SpeedRacer 1 #1 March 26, 2006 I'm not a computer geek so I'm just finding out about this. I bought this computer with a lot of software already installed on it. But I'm pretty sure it didn't have this so-called anti-spyware called Pest Trap on it. I could be wrong though. It launches an alarming message that your computer is infected with a bunch of malware or spyware, and prompts you to click on a link to their website where you can buy their anti-spyware for about 50 bucks. The message windows launched by Pest Trap stay up on your desktop no matter what you do. And from what I've been reading, this program generates a bunch of false positives. And I went to Consumer Reports & found that there's a bunch of good anti-spyware that's cheaper or free, one on microsoft's own website that rated very high. When I tried to get rid of Pest Trap using Remove Program, I got a message that I needed to Exit the Program before un-installing it. But there was no way to exit from Pest Trap! I had to use the Task Manager to end the process before I could remove the program. It seems to me that this Pest-Trap anti-spyware is itself a type of malware. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #2 March 26, 2006 Just go get the MS tool, and go to http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5 Download Adaware then update it. Run it and see who much stuff those two find.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #3 March 26, 2006 Quote It seems to me that this Pest-Trap anti-spyware is itself a type of malware. Yup "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #4 March 27, 2006 bumping this up as a warning to others. I've been doing a little research & apparently there are like a dozen or more rogue anti-spyware programs floating around out there. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #5 April 6, 2006 OK maybe someone can help me. Everytime I get on the web I get a message popping up that I should download WinAntiVirusPro, and even when I click to close it, a website from www.amaena.com pops up offering me to download it. (edited to add, WinAntiVirusPro is not actually from Microsoft. It is rogue software.) I've tried deleting cookies & running a REAL anti-spyware program, but the damn thing keeps popping up! How do I get rid of it??? Help! Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cameramonkey 0 #6 April 6, 2006 Quotepopping up! How do I get rid of it??? Help! you arent gonna like the answer... the article below is making the rounds today... (as a pro in this field, I have been using this method for the last 18 months as its the only guaranteed way to fix... spent too many wasted hours trying in vain to remove the crap. oh what I wouldnt do for an hour in a room with a rubber hose and one of these idiots that put this crap out) http://www.theregister.com/2006/04/05/ms_security_mea_culpa/ in short... "The latest types of malware are so potent that organisations should forget about trying to cleanse infected systems, a top Microsoft security officer has advised. Mike Danseglio, a program manager in Microsoft's security group, said firms should think about establishing a process for backup and recovering rather than relying on anti-virus tools as a way of recovering from malware infection. "When you are dealing with rootkits and some advanced spyware programs, the only solution is to rebuild from scratch. In some cases, there really is no way to recover without nuking the systems from orbit," Mike Danseglio, a program manager in Microsoft's security group, told a security conference in Florida."Two wrongs don't make a right, however three lefts DO! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #7 April 6, 2006 I like the Flatten and REbuild option myself. Install OS. Install Antivirus. Install Antispyware from MS. Then plug in the network and connect to Windows Update for ALL of the patches the Operating System needs. Then install the things you currently are using... Then BACK to Windows Update to patch any of the programs you installed ( ie MS Office) We do it all the time in the Data Center...althou its automated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #8 April 6, 2006 When you consider the damage it does to people's work & so forth, I really think there needs to be more SEVERE punishment for people who put this crap out. In fact, a candidate for 2008 should mention it. It would score points with a lot of people. anyway I just found out that the program had somehow altered my homepage. I corrected it, then deleted cookies & temporary internet files again. so far the shit hasn't come back. I don't think I have reached the point where I need to re-format my hard drive. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Balls 0 #9 April 6, 2006 yeah, they f*ing suck. I've been trying to get rid of "Spyware Quake" for a week now. I think it's gone, but I have this bad feeling that as soon as I restart my computer that it will all be back again. If I ever find out who programs these things....---------------------------------------- ....so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #10 April 6, 2006 How about this: If someone is convicted of producing a virus or other malware, in addition to fines/prison sentences, they have to submit to regular visits from the FBI to look through their computers. If it is found that they have any other computer accounts that are undisclosed, they go back to prison. Sounds like a terrible invasion of privacy for them, but when you fuck with other people you deserve to lose your rights to privacy. That's the way it works: with freedom comes responsiblity & respect for your fellow citizens. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #11 April 6, 2006 Removal for SpywareQuake. http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_139050.htmYesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #12 April 8, 2006 Bumped up to recommend something: If you have Internet Explorer, go to Tools/Internet Options/Security & click on Restricted Sites. Add www.amaena.com to your Restricted Sites. (prefix it with http://). This site is evil. It installs something called a "blackworm" & pops up ads for rogue anti-spyware. Speed Racer -------------------------------------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
