HELP! SPYWARE HAS TAKEN OVER MY COMPUTER!

[Stop_the_War]

the spyware has taken over my computer and put on my desktop BRIGHT RED screen with a centered black box that says "DANGER: SPYWARE". I have tried googling "danger : spyware" and found a site where a person was explaining the same problem I had but it was in French (I only speak Spanish and English) here is the site if anyone can read French:http://www.commentcamarche.net/forum/affich-1336043-spyware-SLIMSHIELD

I have managed to try and stop a recurring problem in which the spyware automatically downloads a program that says "free xxx" and splashes the "free xxx" icons all over the place but my desktop is still taken over and I'm trying to change it.

I have been crying about this. someone please help me.




:argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh: :argh:

[alfredo]

1. A google translation

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.commentcamarche.net%2Fforum%2Faffich-1336043-spyware-SLIMSHIELD&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

[mcscajun]

2. Get and run Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware SE Personal

They do similar things, but have significant overlap; one will find and kill things the other won't.

If you're still having problems after that, get "HijackThis!", available FREE at www.download.com. Now, this program doesn't remove things for you; you install and run this program, and it generates a log file that you then post at one of the tech support areas. A volunteer tech will review your log and post a reply containing instructions on removal of various items identified in the log that have hijacked or are otherwise interfering with your control of your PC.

Where to post the resulting log:
http://www.spywareeliminator.com/forum/
(Registration and login required -- but it's free and they KNOW what're doing)

Read the FAQ, by all means...and Pay Attention to the many places where you are cautioned "Do Not Post Logs In This Forum!!!" They have a separate area in the forum called, appropriately enough, "Hijack This Posting" THAT'S where the logs should go...and ONLY There. Check back in a while (longer on holidays and weekends) until you see a response. You're not paying them, so be patient...someone WILL tell you what to do with the results of your log...and do ONLY what they say, observing any cautions they offer.

You might also consider buying PestPatrol, a very robust killer. :) It's about $50.

After all is said and done, be sure you have a good firewall in place. ZoneAlarm is a great one, and free.

Good luck!

[Berserker]

3. The post above is correct

Download Spybot here: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Download Ad-Aware here: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
After you download BOTH programs make sure you check for updates then run one at a time. There is no need to pay for these type of programs these two free programs are great.
Also make sure you click the immunize button in Spybot.
Spywareblaster is another good program to have installed:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Also if you are using IE as your Browser it would be a good Idea to change to Firefox or Opera as your browser.
Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/
If you insist on using IE get a popup blocker installed.

[Berserker]

4. One correction mcscajun

Hijackthis DOES remove the Items for you but only if you select the correct ones to delete. It is best to use a site like the one you linked to and never try to delete something you don't know what it is. OR you may be starting from scratch and installing everything back in your computer. Which is a really good way to delete all spyware the hard way.

[mcscajun]

5. You're right, I should reword that. I've used HijackThis and just think

about it differently than the other programs I use; hence the confusion.

I'll make it clearer for the next one. Thanks. :)