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Spyware - I think...

  • 30-10-2011 01:36PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 561 ✭✭✭


    Hi there, I think I may have some spyware or similar on my laptop. When I start it up first it starts up fine but then something starts processing/running in the background and makes the laptop really slow. This takes about 20-30mins and I keep getting errors about scripts that are trying to run.

    I've read the "I think I have a Virus" thread here and I'm wondering if that's the best action for me to take? Or is there a risk of it not working and wiping everything?? Should I try it or would it be suitable to just download some malware/spyware scanner and just try to wipe it?

    A colleague said I would need to back up everything to an extern hard drive and then do a full system restore from the cd (although I have NO idea where that is now!!).

    Any help or suggestions welcome.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 223 ✭✭Verres


    Well regardless of whether you have your install CDs, you should definitely take a backup of your important files. And not just now - you should get in the habit of doing it regularly.

    Then, once you have your backups done, even if it wipes everything (which it won't) you'll have your backups!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭biko


    Backup is always a good idea.

    Can you be more specific about what errors you see?
    Strange popups asking you to buy stuff?
    What process is running? Do you know how to check this?

    What anti-virus and anti-malware do you have?

    Do the steps in the sticky. You can also download and do a full scan with www.malwarebytes.org (anti-spyware)and symantec online (anti-virus)
    http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&close_parent=true


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 171 ✭✭Will_H


    I'd be careful about what you back up to your external drive as you could put the virus onto your external drive (it's happened me when backing up Firefox info via MozBackup). Pics, Music, Videos etc should be fine though.

    Firstly, Download TFC.exe (Temp File Cleaner) http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/and run it . Follow the instructions it gives you (it will close all your programs) and it will reboot your machine when it finishes. This may well help with the 'slowness'. I ran this for my brother last week & cleared 2.5GB (yes GB!) from his laptop.

    Download FlashDisinfector http://www.myantispyware.com/2009/01/08/flash-disinfector-free-autoruninf-trojans-removal-tool/to your desktop and run it whilst your external drive(s) are turned on & connected.

    Also, download FileHippo from here: http://www.filehippo.com/ and run it once a month or so. This ensures all your programs are up to date. In particular, your browsers, Java & FlashPlayer which are all most susceptible to malware.

    Also, make sure you run your Windows/Microsoft Update (under Start>Programs).

    I personally prefer ESET over Symantec's online scanner simply because it has found malware for me in the past which Symantec has not. http://go.eset.com/us/online-scanner


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32 westcoast1


    Try ccleaner then super anti-spyware then malwarebytes and finally trendmicro house call.

    Then run chkdsk /r from the command window.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 561 ✭✭✭HiGlo


    Thanks for the help and suggestions.... I haven't had much time to look at the problem again but hoping to try sort it out this week (I have some time off).
    I've got Microsoft Security Essentials and Malware Bytes and nothing has shown up so far.

    It's so frustrating.
    The errors are usually messages that come up when I'm in Gmail or Facebook and it's some big long speil about basically it's trying to run a script and do I want to continue or stop the script. i've taken to saying "stop script".
    There's no pop ups and I check the Task Manager all the time but no sign of anything.
    I'll have a proper look at it during the week.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 171 ✭✭Will_H


    Sounds like you have 2 issues - a slow PC, which suggestions earlier may help with, and (2) pop-up scripts. Are you running Firefox? You could have NoScripts running....


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