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Uninstalling annoying program



 
 
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  #1  
Old June 6th 04, 02:19 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Uninstalling annoying program

I was somehow infected by a most annoying web cam porm
program. This damn thing pops up periodically. I
initially went to the uninstall feature in trying to do
away with it but that did not seem to resolve the
problem. How does one get rid of this most annoying
pest?

Grateful for any advice in eradicating this annoyance.

RW
  #2  
Old June 7th 04, 10:42 AM
Sandi - Microsoft MVP
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Uninstalling annoying program

There are many people who have helped this FAQ improve over time - MVPs and
newsgroup users. I thank all of you who have made the newsgroups,
anti-malware websites and dedicated mailing lists into such a wonderful
resource.

IMPORTANT: Before trying to remove spyware, download a copy of LSPFIX from
the URL below - some malware can kill your internet connection when it is
removed, and this software should get things going for you again:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

IMPORTANT: After obtaining the software below, make sure you check for
updates and then run the programmes in safe mode.

You can go to the link below to check your system for parasites (supplied by
Doxdesk.com):
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

Malware removal (beginners guide):

First, go to Control Panel, add/remove programs. Check for malware entries
and use the uninstall programs.

Second, get AdAware. [..Warning: AdAware is now version 6.181. All previous
versions are NO LONGER SUPPORTED and will not be updated...]

AdAware is available at www.lavasoft.de. Make sure you check for updates
every time you use it.

To be most effective, you must run AdAware while Windows is in safe mode.

Modern malware uses more than one process, and these processes are
'co-dependent'. In other words, when one processes detects that the other
has been shut down, it automatically restarts its sibling, often using a
different name.

Disable the ability of suspect processes to start automatically by using
MSCONFIG (startup tab) before booting into safe mode. Use the information
at the URL below as a guide:

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm

Reboot your computer and hold down the F8 key until the boot menu options
appear. Select 'safe mode'. After you are in safe mode, check to make sure
the suspect processes did not start up. If they did start up, we are going
to have to track down *where* they are coming from before going any further.
An experienced computer technician can use programme such as AutoStart
Viewer for in-depth diagnosis:
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=asviewer

While still in safe mode, and after you have shut down as many malware
processes as possible, start AdAware. AdAware, when run using default
settings, simply does not cope with new 'intelligent' malware. Make sure
'activate in depth scan' is enabled. Select 'use custom scanning options'
and then click on the 'customize' button. Turn on the following scan
options - scan within archives, active processes, registry (including deep
scan), IE favorites and hosts file. You must also turn on the following
option via the 'tweak' button:

Cleaning engine: 'automatically try to unregister objects prior to deletion'

IMPORTANT: Before letting AdAware delete malware, write down on a piece of
paper exactly where the malware is stored. You will need to delete those
directories after AdAware has done its work, but ONLY IF IT IS NOT A
STANDARD WINDOWS DIRECTORY.

After running AdAware, run it again, this time using the option 'select
drives/folders to scan'. Click on 'select'. Scan your entire hard drive.
Also do the following:

Empty your IE cache and your other temporary file folders, eg:
c:\windows\temp (if using Windows 98) or C:\Documents and
Settings\name\Local Settings\Temp (the path to your temp folder will
change depending on your name) - sometimes programmes can be hidden in
there - watch out for mysterious *.exe files or *.dll files in those
folders.

Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Temporary Internet Files {Settings
Button}, View Objects, Downloaded Programme Files. Check for unusual objects
there.

Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Accessibility. Make sure there is no
style sheet chosen (under User Style Sheet - format documents using my style
sheet). If the option is turned on, turn it OFF.

It is possible to turn off third party extensions (Enable third-party
browser extensions (requires restart) at IE tools, internet options,
advanced) to disable *all* plug-ins but troubleshooting will be difficult
and it is only a BANDAID. Nothing gets fixed. There is software that
depends on 'third party browser extensions" to work, including Acrobat,
Microsoft Money, and many other programmes.

