Anyone concerned about spyware on your PC?

[Sandviper23]

I recently found some adware that I couldn't remove manually. I would goto add/remove programs and this adware program called "command.exe" just wouldn't let me removed it.
So in the end, I ended up paying $30 for a spyhunter program to remove any adware,spyware or unwanted virus type programs ect.

this program i paid for removed some stuff, but since I've gotten it, i seem to be getting more and more new adware and spyware type programs which makes me believe that the spyHunter i paid for has something to do with it.

Anyone have this problem before?

Any suggestions of the best way to remove hidden adware/spyware on your computer?

I am concerned about keyloggers and spyware that could collect data like passwords, or gain access to my poker account, bank account or other things.

[MajorCP]

It's both an annoyance and a concern. Two free programs that you should run periodically are ad-aware and spybot - search and destroy. These days, computer users (especially those who use the internet to pass financial info, should be at least passably knowledgeable about how to protect themselves from adware and malware.

[signal]

Yes, everybody is concerned about computer security.

Awhile ago there was this excellent post re: computer security. It has some good recommendations. It should maybe be stickied....

[Mike Haven]

[ QUOTE ]
It should maybe be stickied....

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe you should read the sticky? It's been in there for months.

[signal]

[ QUOTE ]

Quote:
It should maybe be stickied....



Maybe you should read the sticky? It's been in there for months.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, I haven't read the sticky in months, myself. I just noticed all the handy links at the bottom....

[Vavavoom]

This will sound silly....but what are the Adaware and Spybot wesites....

I don't want to google them and then find they are incorrect pages and download anything dangerous ?

Vava

[signal]

I always get them from download.com. As far as I know that site is okay.

[Messiahkid]

[ QUOTE ]
This will sound silly....but what are the Adaware and Spybot wesites....

I don't want to google them and then find they are incorrect pages and download anything dangerous ?

Vava

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Go to www.download.com

TOP right search: "Lavasoft adaware" -> download

and

"Spybot Search and Destroy" -> download

run updates regularly

[GrandmaStabone]

What program did you get? I really hope you didn't purchase it off of a "YOUR PC IS AT HIGH SECURITY RISK!!! CLICK HERE TO CHECK YOUR PC!!!!" popup.

Spybot Search and Destroy and AdawareSE are both free, and the two of them together do a good job of keeping spyware, adware, etc. off your sysytem.

Also, GET A FIREWALL. I just got one a couple weeks ago and I am horrified at the amount of [censored] it is blocking. ZoneAlarm is a good, easy to use free firewall.

Add these things to a free antivirus (I use Avg), and you have a reasonably secure PC for no monies.

[MycroftX]

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Add these things to a free antivirus (I use Avg), and you have a reasonably secure PC for no monies.

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Yeah, its too bad AVG is gone Feb. 18th [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]