think your pc is virus free, don't be so sure !!

simonkit

simonkit

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I run 3 anti-virus/spyware software applications on my PC & thought until recently that everything was fine until it starting running a little slower than normal - I ran all the anti-virus applications but all showed no viruses. A friend at work though mentioned "malwarebytes" so I downloaded the free version & gave it a try, to my suprise if found 7 high risk pieces of spyware - they've now been removed & the PC is running much faster & much safer !!

This isn't a plug for software just a suggestion that it's well worth trying this, just use the free version:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/




Simon
 
I can vouch for malwarebytes anti-malware.

A few months back I caught an advert on a site trying to install a trojan (thanks to spybot). I stopped it, but ended up with a corrupt installer that could not be removed. I went through so many products trying to remove it to no avail (every reboot the installer would re-appear, and then flail around as a needed component of it had been stopped). In the end I found out about the malwarebytes product through the Hijack-this forum and promptly sorted my PC out.

Note, like Hijack-this, Malwarebyte's anti-malware should be used carefully and with guidance if you do not know what you're doing as a wrong edit/choice can trash your PC.
 
+1 :thumbs:
 
+2 Malwarebytes along with CCleaner will keep you nice and clean.
 
In fairness, spyware and viruses are technically different, your Antivirus programs in all likelihood won't be looking for that sort of thing anyway.
 
divine` said:
In fairness, spyware and viruses are technically different, your Antivirus programs in all likelihood won't be looking for that sort of thing anyway.
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Fair comment ...I used antivirus more as a "figure of speech"...I previously used Spybot / adaware and the spyware built into my antivirus software - none of these 3 picked up the 7 spyware applications on my PC that Malware found

Simon
 
Simon

Thanks for the tip have downloaded it I had 161 on my computer it is now running much faster.

Regards

Pete
 
pete-c said:
Simon

Thanks for the tip have downloaded it I had 161 on my computer it is now running much faster.

Regards

Pete
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Steve Smith said:
If it's a competition, mine is running now and is up to 266 at the moment!


Steve.
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:lol: Here was me thinking the one 'Worm' it picked up on the quick scan was bad! I dread to think of the kind of sites you two visit :naughty:.

Thank for the tip Simon :thumbs: I'm currently running a full scan to see if there is anymore.
 
use avast and run Malwarebytes every week,found 3 bad registry entrys 2 months ago,know now which sites to avoid :thumbs:
 
Steve Smith said:
I have two children who use the computer. I dread to think about the kind of sites they visit too.


Steve.
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google K9 web protection. its free and very good for ensuring your kids internet usage is not harming them. I have it installed on all the computers in my family and extended family. the kids hate me, but id rather that than them seeing some of the rubbish on the net!
 
I spent a few hours fixing my wife's puter at the weekend. Using both malwarebytes and cccleaner. Only 1160 problems found and removed. That's not bad for her.

And she wonders why I insist she does the company bookkeeping on another computer.
 
it doesnt start on mine everytime:)
 
Kerioak said:
Is there anyway of loading it without it starting everytime you start you machine - I have enough running without adding more and just wanted to try it out?
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If you are running windows and can't find an option within the program itself to turn of windows start up self-launch then go to start > run and type 'msconfig'.
The system configuration dialogue box will appear with tabs along the top, go to startup and uncheck the software. To be sure go to the services tab and turn off any that you think may be related to the program but make sure you tick 'hide all microsoft services' so you don't end up disabling something you shouldn't.

Steven.
 
There are a couple of places things will auto-run from :

1) Windows Services....go to Start -> Run -> Type in 'services.msc'
2) The 'startup' folder in your Start menu
3) The registry, either :
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
or
HKCU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run

Generally speaking you can kill off anything in the registry auto-run or startup menu without breaking your PC.....but changing service auto-startup options might arse up your machine.

PS dont' touch the registry unless you know what you're doing ;)
 
I ran this program and it came back with zero!! My free internet security from Virgin broadband is doing a good job I suppose especially considering some of the dodgy sites I visit ;) and all the installing and un-installing of random programs that I do.
 
neil_g said:
i wouldnt just go randomly turning off services, microsoft ones or 3rd party ones. it may affect other software you have installed.
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It isn't random if you know what you are doing, the OP has the choice to do this if he feels comfortable doing it, I didn't advise him to uncheck a load of random boxes.
 
Steve Smith said:
If it's a competition, mine is running now and is up to 266 at the moment!


Steve.
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Ok, I just had 2636 removed, most of which said videoegg, I checked it out and discovered BEBO has a lot to answer for, if you have kids on the pc get them away from bebo.
 
What's the betting all those with problems are browsing with Internet Explorer?
 
hsuffyan said:
google K9 web protection. its free and very good for ensuring your kids internet usage is not harming them. I have it installed on all the computers in my family and extended family. the kids hate me, but id rather that than them seeing some of the rubbish on the net!
Click to expand...


Awesome tip, downloaded and installed. Thank you sir :)
 
I'm using IE8 (with vipre anti-virus/anti spyware) and also got zero. So I'm happy!
 
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