[TRDCorolla1]

This is probably me just venting my frustration with the HUGE amount of embedded spyware and viruses everywhere.

I know I got something on both my new laptop and desktop PC. It doesn't do any major harm, but the effects are odd. My laptop would change windows (when I have multiple windows open) like every 5 minutes. It gets annoying when you're typing something.

Then you get these constant pop ups saying that your PC isn't protected and need to install some malware software. Probably serves me right to get that message since I keep getting the pop up. The pop up windows look very convincing too. On some of them, clicking the "close" button just opens up another window. I know for sure it was one of those free software I downloaded (Youtube convertor software--but hey, it works great. I manage to rip the Intel signature sound from Youtube, converted over to MP3 only and at the same time, I can also convert the FLV over to AVI or MPG. I need it for my PowerPoint presentation. Good stuff), but probably got hit big time with some spyware in the process.

I've got Windows Defender and Norton Internet Security 2008 working on my laptop which did quite a good job getting rid of the pop ups and malware, but the desktop got hit hard since I didn't have NIS installed on it. But I do get the window switching still on my laptop regardless.

The desktop I'm using Avast and boy do I get tons of warnings from Avast saying I have viruses (most of them are mdll.dll or some other form of modified *.dll found in my System32 folder). Spyware detected no known spyware, but tracking cookies, which I deleted. That's it. I'm going to have to install NIS on that to see how it fixes it but I'm debating whether I should since the PC is already infected with something and NIS may just install right over it. Then again, it may just solve a lot of problems too.

The price we pay for downloading freebies.

[Ewc1307]

Sounds like you may have a few infections there.

On a personal note i really do not rate Norton or Windows Defender very highly and there are better (again, personally speaking) applications to help in the combat of malware.

How is your system at the moment? - Are you still infected? - If so i would like to help if you need assistance.

Also a reminder to others to run reagular malware/spyware application and to keep them updated!

[TRDCorolla1]

The desktop PC is primarily my dump computer so I don't really take too much of a priority with it. It needs a good reformat anyways so I'll just end up doing that after I get a chance to backup all my personal data files.

On the laptop, some of my directories are rearranged too, but no major harm. It created a new folder that I've never seen before and when I removed it, it removed all my other apps with it. Now, I'm forced to create shortcuts from the Program File directory just to use the programs I have. They don't show up anywhere in the Start Menu anymore in Vista. But still, it's usuable. At least my Start menu looks clean with nothing in it, lol.

[Ewc1307]

WOW! - Sounds like you've gotten out of that one! - If you feel like posting a HiJack This log, i would like to have a look as part of my malware training on *cough* another *cough* forum

If not, no worries, just interested

[diane37]

AVG IS A good free Spyware and Anti-virus software
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0
I also read another members coments about Norton is not all that great anymore . It misses things and is a real resource hog.