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General discussion

SPYWARE

Mar 25, 2004 12:24PM PST

I recently have started clearing out spyware from my computer. Unfortunately, I have a dialer made by AVENUE MEDIA that I cannot get rid of. I delete most of its files but there are two that I cannot find. I do know that they are in the registry because I downloaded a spyware program but it only tells me where the files are located unless I pay. It also says I have a spyware from BETTER INTERNET as well (on my hard drive) which I cannot find. This is the only program that recognizes these spyware programs. In addition, there is a program called BRIDGE listed on my Add/Remove Programs list which I cannot "remove". I have gone to numerous sites on how to delete AVENUE MEDIA but the registry keys they tell me to look for don't exist. I CAN'T FIND THE LAST TWO!

HELP ME!!!!!

Discussion is locked

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Re:SPYWARE
Mar 25, 2004 2:12PM PST

I would suggest:

Download Ad-aware from here: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware
Install by double-clicking on the downloaded file.
After installing but before running, update Ad-aware by using its Globe icon.
After updating, shutdown and restart Ad-aware.
Ad-aware is ready to scan and clean your system following these steps:

Under Ad-aware 6 > Settings (Gear at the top) > Tweaks > Scanning Engine:
"Unload recognized processes during scanning."
Under Ad-aware 6 > Settings (Gear at the top) > Tweaks > Cleaning Engine:
"Let Windows remove files in use after reboot."
Press "Scan Now"
Check option "Use Custom scanning options"
Check option "Activate In-Depth Scan"
Press "Select drives\folders to scan"
Select the active partition which is usually C:
Press "Next" to let Ad-aware scan your drives...
If it finds "bad" files and registry keys, press "Next" again
Right-click in that pane and choose "select all"
Press "next"
When it asks to remove all checked items, Press "OK"
Close Ad-aware, reboot your system and go on to Step 2 below.


Spybot S&D
The download for Spybot S&D is available here: http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=spybotsd

Install by double-clicking on the downloaded file.
Run Spybot S&D from desktop icon or Start menu.
Press "Search for updates" button to get list of updates available.
Press "Download updates" button.
Close all IE windows and close & restart Spybot S&D.
Press "Check for problems" button.
Have SpyBot remove all it marks in red by pressing "Fix selected problems"
Close Spybot S&D, reboot your system

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Re:SPYWARE
Mar 26, 2004 6:34AM PST

Hello............I also had some spyware on my pc and I downloaded the free Spybot program and it got rid of them all. It is really easy to use and it basically takes care of everything. It finds the problems or unwanted programs, lets you decide which ones you want to keep or get rid of, and then it removed the ones you tell it to. No searching for files or removing things yourself. It will even immunize your pc from the programs reinstalling themselves. It even gives you a warning that "some freeware is based on ads or spyware and if you remove the ads then the program may not work." It even checks for Trojans. I use both Spybod and McAfee now.
Hope this helps.........