Weird spyware problem?

[napoleon1769]

I've never gotten a virus before and have kept up to date with all the definitions. Recently I turned on my computer and noticed that there is an audio ad playing when I startup. Virusscan turned up clean but Spyware found 4 cookies. Cleaned them and the audio message is gone.

1. Why and how does a cookie play an audio message? I thought it had to be a virus on you computer that does weird stuff.
2. It happened again and I used Ccleaner to wipe the temporary internet files. Problem is fixed. Does this mean that I should just use Ccleaner and uninstall Spybot since it seems that Ccleaner does the job?

Thanks!

[excel]

Use Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free)

[xalex0]

Have you installed any new software or visited new websites recently? Also, ad message is definitely not spyware.

[Junk Food Junkie]

MajorGeeks Support Forums (http://forums.majorgeeks.com/)
Microsoft Security Essentials (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials)
SUPERAntiSpyware (http://majorgeeks.com/SUPERAntiSpyware_d5116.html)

[townie22]

totally agree with Excell, but run it in Safe Mode to get rid of it permanently.

[DougO]

Well, at least it's not adware which normally can't be removed with virus checkers. Use Rkill with Malwarebytes or Hitmanpro. Nothing usually comes back from that. The suggestion to run in safe mode is also good. Rkill can also run off USB if the affected system needs to. I keep a copy on a thumb drive that I carry with me in case one of my friends has an affected system.

[alanbrenton]

MajorGeeks Support Forums (http://forums.majorgeeks.com/)
Microsoft Security Essentials (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials)
SUPERAntiSpyware (http://majorgeeks.com/SUPERAntiSpyware_d5116.html)


Well, at least it's not adware which normally can't be removed with virus checkers. Use Rkill with Malwarebytes or Hitmanpro. Nothing usually comes back from that. The suggestion to run in safe mode is also good. Rkill can also run off USB if the affected system needs to. I keep a copy on a thumb drive that I carry with me in case one of my friends has an affected system.

With the recent news media sites hack (NBC for example), I'm running Hitmanpro and will be installing MSE on all my computers now whether or not they Kaspersky Internet Security.

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/nbc-com-hacked-say-security-researchers-1C8483074

[charlie1234]

If you know you've been infected with some sort of malware, spyware or virus (this sounds more like adware more than anything else) I would definitely run this in safe mode to ensure you've removed all traces of it. If you're suspicious that it may be a virus, which is hard for us to determine, I would go and change some of your passwords just as a precautionary move (i.e. banking)

[Arkeron]

I think this guy is this pretty good for learning about security issues.
http://remove-malware.com/

Very useful stuff.
I use spywareblaser (not a scaner, he block known malwawere)
Malwarebyte is quite good,
Superantispyware (i have it installed but I don't like much it anymore)

[spookie149]

I'm having issues here too. Every time I turn on my computer my yahoo account is blasting out spam email. None of my other emails seem to be affected. While it's a throwaway email I'd like to get rid of it so it stops spamming my friends (and who knows what else it's up to since it's obviously embedded in my computer). I've changed my pw, run malwarebytes, AVG, the Kapersky TDSS software, and found nothing but it's still doing it. What else can I do?

[alanbrenton]

I think this guy is this pretty good for learning about security issues.
http://remove-malware.com/

Very useful stuff.
I use spywareblaser (not a scaner, he block known malwawere)
Malwarebyte is quite good,
Superantispyware (i have it installed but I don't like much it anymore)

Thanks. You forgot the T. :)

http://www.brightfort.com/sbdownload_free.html

How do we know it is even on? I don't see it running along with other applications on my task bar and it seems it only blocks ads/tracking cookies, at least the free one.

[whitner]

I'm having issues here too. Every time I turn on my computer my yahoo account is blasting out spam email. None of my other emails seem to be affected. While it's a throwaway email I'd like to get rid of it so it stops spamming my friends (and who knows what else it's up to since it's obviously embedded in my computer). I've changed my pw, run malwarebytes, AVG, the Kapersky TDSS software, and found nothing but it's still doing it. What else can I do?

Would try Spybot, as well as Trend Micro's HouseCall scan - just Google them. Am running through the gamut now myself with a virus issue, although it sounds like yours is more spyware/malware related. May need to consider a wipe/reformat if you can't pin it down. That's the unfortunate reality I'm looking at now as well. NOD32 usually keeps me fairly safe, but hey it can happen to anyone.

[Scycotic]

With the recent news media sites hack (NBC for example), I'm running Hitmanpro and will be installing MSE on all my computers now whether or not they Kaspersky Internet Security.

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/nbc-com-hacked-say-security-researchers-1C8483074

Eh...not a good idea to run two realtime antivirus' at the same time...

[alanbrenton]

Eh...not a good idea to run two realtime antivirus' at the same time...

Thanks. I only have KIS and Malwarebytes running. I only used Hitmanpro to make sure I don't have the NBC trojan.

[Arkeron]

Thanks. You forgot the T. :)

http://www.brightfort.com/sbdownload_free.html

How do we know it is even on? I don't see it running along with other applications on my task bar and it seems it only blocks ads/tracking cookies, at least the free one.

You just have to update it once in a while... It prevent some malwawere to be installed via your browser. Wont do anything to already infected PC.