Turns out I've spent a terribly large chunk of my day trying to get rid of some really annoying spyware and virus crap that got onto my computer yesterday. It all started when Keri and I decided to get haircuts and were looking at hairdos (no idea how to spell that). All of a sudden, this one site started popping up all of these windows and all of this crap. Since then, when I would get online all kinds of stuff would continually pop up and ask me to download this or buy that. As if there isn't enough marketing in the world; we have to guard against this super-aggressive stuff. I just gotta wonder if they think that people will actually buy stuff marketed in this way!
So I looked up a blogger I exchanged some emails with when I was starting out this summer. He's a computer guy and had some links to some good anti-spy software (that I guess I should already have downloaded). At one point there were nearly 100 programs that were red-flagged. Worse yet, before Spybot could finish they would shut off the computer (a little strand of self-preservation code built in?) So I had to go into the computer and uninstall some stuff myself. This cycle went on all afternoon. When I got back from church tonight and realized it was still there, I uninstalled all my Yahoo stuff (toolbar, etc.), then reinstalled it and ran their spyware again, and I think the problem is solved.
Why am I blogging about this? Because it took up an inordinate amount of my time...
UPDATE - the problem is NOT solved and now I'm beginning to think it may NEVER be solved. I hate this stuff. At a friend's suggestion I downloaded Mozilla Firefox as its supposedly better and safer than Microsoft Internet Explorer. We'll see if that helps. I should've bought a Mac!
4 comments:
Alex, I feel for ya. Not long ago my IE browser was hijacked by Yupsearch and I haven't been able to get it off my computer - even with PestPatrol. I just emailed them to ask why it's not detecting and removing it. I also started using FireFox and have been real happy with it. Good luck.
Firefox will surely help (as would installing Google Toolbar for use with Internet Explorer) I've found that the free programs Spybot, Adaware and HijackThis are all good, even necessary, but even they are not 100 effective for all spyware. The best product I have found is not free ($39.99) but it was worth paying it for me, as I was getting so much grief from spyware. It's called Xoftspy, and works quickly and effectively. I have had no problems since I decided to spring for it.
Hi Alex,
I just read about your spyware problem. At the exact same time, this link arrived to my inbox. I think it must mean something!
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1753726,00.asp
Anyway, I hope maybe that will offer you some help.
Grace and Peace,
Paul
http://www.steelerdirtfreak.com/blog/
You really need to stop looking at Mullet websites. That's all there is to it. I know that you are absolutely crazy about mullets, but you have to give up that obsession. Seriously, everyone knows that mullet websites are just waiting to pounce on people like you-and they take over your computer, your marriage, and your life. Be afraid, be very afraid.
And then can you tell me how to put people's links on my blog?
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