiting for the boot set up to be cleaned. It took close to 9 hours to clean the first time.

[Unique_Carpenter]

CC's comment of starting in safe mode is correct. But if you've not done that before, understand it before doing it.

[Guest030824]

I am back with my Aspire and it works like new. It took for ever bur Avast cleared the junk out of it. It ran over night to do the complete computer. Than it ran all day yesterday to do the boot clean up.