Adware/spyware Removal

[Kamikaze_Badger]

I couldn't find this in the Windows OS forums, so I decided to post it, because there will always be someone who needs help with removing the annoying junk.

 

 

 

First off, what is adware? According to Google, spyware is:

 

A general term for a program that surreptitiously monitors your actions. While they are sometimes sinister, like a remote control program used by a hacker, software companies have been known to use spyware to gather data about customers

 

And adware:

 

... adware is considered to go beyond the reasonable advertising that one might expect from freeware or shareware. Typically a separate program that is installed at the same time as a shareware or similar program, adware will usually continue to generate advertising even when the user is not running the origianlly desired program

 

 

Now that we know something about them, lets get into removing them. Different tools are made for different kinds of spyware/adware. Some of the best tools are:

 

Ad-Aware 6.0

 

Spybot - S&D

 

Spysweeper

 

 

The above three applications are tools made for removal of all types of known spyware/adware. But sometimes, programmers get a bit more devious and write things that aren't as easily detected. Merijn.org has freeware tools for removal of these annoying things. Some of the best known ones:

 

Hijack This. Browses services, registry, etc for possible spyware/adware. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

 

CWShredder. Tool for the removal of CoolWebSearch(homepage hijacker) variants(more info on CWS can be found here).

 

Kill2Me. Tool for removal of the Look2me parasite.

 

 

 

Now, you know a bit more about spyware/adware. So, lets get to work on removing it. I highly recommend Spybot - S&D and Ad-Aware 6.0 for this, and Hijack This if you can read and will follow the instructions given here.

 

Scan using Ad-Aware 6.0, and remove all the files you can. Do the same with Spybot - S&D after you get done with Ad-Aware, so you'll be able to find files that Ad-Aware possibly didn't. And scan with Spysweeper as well, as members here have good feedback on it finding things that Spybot and Ad-Aware don't. I also recommend scanning with Hijack This and then posting your log here if you don't want to read the tutorial I gave you, or don't trust yourself. Remember to make backups, reboot afterwards, and then delete the backups if nothing is wrong, as I doubt it'll be long before companies start writing programs to restore Hijack This backups.

 

 

 

Now, lets say that you've ran Spybot, Ad-Aware, and special tools(such as CWS), but your computer is still acting up. This is where a virus scan might come in handy. The most popular freeware scanner is AVG Anti-Virus. It's very effective, and free. You can also use Mcaffee AVERT Stinger for a quick and dirty emergency scan. Lets just let the description do the talking here:

 

Stinger is a stand-alone utility used to detect and remove specific viruses. It is not a substitute for full anti-virus protection, but rather a tool to assist administrators and users when dealing with an infected system. Stinger utilizes next generation scan engine technology, including process scanning, digitally signed DAT files, and scan performance optimizations.

 

This version of Stinger includes detection for all known variants, as of April 4, 2004:

 

BackDoor-AQJ

BackDoor-JZ

Bat/Mumu.worm

Exploit-DcomRpc

IPCScan

IRC/Flood.ap

IRC/Flood.bi

IRC/Flood.cd

NTServiceLoader

PWS-Narod

PWS-Sincom.dll

W32/Anig.worm

W32/Bagle@MM

W32/Blaster.worm (Lovsan)

W32/Bugbear@MM

W32/Deborm.worm.gen

W32/Doomjuice.worm

W32/Dumaru

W32/Elkern.cav

W32/Fizzer.gen@MM

W32/FunLove

W32/Klez

W32/Lirva

W32/Lovgate

W32/Mimail

W32/MoFei.worm

W32/Mumu.b.worm

W32/MyDoom

W32/Nachi.worm

W32/Netsky

W32/Nimda

W32/Pate

W32/Sdbot.worm.gen

W32/SirCam@MM

W32/Sober

W32/Sobig

W32/SQLSlammer.worm

W32/Swen@MM

W32/Yaha@MM

 

Note: Windows ME and XP utilize a restore utility that backs up selected files automatically to the C:_Restore folder. This means that an infected file could be stored there as a backup file, and VirusScan will be unable to delete these files. You must disable the System Restore Utility to remove the infected files from the C:_Restore folder.

 

 

Another great little utility that a friend of mine once used, which found several new trojans that he had never heard of before(and removed them) that were causing him problems, is Avast Home Edition. Also, Avast Virus Cleaner Tool is a great addition to any collection of anti-virus programs. I also recommend getting McAfee Security Center as well. It's free, and has several excellent features along with it's virus scan, including a firewall, spam blocker, etc. You can find up-to-date virus information here, and can check up on virus myths(like the jdbg hoax) at Vmyths.com.

