When people call me for help fixing their Windows computers, 90% of the time the issue is spyware, viruses or other junk installed without their knowledge or permission. The broad term for such software is malware -- stuff that doesn't do you good.
The most frequent symptoms are:
The fix is to download and install software designed to remove this junk -- the real thing, not the fake stuff you already have. Here are my favorites:
Anti-Virus: I no longer recommend AVG Free, but many people still prefer it. I would suggest you give Avast a try. Their homepage is here. You'll need to be ready to register this product, however it's free. This allows quick access to automated updates. While the installer should be self-explanatory, you can find additional instructions here. If you would prefer a solid commercial solution and can afford the price, I recommend PC-Cillin from Trend Micro. As of this writing, it runs about $49 (US) for the home user.
Anti-Adware: One of the best in the business is AdAware SE Personal and it's free. There is a paid version which does more, but this will go a long way to remove advertising popups.
Anti-Spyware: Another favorite is Spybot Search and Destroy. Be sure you also get the "Detection Upates" as well. Similar in function to AdAware, but it usually takes at least two different packages like this to get sufficient coverage. There really is an amazing variety of junk out there, and more being released every day.
There are some other usable Spyware removal tools, but you really should check with Spyware Warrior before you download and install anything else. This page lists all the known bogus packages designed to fool you into getting actual spyware itself.
If you are unable to get online because of your troubles, you may need to ask a friend to download and burn these to a CD, or perhaps copy them to a USB memory stick or something, and install them from there. (If you can't get help any other way, you can email me and request a CD by mail. I can't charge for the software, but I need a donation to cover the costs of the CD and postage.)
Once you have your software, you will need to do two things before you install: (1) unplug your machine from the Internet and (2) maybe boot into Safe Mode. This page explains how you can do that for every version of Windows so far. Safe Mode usually shuts down a lot of this junk software by preventing it from loading, or at least cuts out the tricks this junk uses to protect itself. Now open the CD, memory stick or wherever you have this software saved, and install in this order:
Firewall: Your Windows box has some 65,000 different ways for the Internet to talk back to your machine. Some of what's out there won't talk nicely. A firewall prevents you computer from listening. It can also prevent programs on your computer from "phoning home" and giving away your personal information. This can help prevent future problems, helping block any new malware. For XP, you can use the built in firewall, but it's frankly inferior, mainly because it doesn't block stuff from "phoning home." I recommend you get a better one, and you can run both at the same time. The best free one is ZoneAlarm from Zone Labs. Installing this is a little harder, asking all kinds of questions, and it will bug you a bit more about trying to convince you to buy the paid version. Put up with it, because this is the best free one out there. However, as time goes on, there are a few others which are getting better all the time. This paragraph could change when it happens. Also, be aware, if you know nothing about firewalls, you really should take the time to read the tutorial. Every time you have a program try to use the Internet, the firewall will popup a window asking your permission. It can be tricky knowing whether to say yes or no. Ask someone who knows, or join one of the many computer user help forums.
Note: Older machines running Windows ME or earlier versions may benefit from choosing Tiny Firewall instead of ZoneAlarm. The link will offer you the last free version, which has a very small footprint, and runs as a service, rather than as software. This means it can load before the drivers for your network connection comes up, and is much more reliable. I recommend you download the file to "My Documents," then double-click on the icon. It will install rather quickly and simply, then ask to reboot the machine. Do this, then when it is back up and running, look for the new icon in your systray (right-hand end of your start-bar). From then on, every time you have software attempt to connect to the Internet, it will pop up a warning, asking you to decide whether to let it through the firewall. Before you click yes or no either one, click the box near the bottom of the window to tell Tiny to remember your decision. It will say something about creating a rule for future reference. For example, I let Mozilla through, but not Internet Explorer or regular Explorer. Be aware: depending on how you connect to the Internet, you'll need to let certain Windows processes through the firewall. However, unlike Windows 2000 and XP, there are fewer of them, and they are less confusing. Also, if you believe AVG slows your machine down too much, you can try F-Prot's older DOS version of anti-virus software, which is free for home users. I haven't used it, but you can find some instructions here and here.
If these things fix your problems, good. If not, you'll have to talk to a geek friend or technician. Once you are back online, and things are working okay, you'll need to open both AdAware and Spybot to update them. If they don't bug you about it right away, just look for the update button on the interface somewhere. Spybot will offer all sorts of stuff, so just read the list and select the definitions and descriptions at a minimum. Both should have no trouble downloading their own updates and installing, provided you give them permission to get past your firewall. If anything balks, just try again right away or come back later. These two need to update at least every month, and run the scan again even if there's no apparent trouble.
How did I get this malware? Maybe you installed some cute little program, like Weather Bug, or added a nifty toolbar to your web browser. Some of them will give away your personal habits to folks whose only interest is selling you something. Some of them simply open the back doors of your system to invasion by other malware. Some really evil websites will install software secrely just by visiting a webpage. This happens most often on porn sites, but also some kids' sites. Sorry, but the Windows operating system has security holes in it. The only way to be sure you don't get any more is run something besides Windows -- like maybe Linux.
Ed Hurst
Updated 14 April 2007
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