Question:
Please help, Computer problem!!!?
dawod d
2007-08-11 22:22:39 UTC
am having and annoying problem with my computer

A new icon has appeared on my task bar, it is circle shape that flashes between a blue question mark and a red 'no entry' sign. When I right click or left click on it it brings up this web site http://www.spylocked.com/?aff=334...

I have no idea how this got on my computer and don't know how to make it go away. Also every few minutes a speach bubble appears from the above mentioned icon sayine 'System Alert' The system has detected a number of active spyware applications that may interfere with your computer performance. Click on the icon to download the most recent anti spyware software.' I have tried the remove programmes thing in the control panel but it didn't show up in the list. I also have webroot spy sweeper and macro anti virus but their not detecting anything!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't have a clue about computers so any suggestions ??????
Seven answers:
kbs_lancer
2007-08-11 22:44:14 UTC
First DONT DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL ANYTHING from http://www.spylocked.com!!! The so-called anti-spyware IS THE SPYWARE ITSELF! if you have installed, REMOVE IT RIGHT AWAY!



Download Spybot S&D from:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html



Install it, update it and then run the scan and then remove what all it finds! Also 'immunize' from protection against future threats!



Also download Ad-Aware 2007 Free from:

http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007-Free/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5

again install, update and scan and remove what it finds ;)



Unlike anti-virus you can have many anti-spyware software (provided there's no real time scanners, you can find if they are running by checking the system tray.)



ALSO DONT BLINDLY INSTALL ANY ANTI-SPYWARE! Many times they themselves are THE SOURCE OF PROBLEMS!



Recomended list of anti-spyware are:

> spybot s&d

> trendmicro anti-spyware

> web roots spysweeper

> ad-aware 2007



hope that was helpful..
Wild Bloom
2007-08-12 05:44:13 UTC
This sounds familiar...You do have spyware and it was probably installed from a website you visited.

The one I dealt with had the same issue, where it would scan your computer and gives you a list of files that it says are spyware.



If you are getting that list, copy down the files and their locations. Those are the files that you need to remove.

I do not know if you have this particular file, but the program I dealt with had a file called 'sticky.dll' that is within the Windows directory. That is the file that is causing the icon to reappear even after uninstallation. Do a search for that file to see if you have it.



So what you need to do is to stop the program from running. Through a bit of luck, I was able to crash the program when I was removing it, but I forgot what steps I did to cause it.



I suggest doing the following:

Disconnect the ethernet cord if you are using one and make sure you disable your wireless adapter. You should not have any internet connection when doing the removal.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode. (Press F8 during boot up and you will get a menu)

Once safe mode loads, verify that the icon is not in the system tray. Now go to Add/Remove programs and unistall spylocked. Once that is done, do not restart the computer yet.

Using the list you copied down, manually delete the files listed that was not uninstalled. Restart the computer and it should be gone.



If on the off chance you are seeing the icon even in safe mode, you will have to crash it like I did. I think what I did was to uninstall the program after it has done it's scan while the infected list was up. Hopefully it will work for you too.



Just a note: The program I was removing was called spywarequake. It has similiar symptons to Spylocked. This was about a year ago. While the spyware might be different, I am thinking that the same steps should remove it. Give it a shot and see what happens.



A more simpler solution, might be to use System Restore to restore your computer to an earlier date, before you got hit with this thing, but that is not a guarantee it won't come back. There might be a file hiding in your My Documents folder.



Beware of websites you are not familiar with. A safer surfing technique is to disable Java and Flash when going to a new website. I use FireFox with No Script, this gives me the option to enable Java only when I feel it is safe.
Jerome54
2007-08-12 05:32:54 UTC
This program that is telling you that you have spyware is adware itself. