You can download Spybot, No Adware or any of the other programs. I can't remember the names of the ones we use offhand. Dweeb knows a lot about this stuff. Maybe you can send her an email. Once you install these programs you should run them regularly. You'll be amazed at the amount of #$@& that they'll detect.
Karyn

Spybot is what I use also..There is also panda activescan.

Good luck!

Spybot is limited to mal-ware, adware and tracker trokans/viruses.

How did you verify that you have a virus? Use the program to delete or quarantine it. I you do not have a Trojan remover or anti-virus program download "Trojan Remover" trial from the web.

Spybot is a very good program and I wouldn't be without it, but mostly it cleans out the garbage hijacker from inscrutable commercial Websites, as well as "unclogs" your browser and those insidious applications installed without your knowledge, that run in the background using your resources.

Tina - here's a list of items you can use to begin cleaning your machine. You have to keep them up to date though, ok? Copy and paste this text into a microsoft word document - the "links" should be come active and you can jump right there and grab these.

I drive these on XP prof and home. These links should work for XP. Are you on Vista? You'll need to look for the versions for Windows Vista.

Free tools

Spybot Search & Destroy:

http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

Ad-Aware from LavaSoft:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

(Use the free version)

AVG Antivirus:

http://free.grisoft.com/

(Free version)

Microsoft Defender:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

(Also free)

These should be a close enough line up to get you cleaned and ready to go. If you want to do an "on line" scan  you can use TrendMicro to do that also.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

ThereÂs also an on line scanner from Panda:

http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/

These are all free.

What was the name of the trojan you were told you have. Be careful - you may have been at a site that throws you a "false" warning that looks legit. They want you to "hit" the button.

Those losers have too much time on their hands.

I'm the resident dork in most circles (built dozens of computers, etc., about to go for my A+ certification)

if none of that helps, best thing you can do is download hijackthis from http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/_download/HJTInstall.exe and save the log and post it for me to take a look at. hopefully I can help you remove it the offending virus.

You may not be too badly infected - it just depends on what it is and how bad it is.

You'll run these all first (it's gonna take you a while) - and then see where you go from there.

AVG also has a spyware cleaner also.

If you layer your protection - some overlap duties - you should find yourself adequately protected.

Make sure you bring down that AVG anti-virus.

And the next question - did you recently install something? A "free" piece of software? Or go to some on line game?

I wasn't going to have her try to run Hijack this until she ran these others.

Wasn't sure she would be able to get to the boards and post her log.

I have tried all day to install and run spy bot. I know I have adware that I can't figure out how to get rid of. It would run the scan and almost finish then the whole computer shuts down. Not goes to sleep. Actually shuts off. I have been trying all afternoon. What would cause this?

Hello Dweeb, help, lol.

What are you running? Spybot? Adaware by Lavasoft?

You need to tell me that first. None of these applications should cause this.

You're saying "Spy bot" but are you using the Spybot from safer-networking?

And let's first off make sure you're not on Vista. Are you on XP or vista - let's start there.

If you're on Vista - and if you know it's adware - get adaware from lavasoft-usa. (I keep meaning to donate to all those guys who keep up the good fight.)

I used the link you provided above and downloaded it from cnet. I have windows XP. I uninstalled it and reinstalled it twice. I keep getting a notice saying something is trying to change my search engine so I was trying to get rid of it. I have a toolbar that I think is adware that came when I downloaded smiley central that I can't figure out how to get rid of. I have been getting a lot of spam mail also and don't open it but Yahoo mail is not catching it.

F4F

I have had this happen, would not allow Spybot Search and Destroy to get installed. You need to try other measures. Have to get some kind of registry fix, if you cannot get some other detector installed. but to get that fix is a problem, in that you have to identify the source.
Once you have, say, Adware, as dweeb suggested, If it works, you can find out which hijacker you are dealing with, and if necessary do a search for a fix with google.

That malware hijacker is probably the search engine that wants to take over, leaving messages to confuse you.

But------
masterfully malevolently, they got you. ~~> can be a problem, once you have the malware, spyware, hijackers. Some are a b**th to get rid of After so many hours fussing with it, it was easier to reinstall windows on a clean drive, for me - but backup first.

I had to do that once before and it was not fun. It did let it install but when it did the scan it would shut down when it was about 80% done every time. I went back and restored my computer to the 1st. Maybe I should go back farther.

Ok - hang on - dealt with that one before.

Let me locate the instructions for you. If it's the same one - it's relatively easy to fix. I'll email you the instructions.

While I'm doing that - open spybot and check the "start ups" - and see if there is anything there that looks "strange" to you.

And next - open your IE and go to manage add ons and disable that "add on" tool bar - whatever it's called.

I'll find you the fix for that stupid emoticon.

Emailed you instructions for Smiley Face Central removal.

You can choose to run Hijack this - but these instructions should take care of this - Spybot Search & Destroy can clean this one also.

You have to go through the "uninstall" process first.

guess I am chopped liver, Dweeb

What Ox - ya want me to email you the removal instructions? It's a starting point for her.

I didn't know you had that smiley central also.

I can email you the instructions too if you want.

Thanks Dweeb, I am going to work on it tonight. I should probably take it to someone. Every time I try to anything more than use add and delete I screw up something, lol. Not very good at the registry stuff. Is there anything I can do to get rid of all the people in Nigeria trying to send me millions of dollars, lol. I am so tired of all those spam mails.

Damn!! do what I say Kristy, sorry but I have had enough of Dweeb, and her ignoring my posts. I have the experience to know what to do. I know Windows, and the Hijackers that will persist. Contrary to her opinion there is no easy fix. You may have a big problem. do a clean install of windows, and avoid all the hassle of trying to fix a complicated virus that will rewrite itself, as a resident in the registry or boot sector or even the Cmoss!!, ~~>No matter what you do!!!

I have BEEN THERE!!! ~~>With a full format. -=Trust me=- it is the easiest way to go. Save your time and energy.
do it.

regards, Barry

Ox:

Number 1 Â they asked for my input.

Number 2 Â I didnÂt ignore your post. I offered to send you the instructions so you could also see how she can remove that application that was installed.

I carry 8 Microsoft certifications  with Security specializations.

IÂve run an IT organization. But you know what?

YouÂre absolutely right. YouÂre the only one that knows what to do. YouÂre the only one who is qualified to give answers and solutions.

YouÂre solution is the only one that someone should consider. If itÂs possible sheÂs only got a "blown fuse" in her house  youÂre right. The only solution she should consider is rewiring her entire house.

Jeez Ox  she hasnÂt run through the diagnostics and other apps. You donÂt even know what it is  and youÂre telling her she has to do a complete wipe. ThatÂs not "experience" Ox.

YouÂve got some real issues and flaming me in the forum isnÂt going to fix them.

You post was entirely uncalled for. I wonÂt subject the forum to anything further on this subject with you.

I swaped to linux about a year and a half ago havent had a problem since,except the learning curv.I still use windows for some programs that arnt linux compatible but I only get online with linux Im using it right now highly recommend its free.

Yeh, thats the point.. ocdplants, Linux never has these virus issues.