Once your computer is clean, and if it applies to your operating system,
create a new restore point. Your old ones may, of course, be infected with
the malware and therefore cannot be used. Run disk cleanup to remove old
restore points (if you operating system has this option you will find it on
the 'more options' tab of the disk cleanup utility).

If you are still having problems:

You can go to the link below to check your system for parasites and
hopefully identify your problem (supplied by Doxdesk.com):

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

Download and run the latest version of "Cool Web Shredder"
http://www.merijn.org/files/CWShredder.exe

The more experienced user can try Spybot. Again, it is a free programme
which can be downloaded from: http://spybot.eon.net.au/. Warning: it is NOT
a good programme for the inexperienced. If you want to use this programme,
please get the advice of those more experienced before 'fixing' anything
that it finds.

Another excellent programme that allows you to examine your system and
*create a results log for experts to examine* is HijackThis, available from:
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

MS have released a limited KB article regarding what they call 'deceptive
software'.
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;827315

Here is advice specific to:

home page hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers.htm#home_page

pop-up ads
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/popup.htm

search engine hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers4.htm#search_engine


--
Hyperlinks are used to ensure advice remains current
_______________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/



wrote:
I was somehow infected by a most annoying web cam porm
program. This damn thing pops up periodically. I
initially went to the uninstall feature in trying to do
away with it but that did not seem to resolve the
problem. How does one get rid of this most annoying
pest?

Grateful for any advice in eradicating this annoyance.

RW


  #3  
Old June 12th 04, 05:52 AM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Uninstalling annoying program

Sandi,

Thank you for your reply. This techno peasant will try
and follow the instructions you have detailed and see what
results I get. Most appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
There are many people who have helped this FAQ improve

over time - MVPs and
newsgroup users. I thank all of you who have made the

newsgroups,
anti-malware websites and dedicated mailing lists into

such a wonderful
resource.

IMPORTANT: Before trying to remove spyware, download a

copy of LSPFIX from
the URL below - some malware can kill your internet

connection when it is
removed, and this software should get things going for

you again:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

IMPORTANT: After obtaining the software below, make sure

you check for
updates and then run the programmes in safe mode.

You can go to the link below to check your system for

parasites (supplied by
Doxdesk.com):
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

Malware removal (beginners guide):

First, go to Control Panel, add/remove programs. Check

for malware entries
and use the uninstall programs.

Second, get AdAware. [..Warning: AdAware is now version

6.181. All previous
versions are NO LONGER SUPPORTED and will not be

updated...]

AdAware is available at www.lavasoft.de. Make sure you

check for updates
every time you use it.

To be most effective, you must run AdAware while Windows

is in safe mode.

Modern malware uses more than one process, and these

processes are
'co-dependent'. In other words, when one processes

detects that the other
has been shut down, it automatically restarts its

sibling, often using a
different name.

Disable the ability of suspect processes to start

automatically by using
MSCONFIG (startup tab) before booting into safe mode.

Use the information
at the URL below as a guide:

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm

Reboot your computer and hold down the F8 key until the

boot menu options
appear. Select 'safe mode'. After you are in safe mode,

check to make sure
the suspect processes did not start up. If they did start

up, we are going
to have to track down *where* they are coming from before

going any further.
An experienced computer technician can use programme such

as AutoStart
Viewer for in-depth diagnosis:
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=asviewer

While still in safe mode, and after you have shut down as

many malware
processes as possible, start AdAware. AdAware, when run

using default
settings, simply does not cope with new 'intelligent'

malware. Make sure
'activate in depth scan' is enabled. Select 'use custom

scanning options'
and then click on the 'customize' button. Turn on the

following scan
options - scan within archives, active processes,

registry (including deep
scan), IE favorites and hosts file. You must also turn on

the following
option via the 'tweak' button:

Cleaning engine: 'automatically try to unregister objects

prior to deletion'

IMPORTANT: Before letting AdAware delete malware, write

down on a piece of
paper exactly where the malware is stored. You will need

to delete those
directories after AdAware has done its work, but ONLY IF

IT IS NOT A
STANDARD WINDOWS DIRECTORY.

