Re: Spyware: how to clean registry and stop returns

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From: Alex Nichol (alexn.mvpdts_at_ntlworld.delete.com)
Date: 09/20/04 

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 10:37:49 +0100

RON wrote:

>Thanks Alex and Jim,
>1) I have some trepidation about installing Service Pack 2
>given the hundreds of complaints I've seen here from
>apparent experienced users who have had frustrating SP2
>experiences. I guess the problem *wasn't* SP2 but some
>other factor. Still, that *many* complaints makes me very
>wary.

They are generally when installing by either or both of a: use of the
update method, and b: over a machine with who knows what else running.
That is why I suggest doing it from a CD immediately after a clean
reinstall; that should give no trouble.

>Please respond to two questions if possible.
>1) I just went through the exact routine outlined above
>for cleaning my hard drive. (Every anti Spyware and
>Antivirus application listed, and in precisely the order
>given.) I showed NO virus or Spyware/Malware after I ran
>through that entire proceedure.
> BUT, when I rebooted in 'normal' mode I did not have my
>firewall yet enabled. Reason: As stated above I can't
>enable my ICF.

I just don't know. But some of the 'hijackware' is *extremely*
difficult to remove, and it seems likely that something had managed to
survive 

-- 
Alex Nichol MS MVP (Windows Technologies)
Bournemouth, U.K.  Alexn@mvps.D8E8L.org (remove the D8 bit)