Is my pc infected with spyware?

S

Sherib

Guest
Please help someone.

I've received messages that there is a tracking cookie
on my computer. Message said "you have dangerous
spyware virus infections on your computer".

I went to a link from this site which brought me to
paratologic.com

The scan showed up a cookie which other scans didn't.
The scan was free but the removal tool has to be
purchased. Was about to do that but they require
name and address as well as email and credit card number. Didn't like the address Q.

An email to their FAQ didn't answer that question.
The usual message about possibly unsafe sites came up.
I don't know what to do. When I logged on today,
had to do a system restore to access the Internet.

Would be very grateful for advice.

title edited by ajapale
 
Re: Tracking cookie

Hi Sherib,

Take time to read the clean pc post at the top of forum.

Dont reply to unsolicitated warnings about viruses, spyware or trojans.

Have you got anitvirus software, anti spyware installed?

ajapale
 
link

hi sherib,
Its not clear, but are you saying that you followed a link from this site, ie AAM? If so, let us know where, if was from a popup then follow ajapales advice and read the clean pc post.
You shouldnt have to pay for adware cleaners. Using any and all of the yahoo toolbar, adaware and spybot applications, all of which are tried, tested and recommended by many users here, should see you right.
I posted the links to other removal tools in teh clean pc post to show users whats available and let them take their pick but I'll tidy up the clean pc post if you got your link from there.
 
Tracking cookie

Reply to you and car.

Yes, I have Norton and AdAware SePlus
which are always on. The link I followed was AAM's
"A clean PC".

I went to - Spyware and Adware removers which
brought me to Spyware Assassin. They ran a scan and
found the tracking cookie. I would have to purchase
their removal tool and give my address as well as the
usual info.

I have just run Aluriasoftware which I got from the same
link a while ago. The result was "Spyware was found on
your computer" Purchase again is required - $29.99

I was suspicious before I went to the links today.
Something is going on because this never happened
before.

What do you advice?
 
Re: Tracking cookie

Chances are most people will have or accumulate tracking cookies on their PCs unless they disable cookies altogether (and thereby degrade the user experience with many sites which depend on cookies!). Not all tracking cookies are necessarily bad. In fact, in some cases you will want a site to remember details so that you don't have to enter them every time. Basically when spyware scanners report problems you need to review them by checking the severity of the warning and also by seeing if the cookie (for example) is one that you are happy with keeping. If in doubt check the detailed reports and help provided by the spyware tool and/or browse the web for further information about the cookie etc. in question. Only then can you make an informed decision. Hope that makes sense to you.
 
Re: Tracking cookie

>>Yes, I have Norton
good, but are you updating the virus definition files on a regular basis

>>and AdAware SePlus
good, but again have you updated the definiton files and more importantly have you run the application and acted on the resluts

>>I went to Spyware and Adware removers (in the clean pc post) which brought me to Spyware Assassin.
This is where I think things are going a miss. There are many bogus spyware removal products out there and I'm almost sure Spy Ware Assassin is one of them.

>>They ran a scan and found the tracking cookie. I would have to purchase their removal tool and give my address as well as the usual info.
This is the modus operandi of the bogus spyware removal guys.

>>I have just run Aluriasoftware which I got from the same
link a while ago. The result was "Spyware was found on
your computer" Purchase again is required - $29.99
I'm not sure about this product, however you shoulnt have to pay for spyware removal products.

>>I was suspicious before I went to the links today.
Something is going on because this never happened
before.
You are right to be concerned.

>>What do you advice?

What happens when you run Ad-Aware SE?

Can you let us know the precise link you followed? Cut an paste the paragraph surrounding the link. thanks
 
Tracking cookie

The answer is "yes" and "yes". I'm not Cavan woman!

Neither AdAware nor Microsoft Antispyware (Beta 1)
found anything. But I think the problem is solved.

Went to the Yahoo site and downloaded their toolbar and
ran the scan. Result: BonziBuddy, Objects 58, Category
Spyware with (!) Remove. Did that plus five other not
serious tracking cookies. Removed each one separately.

Thanks to everyone for their help. You saved me money.
Have you time to check out the link which went to Spyware Assassin?

I read ClubMan's comments re cookies and article in
yesterday's Irish Times and do know that many are
harmless. In your opinion, was BonziBuddy a real threat?

Last Q. Aluria is on my PC and I can remove by going to
Control Panel - Add/Remove. Should I do that?

Am very appreciative for all this help.
 
links

microsofts spyware didnt pick up bonzi buddy???? My god, that one of the most basic ones there is. I know its beta and all that but come on!

heres a definition of bonzi buddy

"He's your interactive friend and traveling companion on the Internet! He walks, talks, sings, browses and searches the Internet with you.". Bonzi Buddy is an adware that displays targeted advertisements and resets the browser homepage to bonzi.com."

Get rid of it.

Of the 3 links you posted

www.anti-adware.net
looks alright. Website looks alright. Try it if you want but if you have to pay, dont bother.

www.intranetjournal.com
All the links on there are known and Ive used or tested most of the links posted and think theyre fine. As well as yahoo,adaware and spybot Ive got hijackthis and a full version of x-cleaner which gets a lot of use, all of which are linked on the journal.

now spywareassassin is a different story. If you get a pop-up when you access a site trying to scare you into buying a product, forget it.
 
Re: links

microsofts spyware didnt pick up bonzi buddy
Click to expand...

Correct

Get rid of it.
Click to expand...

Gone

now spywareassassin is a different story. If you get a pop-up when you access a site trying to scare you into buying a product, forget it.
Click to expand...

Good advice. Fact is Bonzi was installed before I went to
those sites. Microsoft's free spyware detector is just a trial
version, so why surprized. Yahoos toolbar was the solution. Until the next time....... That's enough on this - thanks all.
 
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