[Bumblebee Tuna]

It all started with my buddies getting pop ups from me through msn messenger. Ok, I must have a virus. So, I start scanning my pc for the nasties. Started with some online virus scanners, first, Trend Micro, Bit Defender, Mcafee, Kaspersky, & Mcafee Stinger. (Panda & Symantec don't work with XP x64 edition). Kaspersky found one virus, and I removed it. Then I started sweeping for spyware. I used Hijackthis, Adaware 1.6 (don't like 2007 edition), Spybot Search & Destroy, & AVG Anti-spyware. They each found maybe a couple of cookies they didn't like. Then I scanned my pc with Webroots Spy Sweeper V.4.5 (Version 5 doesn't seem to work with XP x64. Hmmm, an older version works, but not a newer one)? Anyways, I scanned my pc and low and behold, it says it found a root-kit on my PC. One root-kit, in 3,554 different locations on my C: Drive, "Aieeeeeee, I thought!!!" and this was the "Scan Only," version. So, I nuked my hard drive, and backed up my important data; reinstalled my OS, including service packs updates, and drivers. To make sure the root-kit was gone, I scanned again, "NOOOO, it's still there." This time, I scanned my drives seperately, and sure enough, it was only the C: drive with the root-kit. I thought, it must be a false-positive. But I trusted Spy Sweeper up to this point to be accurate. So, I nuke it again. Install my Service pack, and updates. Scan with Spy sweeper again, (I don't think it's appropriate to say what I said). This time, I grabbed a completely different HDD, format it and install my OS. This time, the only thing I download, is spy sweeper, and sure enough, it's a false-positive. I think I'm going to boycott Webroot.
This may be only on the Windows XP x64 edition that this happens, I don't know. So I thought I'd pass this along just in case.
Maybe I was just being a dumbo by going through the extent I did, but root-kits aren't nice.

[eyeCpc]

That program should have been labeled Webrootkit Crap Inventor some time back. That entire program is nothing but a gimic to sell the full version. rip off! Your messanger buddies probably have adwares on their own systems needing removal. They wouldn't get popup ads just receiving a mesage unless something is on their system to allow for it.

Ad-Aware 2007 now sees a new Ad-Watch feature included and has always been good at finding and removing browser hijackers. For a more effective adware/spyware remover another program I can mention here includes an active protection process similar to a mild firewall namely Spyware Terminator. Free spyware removal and spyware protection - Spyware Terminator

Now speaking of rootkits did you know there's a rootkit removal tool available? The free tool is accompanied on the same free version page as AVG 7.5 seen at AVG Free Advisor - Installation files & documentation

You will also find antivirus for Linux as well as the free version of the internet security program there. When see a hundred bugs being reported by some program and then have to buy the retail version you should be aware that those are "bogus"! as part of selling gimic there.