Hi - A few days ago I accidentally clicked on a popup window while trying to click another link and immediately my computer began spewing ads... I have Microsoft AntiSpyware, Ad-Aware SE, and Spybot on my computer and I have run numerous scans and gotten rid of countless infections, but they keep coming back, sometimes within seconds. I even bought Spyware Doctor and downloaded CWShredder to see if that would take care of it and I still have popups, even when IE isn't open (I have a LAN connection). When I tried to run my computer in safe mode it wouldn't allow me to log on with my regular network id and password and I don't know why - I am on a network and I even tried the admin passwords and nothing works. HELP!! What can I do? It has been 3 days since I got any work done - I need my computer back!!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Have you tried system restore?

Have you disabled Windows Messenger Service ?

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Hi,
Sounds like you already have what you need, but have you run your Spyware programs in Safe Mode?
Here is a listing of programs, some of which you already have, with suggestions (and why) to run them:

If you think you already have Spyware/Advertising Ware in your computer, run these as follows:

http://www.security-related.com/download2.htm
Download: SpyBot Search & Destroy; 1.3
(If you use the Spyware Blaster free program, then don't set SpyBot to the Immunization feature)

AdAware at:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Download: AdAware_SE

CWShredder at:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html
(CWShredder is intended only for removal of CoolWebSearch files; placed as spyware on the harddrive). It is not a "stand alone" scan, but needs to be run. Download the free version by clicking on "Download stand alone version of CW Shredder".

All 3 of the above programs run better and much faster when run in SafeMode.

To get into SafeMode:
Re-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad.
When the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select
"Safe Mode".
Press Enter

It's best to run the AdAware scan first; 3 times; then re-boot.
Then, run the AdAware scan again 3 times; then run the SpyBot. Then, run CWShredder.
Re- Boot.
Reason for running so many times:
Some of these trojans' files can be deleted the first time; leaving some others; but on re-boot, they re-write the files that were deleted.
Running multiple times deletes most of it the first
Time.

If you wish to have a great program, after you clean out Spyware/Advertising Ware:
SpyWare Blaster 3.3

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Since you say you can't get into SafeMode on your LAN, are you the Administrator? Is it a home network? If it's a company network, you will have to contact the person who takes care of the network.

Best of luck,
fredg

Hi talula137,
Since you have already said that you already "have Microsoft AntiSpyware, Ad-Aware SE, and Spybot on my computer .................... even bought Spyware Doctor and downloaded CWShredder", even though you have said that you can not get into safe mode, you might try running the scans again, and then immediately disabling system restore, rebooting and then re-enabling system restore, in case any of the infections are hiding in your system restore folders.

After you have these problems solved, you might consider helping prevent future infections by installing WinPatrol = FREEWARE! = http://www.winpatrol.com
I have been using it along with other programs for years, and they work really well togther, and help keep me well protected. Best wishes.

If you want to try and stop it from coming in, try a firewall till you do get the infection or infections out. A guy I know had the very same problem, actually turned out to be a virus.

Hi,
You have not posted back. Did any of our suggestions help get rid of the issue?
Best wishes,
fredg

It turned out to be a series of viruses that Norton Antivirus was not catching. I did an online virus check (Panda) and found 5 various and sundry viruses kicking around, so I got rid of those and then downloaded Service Pack 2 from Microsoft, and everything seems to be fine now. I also uninstalled Norton, as it never catches anything and is pretty useless. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that nothing else appears... but I'll let you know if that happens!! ;) Thanks for all your suggestions!
~talula137 :)

Good!! now as for a firewall, zonealarm is pretty good and simple to use to keep them out and what ever is still on your computer from contacting out.