After running AdAware, run it again, this time using the

option 'select
drives/folders to scan'. Click on 'select'. Scan your

entire hard drive.
Also do the following:

Empty your IE cache and your other temporary file

folders, eg:
c:\windows\temp (if using Windows 98) or C:\Documents

and
Settings\name\Local Settings\Temp (the path to your

temp folder will
change depending on your name) - sometimes programmes can

be hidden in
there - watch out for mysterious *.exe files or *.dll

files in those
folders.

Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Temporary Internet

Files {Settings
Button}, View Objects, Downloaded Programme Files. Check

for unusual objects
there.

Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Accessibility. Make

sure there is no
style sheet chosen (under User Style Sheet - format

documents using my style
sheet). If the option is turned on, turn it OFF.

It is possible to turn off third party extensions (Enable

third-party
browser extensions (requires restart) at IE tools,

internet options,
advanced) to disable *all* plug-ins but troubleshooting

will be difficult
and it is only a BANDAID. Nothing gets fixed. There is

software that
depends on 'third party browser extensions" to work,

including Acrobat,
Microsoft Money, and many other programmes.

Once your computer is clean, and if it applies to your

operating system,
create a new restore point. Your old ones may, of

course, be infected with
the malware and therefore cannot be used. Run disk

cleanup to remove old
restore points (if you operating system has this option

you will find it on
the 'more options' tab of the disk cleanup utility).

If you are still having problems:

You can go to the link below to check your system for

parasites and
hopefully identify your problem (supplied by Doxdesk.com):

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

Download and run the latest version of "Cool Web Shredder"
http://www.merijn.org/files/CWShredder.exe

The more experienced user can try Spybot. Again, it is a

free programme
which can be downloaded from: http://spybot.eon.net.au/.

Warning: it is NOT
a good programme for the inexperienced. If you want to

use this programme,
please get the advice of those more experienced

before 'fixing' anything
that it finds.

Another excellent programme that allows you to examine

your system and
*create a results log for experts to examine* is

HijackThis, available from:
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

MS have released a limited KB article regarding what they

call 'deceptive
software'.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-

US;827315

Here is advice specific to:

home page hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers.htm#home_page

pop-up ads
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/popup.htm

search engine hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers4.htm#search_engine


--
Hyperlinks are used to ensure advice remains current
_______________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/



wrote:
I was somehow infected by a most annoying web cam porm
program. This damn thing pops up periodically. I
initially went to the uninstall feature in trying to do
away with it but that did not seem to resolve the
problem. How does one get rid of this most annoying
pest?

Grateful for any advice in eradicating this annoyance.

RW


.

  #4  
Old June 13th 04, 02:11 PM
Sandi - Microsoft MVP
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Uninstalling annoying program

You're more than welcome.

--
Hyperlinks are used to ensure advice remains current
_______________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/



wrote:
Sandi,

Thank you for your reply. This techno peasant will try
and follow the instructions you have detailed and see what
results I get. Most appreciated.

-----Original Message-----
There are many people who have helped this FAQ improve over time -
MVPs and newsgroup users. I thank all of you who have made the
newsgroups, anti-malware websites and dedicated mailing lists into
such a wonderful resource.

IMPORTANT: Before trying to remove spyware, download a copy of
LSPFIX from the URL below - some malware can kill your internet
connection when it is removed, and this software should get things
going for you again:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

IMPORTANT: After obtaining the software below, make sure you check
for updates and then run the programmes in safe mode.

You can go to the link below to check your system for parasites
(supplied by Doxdesk.com):
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

Malware removal (beginners guide):

First, go to Control Panel, add/remove programs. Check for malware
entries and use the uninstall programs.

Second, get AdAware. [..Warning: AdAware is now version 6.181. All
previous versions are NO LONGER SUPPORTED and will not be updated...]

AdAware is available at www.lavasoft.de. Make sure you check for
updates every time you use it.