 

 

 

 

Messenger Service(AKA - What's-with-all-these-freaking-dialog-windows!? service):

 

The Windows Messenger service was made to be used by administrators to send messages to network users, etc. But better methods(such as IM and e-mail) were utilized by admins, so it pretty much went dead. But then, companies and spammers found out how to use it to send spam in biblical proportions. You can pay $20 for a program to stop it, or you could disable the service. But, the best way is to use the Messenger-Control Ad-Aware plugin. It stops the messenger service from coming through. If you have to purchase Ad-Aware Plus to install it, then it'll be well spent money. Also, you can use the LSP-Explorer plugin to disable the Messenger Service.

 

 

 

I hope that this guide comes in handy. If you want to see something added, just tell me, and I'll get it on ASAP.

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE:

 

 

A little something for those of you who are getting some symptoms of adware and spyware, but are not getting reports of it. There's currently only one, and I'll get some more done over the weekend hopefully.

 

Symptom: Slow load times on most applications, more of the recent ones than the older ones, but no ad's or browser hijacking.

 

Solution: You're not infected with adware or spyware. Simply defrag your hard drive, and delete things you dont' need. Some RAID's may also have a slow load time if you've got data set to spread out across multiple disks. If you still get slow things, try going from IDE to ATA, or post your HijackThis log to be reviewed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

File extensions to watch out for

 

The following is a list of file extensions you should watch out for when downloading files from the internet:

 

.com

.exe(mainly for pictures and stuff)

.vbs

.*.vbs

.*.exe

.*.com

 

 

The last three represent things like mypicture.jpg.vbs or mypicture.jpg.exe. Thanks Ahnya for the advice.

 

 

 

Windows Process Information

 

http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintas...processlibrary/

 

 

The following is a list of processes to watch out for:

 

 

