anti-spyware software

You need to look up the specific malware on Google and find instructions on how to remove it.

I've had good luck with a combination of Avast full scan, Superantispyware full scan, Malware Bytes full scan in safe mode, then the free Kaspersky scan. Takes forever but it works. Then make sure to get good real time malware protection.

My best suggestion is to use HijackThis and post the log on one of the spyware help boards - I have had success doing that, though I don't recall which board.

If you take r2's advice, remove any torrent apps or files before running Hijack This. Those boards won't help you if they know you're downloading torrents.

I'd clear my Temporary Files and the Recycle Bin (you are using Windows, I am assuming). Did you run your PC in Safe Mode? When malware appeared on my Windows OS, I'd use Spybot Search & Destroy. Then I'd use a search engine for the filenames, virus, and follow instructions on cleaning up. I've also gone into regedit to search for vestiges of the malware and clear them so the malware isn't around to load and execute on my next reboot.

I have never had to remove a hard drive or buy a new computer owing to malware. Only when the hard drive or motherboard died.

Did you have anti virus protection on your computer?

OP Stay off of the SpywareLounge.

Super Anti-Spyware took some shit off my laptop that nothing else I tried would.

The simplest thing to do is wipe and reinstall operating software and all your apps. Backup files first, of course. Kind of a hassle but it gives you a clean slate, especially if you're not sure where the spyware/malware/virus is hiding/spreading.

The scariest thing is not all malware can even be detected, and you're not even aware it's infected your pc or Mac. This obviously won't help OP but I just wanted to remind people that you can easily pick malware from sketchy sites. Always use an adblocker, which stops at least some malware-spreading ads. And obviously always keep your antivirus up-to-date and active.

A few months ago my Windows 7 desktop started acting somewhat slower than usual, I mean it had occasional hiccups, which are normally very rare. I ran Avast, Spybot Search & Destroyer and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware but they found nothing. I googled some info and ended up downloading RKill (from BleepingComputer) and AdwCleaner and Junkware Removal Tool, both from Malwarebytes. RKill tries to stop malware and adware that can hide during a normal malware scan. After using RKill you should run all your other antivirus or anti-malware software and hopefully they'll catch the malware. In my case to be honest I'm not even sure if anything truly malicious was found but still the hiccups were gone after the scans.

R9 No the scariest thing is that the more anti malware crap you download on your system the more spyware and malware you are loading on to it. Your cure is worse than the disease.

That's what I ended up doing, R8. Geek Squad folks wiped it clean and re-installed programs. Worked like a charm. It was a bit of a hassle. You have to not only backup your files but simple things like:

1. Bookmarks get wiped (yeah not a big deal but still)

2. Re-load all your Windows software

3. Re-install Google Chrome, MS Outlook

4. Re-install all your handy desktop icons

5. Ensure latest version of programs are installed because since your computer/laptop may be a year or more old, some programs have been updated since original computer purchase. Some program features may even have disappeared in the intervening years. Photo Gallery is one which has eliminated an important. But an IT specialist caught it just in time and was able to re-install.

It took me about 2 or 3 days through trial and error to finally get my 'wiped clean' factory re-freshed laptop back to where I had it originally.

If I were more tech savvy, obviously it wouldn't have been such a pain.

R11 Why not just buy a new bloody laptop?

[quote][R9] No the scariest thing is that the more anti malware crap you download on your system the more spyware and malware you are loading on to it. Your cure is worse than the disease.

None of the tools I wrote about are malware or spyware. Unfortunately with malware there just isn't a one single piece of software that's capable of finding all the infections. Believe me, I'd love if there was.

Go to bleepingcomputer.com 's forums. They're legit.

I just got my ASUS 200Xc notebook back from the repair shop where they fixed the charge port that I had seemingly destroyed.

All fine & well, it’s working great. Only thing is that the guys who repaired it are good at their jobs but have this reputation as skeezes especially toward women (which I didn’t know about until they fixed my machine). When I picked up my notebook the grossest repair-guy there was hardcore cruising me and made me feel really uncomfortable, like a piece of meat.

So now I’m a little suspicious that they’ve maybe secretly put a cam or spybot on my ASUS. Is there a way I can check if this is true using free software? Or if not do I have to do a full system wipe/reboot? The tech creeps said they updated my OS already as a gratuity but I didn’t ask them to do that...

You could try the following:

First step: flush the DNS-registry (if you use windows, type ipconfig/flushdns in the Windows command prompt). Most tools do not automatically clean this registry and you have to do it yourself. It might be that ‘cache-poisoning’ has occured on your device, Second tep: clean temp files, history, cookies, etc with your protection tool. Third step: run a registry-cleaning tool. Fourth step: wipe the free-space on your disk (use a free tool like ‘File Shredder’). Final step: run Malwarebytes and/or a virusscanner.

^^sweet, thanks R16.

I’m midway through step 2 and it’s all gravy. I don’t know how to safely clean the registry, though, and correct me if I’m wrong but I don’t think Windows Defender does that. I’m a broke student so I can’t afford a top-end security package for my dumb papers and such. Any recs?

I do a hard drive image once a month and keep them for 6 months

I'm not R16 but CCleaner has been good for me for cleaning the registry, and it's free.

I'd also go out to your programs list and see if anything new was installed. The problem is that if they updated the OS, you could see legitimate newly installed programs.

Oh my Gods, R19. I just went to open my browser for the first time since getting my notebook back and running scans, and the URL in the address bar is for CCleaner. Looks like my repair guys got there first...is this a cause for more concern?

ClamWin

Why don’t y’all get a Mac?

r17 I use AVS registry cleaner. Just check all the boxes of in the ‘scan categories’ window.