To be most effective, you must run AdAware while Windows is in safe
mode.

Modern malware uses more than one process, and these processes are
'co-dependent'. In other words, when one processes detects that the
other has been shut down, it automatically restarts its sibling,
often using a different name.

Disable the ability of suspect processes to start automatically by
using MSCONFIG (startup tab) before booting into safe mode.

Use the information
at the URL below as a guide:

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm

Reboot your computer and hold down the F8 key until the boot menu
options appear. Select 'safe mode'. After you are in safe mode,
check to make sure the suspect processes did not start up. If they
did start up, we are going to have to track down *where* they are
coming from before going any further. An experienced computer
technician can use programme such as AutoStart Viewer for in-depth
diagnosis: http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=asviewer

While still in safe mode, and after you have shut down as many
malware processes as possible, start AdAware. AdAware, when run
using default settings, simply does not cope with new 'intelligent'
malware. Make sure 'activate in depth scan' is enabled. Select
'use custom scanning options' and then click on the 'customize'
button. Turn on the following scan options - scan within archives,
active processes, registry (including deep scan), IE favorites and
hosts file. You must also turn on the following option via the
'tweak' button:

Cleaning engine: 'automatically try to unregister objects prior to
deletion'

IMPORTANT: Before letting AdAware delete malware, write down on a
piece of paper exactly where the malware is stored. You will need
to delete those directories after AdAware has done its work, but
ONLY IF IT IS NOT A STANDARD WINDOWS DIRECTORY.

After running AdAware, run it again, this time using the option
'select drives/folders to scan'. Click on 'select'. Scan your
entire hard drive. Also do the following:

Empty your IE cache and your other temporary file folders, eg:
c:\windows\temp (if using Windows 98) or C:\Documents and
Settings\name\Local Settings\Temp (the path to your temp folder
will change depending on your name) - sometimes programmes can be
hidden in there - watch out for mysterious *.exe files or *.dll
files in those folders.

Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Temporary Internet Files {Settings
Button}, View Objects, Downloaded Programme Files. Check for unusual
objects there.

Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Accessibility. Make sure there is
no style sheet chosen (under User Style Sheet - format documents
using my style sheet). If the option is turned on, turn it OFF.

It is possible to turn off third party extensions (Enable third-party
browser extensions (requires restart) at IE tools, internet options,
advanced) to disable *all* plug-ins but troubleshooting will be
difficult and it is only a BANDAID. Nothing gets fixed. There is
software that depends on 'third party browser extensions" to work,
including Acrobat, Microsoft Money, and many other programmes.

Once your computer is clean, and if it applies to your operating
system, create a new restore point. Your old ones may, of course,
be infected with the malware and therefore cannot be used. Run disk
cleanup to remove old restore points (if you operating system has
this option you will find it on the 'more options' tab of the disk
cleanup utility).

If you are still having problems:

You can go to the link below to check your system for parasites and
hopefully identify your problem (supplied by Doxdesk.com):

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

Download and run the latest version of "Cool Web Shredder"
http://www.merijn.org/files/CWShredder.exe

The more experienced user can try Spybot. Again, it is a free
programme which can be downloaded from: http://spybot.eon.net.au/.
Warning: it is NOT a good programme for the inexperienced. If you
want to use this programme, please get the advice of those more
experienced

before 'fixing' anything
that it finds.

Another excellent programme that allows you to examine your system
and *create a results log for experts to examine* is HijackThis,
available from: http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

MS have released a limited KB article regarding what they call
'deceptive software'.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN- US;827315

Here is advice specific to:

home page hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers.htm#home_page

pop-up ads
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/popup.htm

search engine hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers4.htm#search_engine


--
Hyperlinks are used to ensure advice remains current
_______________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/



wrote:
I was somehow infected by a most annoying web cam porm
program. This damn thing pops up periodically. I
initially went to the uninstall feature in trying to do
away with it but that did not seem to resolve the
problem. How does one get rid of this most annoying
pest?

Grateful for any advice in eradicating this annoyance.

RW


.

 




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