• a.exe
  
• adaware.exe
  
• Alchem.exe
  
• alevir.exe
  
• arr.exe
  
• ARUpdate.exe
  
• av.exe
  
• avserve.exe
  
• avserve2.exe
  
• backWeb.exe
  
• bargains.exe
  
• belt.exe
  
• Biprep.exe
  
• blss.exe
  
• bokja.exe
  
• bootconf.exe
  
• bpc.exe
  
• brasil.exe
  
• BUGSFIX.EXE
  
• bundle.exe
  
• bvt.exe
  
• cmd32.exe
  
• cmesys.exe
  
• datemanager.exe
  
• dcomx.exe
  
• directs.exe
  
• divx.exe
  
• dllreg.exe
  
• dmserver.exe
  
• dpi.exe
  
• dssagent.exe
  
• emsw.exe
  
• exec.exe
  
• explore.exe
  
• explored.exe
  
• Fash.exe
  
• fntldr.exe
  
• fsg_4104.exe
  
• FVProtect.exe
  
• game.exe
  
• gator.exe
  
• gmt.exe
  
• goidr.exe
  
• hbinst.exe
  
• hbsrv.exe
  
• hxdl.exe
  
• hxiul.exe
  
• iedll.exe
  
• iedriver.exe
  
• IEHost.EXE
  
• iexplorer.exe
  
• infus.exe
  
• infwin.exe
  
• intdel.exe
  
• isass.exe
  
• istsvc.exe
  
• jawa32.exe
  
• jdbgmrg.exe
  
• kazza.exe
  
• keenvalue.exe
  
• kernel32.exe
  
• launcher.exe
  
• loader.exe
  
• mapisvc32.exe
  
• mario.exe
  
• md.exe
  
• mfin32.exe
  
• mmod.exe
  
• mostat.exe
  
• msapp.exe
  
• msbb.exe
  
• msblast.exe
  
• mscache.exe
  
• msccn32.exe
  
• mscman.exe
  
• msdm.exe
  
• msgfix.exe
  
• msiexec16.exe
  
• msinfo.exe
  
• mslagent.exe
  
• mslaugh.exe
  
• msmc.exe
  
• msmgt.exe
  
• msmsgri32.exe
  
• msrexe.exe
  
• mssvc32.exe
  
• mssys.exe
  
• msvxd.exe
  
• mwsoemon.exe
  
• mwsvm.exe
  
• netd32.exe
  
• nssys32.exe
  
• nstask32.exe
  
• nsupdate.exe
  
• omniscient.exe
  
• onsrvr.exe
  
• patch.exe
  
• pcsvc.exe
  
• pgmonitr.exe
  
• powerscan.exe
  
• prizesurfer.exe
  
• prmt.exe
  
• prmvr.exe
  
• ray.exe
  
• rb32.exe
  
• rcsync.exe
  
• run32dll.exe
  
• rundll.exe
  
• rundll16.exe
  
• ruxdll32.exe
  
• sahagent.exe
  
• save.exe
  
• savenow.exe
  
• sc.exe
  
• scam32.exe
  
• scrsvr.exe
  
• scvhost.exe
  
• service.exe
  
• showbehind.exe
  
• soap.exe
  
• spoler.exe
  
• start.exe
  
• stcloader.exe
  
• support.exe
  
• svc.exe
  
• svchosts.exe
  
• svshost.exe
  
• system.exe
  
• system32.exe
  
• tb_setup.exe
  
• teekids.exe
  
• trickler.exe
  
• tsadbot.exe
  
• Tvm.exe
  
• tvmd.exe
  
• tvtmd.exe
  
• update.exe
  
• updmgr.exe
  
• ViewMgr.exe
  
• VVSN.exe
  
• wast.exe
  
• web.exe
  
• webdav.exe
  
• win-bugsfix.exe
  
• win_upd2.exe
  
• win32.exe
  
• win32us.exe
  
• winactive.exe
  
• WINdirect.exe
  
• windows.exe
  
• wininetd.exe
  
• wininit.exe
  
• winlogin.exe
  
• winmain.exe
  
• winnet.exe
  
• winppr32.exe
  
• Winrar.exe
  
• winservn.exe
  
• winssk32.exe
  
• winstart.exe
  
• winstart001.exe
  
• Wintime.exe
  
• wintsk32.exe
  
• winupdate.exe
  
• winxp.exe
  
• wmon32.exe
  
• wnad.exe
  
• wovax.exe
  
• wsup.exe
  
• WToolsA.exe
  
• wuamgrd.exe
  
• wupdate.exe
  
• wupdater.exe
  
• wupdmgr.exe
  
• wupdt.exe
  
• y.exe
  

Edited September 26, 2004 by Kamikaze_Badger

[exeter_acres]

It has been discussed...

 

But an informative post like this is always good....

 

maybe a sticky is in order as these are common questions....

 

I run Ad aware and Spybot at least once a week.....or more if I have been visiting websites I don't normally go to....

 

 

 

 

and welcome to OCC....keep the good info coming

[Phil]

I also appreciate it when all this good info is assembled in one place, my only comment is that I would also like to see freeware anti-virus downloads lumped in, too.

Edited June 28, 2004 by Phil

[Kamikaze_Badger]

Phil, your wish is my command. I'll get Stinger and AVG in there.

[LobbDogg]

You may want to recommend using the trial version of Spysweeper as well after Spybot, I've seen times where it finds stuff after Spybot has finished, and almost always finds stuff afterwards.

[r_target]

That's a nice li'l quickie guide there. Sticky city.

[kurosen]

A n00b providing such a well constructed guide. I must say I'm impressed...

 

Welcome to OCC Kamikaze Badger, DON'T TOUCH THE LLAMAS!!

 

Though you have mentioned AdAware, I'd like to point out a very important plug-in called Messenger-Control that should be put to use on Win2000 and XP systems...

 

Nicely done Kamikaze Badger, you get a cookie.

 

@ <-------cookie

[Kamikaze_Badger]

Ok, going to add Spysweeper and Messenger-Blocker. Thanks for the support and advice .

[IUMaestro]

very nicely done man. good to see somebody put effort into a new post. alot of new members take a while to actually "give bacl" they just usually ask questions alot without helping out in other areas of OCC. you are awesome

[Kamikaze_Badger]

very nicely done man. good to see somebody put effort into a new post. alot of new members take a while to actually "give bacl" they just usually ask questions alot without helping out in other areas of OCC. you are awesome

Thankyou . I've had about 1 1/2 years of experience on other forums(currently banned from 3 different ones{when I was younger}, so I have a small idea of what to do and what not to do. My sig is what it is because I sometimes need people to tell me if I'm doing something stupid), so I know what people like(sort of). I'll get folding now, as it seems to be the good thing to do as of now(it's only PARTIALLY for the memory here).

[Phil]

Thanks for adding the anti-virus info.

[Kamikaze_Badger]

Thanks for asking me to add it, as I wouldn't of thought of it without you asking.