Spyware going hyper

[Hippee]

I have a basic spyware thing (see how techy I am! Not.) included in my anti-virus subscription. Since yesterday it has been popping up every few minutes saying "Spyware Clear has blocked a threat". The spyware log shows a long list of instances when "Trojan.Downloader.Tibs.za" has been denied. Is there something else I should be doing? Do I have to upgrade to the premium spyware product? Thanks for any advice!

[KeyboardMum]

Oh-ho!

[KeyboardMum]

What have you been downloading recently? :P

Spyware Clear sounds like malware. I wouldn't click on anything it pops up with, or purchase anything it tells you to purchase. Do not enter any bank details or personal information into anything it tries to send you to. Do not do anything related to your banking details on that machine.

What anti-virus are you using?

[cdtaylornats]

Spyware Clear is a rogue antispyware program that may be involved in displaying random notifications attempting to warn computer users of it detected malware or spyware on their computer. The Spyware Clear program may load these messages with system scan results that are later found to be bogus and part of a scheme to get users to purchase a version of Spyware Clear. The Spyware Clear may not eliminate any legitimate spyware or malware that it says it detects on a PC. Removal of Spyware Clear is warranted when the Spyware Clear program starts to perform these unwanted actions.

You probably picked it up on the fly while downloading something else.

It makes a lot of changes, there are files and quite a few registry entries.

You should
Backup important files
Try a different browser
If it really came with your anti-virus complain loud and bitterly and get a better anti-virus
You may well need to take it to a local computer expert to get it fixed if you don't know any techy people.

[KeyboardMum]

^ Agreed.

Alternatively, if you don't want to spend a shit load on fixes, and assuming you are using Windows you could locate and delete the dodgy files via your task manager processes (ctrl + alt + delete).

I would recommend installing Spybot - search and destroy, and running it. It's very good at detecting malicious software.

You need to remember that safe browsing is very much like safe sex. If you just plough on into the internet without being protected or mindful, you are going to end up with shit like this on your PC - which could ultimately lead to your bank account being cleared out, your children being targeted or your information being stolen.

Use Google Chrome, if you already use it - remove any toolbars (check your extensions), refrain from dodgy sites and downloading from unclear sources. Get Adblocker plugin for your Chrome browser - it removes most adverts from your webpage and therefore decreases the chance that you are going to click on something dodgy.

Always Google stuff before you even consider downloading it and remember that nothing is free - whether it's your information or an infection on your personal machine, there's always something someone wants.

[cdtaylornats]

Just deleting the files wont work, you need to clean the registry entries and that isn't really a job for a non-techy.

Antimalwarebytes is worth trying, but I really think you should get someone who knows what they are doing. Alternatively you could take the system back to the factory settings.

[Hippee]

Thanks everyone. I am not sure how I got it, as I can't remember downloading anything from the internet - I am normally quite paranoid and won't download anything from an unknown source. It's quite a new computer and came with McAfee, but I will take it back to where I bought it, as it should still be covered by all the warranties, and get them to sort it out.

[KeyboardMum]

Good point on the registry values. System restores don't always work either btw, sometimes you have to reformat - and sometimes even that doesn't remove a clever virus.

You generally pick up stuff like this when you install free software from questionable sources. It can't have come from anywhere else, unless someone else in your household has access to the PC - if that's the case then it's probably best to make sure that your OH and or kids are aware of the dangers.

McAfee is terrible, I usually stick AVG Free on my relatives Windows machines.