deleting spyware from the registry.

[scroce]

I downloaded a copy of spyhunter, which does a scan for free, but does not remove found spyware.

Anyway, one of the things the scan alerted me to was a registry key setting for gator.com under HKEY Local Machine/Software.

Can I delete this (and other settings which I'm sure aren't supposed to be there) from the registry manually, or do I run the risk of really screwing up my PC. I have windows 2000.

I'm trying to save myself from having to shell out bucks for this.

I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect; therefore, I am perfect.

 

[Marcs41]

Get AdAware, it is free and will do the cleaning for you.

Marc
[sub]If 'something' 'somewhere' gives 'some' error, expect random guesses or no replies at all. Please specify details.
Free Tip: The F1 Key does NOT destroy your PC![/sub]

 

[scroce]

cool - thanks! - I'll definitely check that out.

just for my own gratification - is there anything wrong with actually doing it yourself?

I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect; therefore, I am perfect.

 

[carrr]

is there anything wrong with actually doing it yourself?

Only if you do it wrong.

"'Tis an ill wind that blows no minds." - Malaclypse the Younger

 

[bcastner]

The problem of doing it yourself is that many of these malware and hijackers change their behavior, file, and registry locations constantly.

It is far better to let the security folks track and develop algorithums for removal of all variations of this spyware malware. Almost any published removal instruction is likely soon out of date.

And the problem often is that it is not just registry entries. You can clear those only to have them remade if the underlying spyware/malware is not removed. And it is often well hidden.

See faq608-4650

 

[scroce]

ok - thank you all for your help.

This spyware thing is really insidious, not to mention destructive. I just can't believe people would waste time writing code that does stupid things like this.

I guess it must make them money or else it wouldn't be done.






I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect; therefore, I am perfect.

 

[Marcs41]

The who's and the why's ... I stop wondering a long time ago.
We don't have to respect it, but accept it is here.

As for doing it your self, if at any time you can avoid manual registry manipulations, please do, anything wrong in there and your PC is a doorstop.

 

[zoeythecat]

Other good program to use if the Adware does not remove everything is Spybot and CwShredder

 

[Jabberwocky21]

Also, try Spybot Search and Destroy - I use it and it works very well.
KC

 

[bcastner]

The use of cwshredder, AdAware and Spybot 1.2, in detail, are covered in the FAQ mentioned above: faq608-4650

Included are download links to the respective programs. There are additional pieces of advice in the FAQ, including: online antivirus scans, a very strong suggestion as to the order in which the removal programs are run, the necessity to update the definition files, and other advice gleaned from many threads on hijacked IE situations.

In my experience no tool alone is sufficient. There is an orderly process to remove these pests. And, as the FAQ discusses, if all the steps fail to resolve the problem you can post a Hijack This log here for examination.