Can you please help me remove spyware guard?

[debraxh]

I got a Christmas present I didn't want -- Spyware Guard 2008 has installed itself on my work laptop and I can't seem to get rid of it. I've killed the process, deleted the files, disabled it from startup, but it keeps coming back. It appears I also need to delete some entries from the registry, but that scares me. I found "spyware doctor" in a google search but I'm hesitant to load it on the company-imaged PC and perhaps create even more problems.

I downloaded the software from Logitech for my new bluetooth mouse...no idea how that could have infected my computer but apparently it did. I'm running XP with "corporate Symantec protection" which obviously didn't work very well

Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[timeos2]

The worst to get rid of. Maybe a professional or reload will be required

I got a Christmas present I didn't want -- Spyware Guard 2008 has installed itself on my work laptop and I can't seem to get rid of it. I've killed the process, deleted the files, disabled it from startup, but it keeps coming back. It appears I also need to delete some entries from the registry, but that scares me. I found "spyware doctor" in a google search but I'm hesitant to load it on the company-imaged PC and perhaps create even more problems.

I downloaded the software from Logitech for my new bluetooth mouse...no idea how that could have infected my computer but apparently it did. I'm running XP with "corporate Symantec protection" which obviously didn't work very well

Thanks for any help you can provide!

This is one of the WORST spyware/malware/viruses around. It is in he SmitFraud family. Google that & follow the detailed directions to hopefullyget rid of it. If it has really locked in you may have to reformat your PC to get rid of it. And remember to turn off System Restore - it hides there. Good luck.

 

[Mosca]

You can clear out SmitFraud without reformatting. Download Superantispyware and smitfraudfix, disconnect from the internet (ie, pull the plug out of the back of the computer or router), turn off system restore and restart in "safe", run SAS & SFF, restart in safe again and rerun it, then restart in regular and rerun it; then turn on system restore and rerun it, then reboot and rerun it. Then reconnect to the internet.

 

[timeos2]

Here is an older thread about the same issue (different name, same famly of destructive malware).

 

[AwayWeGo]

Do I Have To Worry About That With Mac Mini ?

Or is that just a Windows affliction ?

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[timeos2]

Or is that just a Windows affliction ?

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

Active X based (as are the majority of malware attacks - the total lack of security in Outlook/Outlook Express/Internet Explorer thanks to that ill-conceived, open to the world and super privileged scripting language will haunt Windows as long as they continue to include it) so if your OS doesn't have it or emulate it you are safe. Using more secure programs like Firefox, Thunderbird and other non-Microsoft ones that don't utilize Active-X (and many third parties do utilize it as it's quick and dirty to implement vs doing the real programming needed - so be careful) help protect your PC, but cannot guarantee safety. It is virtually impossible to totally remove IE and Active-X and still have a PC that can do the basics as it is intertwined into nearly all of Windows. Best bet is a non-MS OS but, for most people, that still is a mountain they don't want to climb. A few more years of web based rather than thick client based programs and maybe we can finally get off the Windows base that has held back computing for over a decade. The popularity of smart phones and the new net books seem to show people are finally realizing that the bloat, lack of security and unreliabilty of Windows really isn't needed to get work done. Can't happen too soon.

 

[debraxh]

Well that bugger was nasty but it appears I finally got rid of it using both Malwarebytes anti-malware and Superantispyware (Symantec was useless). I could not start up in safe mode (either the virus was preventing it or it's disabled on my corporate PC) but did turn off system restore. I'm running a final scan using both, and when 100% clear will turn it back on. I also need to let Logitech know that there's a problem with their download.

Thanks for the help listed here, and in the other linked thread!

 

[DaveNV]

Well that bugger was nasty but it appears I finally got rid of it using both Malwarebytes anti-malware and Superantispyware (Symantec was useless).

Symantec and other virus protection programs are fine for catching above-board viruses. What you had was a malware infection, and Symantec et al. are lousy at catching those. That's why Malwarebytes is an invaluable website. It's saved my bacon many times. (I'm a Computer Tech for a Medical Center. I use it often.)

Be sure you restart your PC and empty your Recycle bin before you turn your System Restore back on. Then do a forced checkpoint so you can recover back to it (hopefully) if you get infected again.

Glad you got rid of it. Nasty little bugger, ain't it?

Dave