I just downloaded the latest version of Spybot Search & Destroy, with all the latest updates, on one of the Windows machines. When I ran it, it found quite a few problems (mostly cookies). Whenever I try to actually fix them, the program hangs, and has to be killed with the Task Manager. Anyone know what might be up?

[Evening update]

As some in comments suggested, I tried CCleaner. It was a martyr for the cause, dying before exiting. But it seemed to do the job. I ran Spybot afterward (two or three times) and it finally cleaned up all the issues. Or at least it said it did. We'll see how it goes.

try fixing the problems one at a time. Also, try Ad-aware. Ad-aware and spybot both catch slightly different things, but there is some overlap.

Yes… run both in some cases you may need to start windows in safe mode then run both. I have found this to be the best method. I would also run them both a second time just before rebooting. The hackers have had a lot of time to find ways to entrench themselves in the OS.

Try CCleaner. Run that, then the new Spybot runs fine. I had the same problem, and a friend told me about the CCleaner software, it works like a charm.

I use a Spybot AND Ad-Aware AND AVG. None will remove all malware by themselves, but between all three you can usually be successful.

If you have malware running, (other than cookies and registry keys) disconnect from the internet when cleaning! With malware, removing a task or file can often trigger a new task. Or on reboot between cleaning passes, a task that hasn't been cleaned out yet will re-download what you've already removed.

My tactic is to keep a directory on my own machine, with the install programs for the programs mentioned above plus registry cleaners, etc. When any computer I support gets infected, I download the latest versions or updates, burn the directory to a CD, disconnect the infected PC from the network, and install the programs off the CD.

The CD also includes MSConfig from WinXP, to install onto Win2000 machines. MSConfig (Hit Start / Run / msconfig) is a good tool to see what programs are loaded by the registry on startup. Anything I'm sure I don't like, I remove manually with regedit before rebooting and installing the anti-malware software.

I dumped Spybot, even tho' I'd "donated", we all do, right?
Now I just run ad-aware (donated, didn't buy so no "real time" protection) and spyware blaster and the only cookies or whatever I ever find are the post file update ones.
M

what you can't win against the insurgent viruses and
spw-ware?

Hey Rand

Buy a Mac

:)

Dennis

I've never really worried about cookies. They're pretty harmless - and removing them en-masse will also remove all your blog name/email storage.

Anyonmous has a point - the obviously correct solution is to never have had a computer at all, or to give up and just buy a new one.

(While leaving the old one plugged in and not updated so it can become a spammer/DDoS zombie, but that's not your concern, since you're not interfering! And what about PC sovereignty? Who cares if it gets used to attack other machines, it's not a direct threat to you.)

(One wonders if he even bothers to think through his snark before posting it. Well, actually, one doesn't wonder, since he obviously doesn't.

Also, why is "you" followed by "!" marked as questionable content?)

Nah.

This domain name stuff is Lame-Oh with a capital "L" even if some of the names are kinda cool.

What I propose is that NewSpace SELL media and marketing opportunties which in turn promote NewSpace memes within the larger American meme-o-sphere. Create a self reinforcing upwards spiral of attention and money.

BUYING meme-space is a fool's game.

And remember, a space tourist may very well spend X dollars to fly, generating X dollars of revenue for the NewSpace provider. A space tourist wearing a logo flight suit will generate revenue of X + Y.

Heh! Wrong thread. Sorry.

Also, why is "you" followed by "!" marked as questionable content?

Because I was getting a slew of comment and trackback spams with that phrase in them. I figure that exclamation marks are sufficiently unnecessary that I'd prefer to do without the spam.

You might consider this for an overall security regimen from several local (to me) gurus:

http://www.securitytango.com/

They also recommend AdAware and Spybot, used in combination.

From anon: "what you can't win against the insurgent viruses and
spw-ware?"

Well seeing as a number of viruses come from around the Baltic region and from Southeast Asia I would actually call these nasty programs a form of electronic warfare.

Some malware applications can become so entrenched that the only effective way to remove them is to reimage the machine. Most of the time before you get to that point you can cripple the malware files to the point were they become less of a nuisance if any at all with the numerous removal programs out there. The spyware/malware will spawn processes into the temp directories that reappear after the directories are dumped. With apps like Process Explorer and HijackThis! you can see which string of files and .dll's are causing the activity. Then, you can boot up into a WindowsPE or ERDCommander and then deny your OS'S permissions to the problem files.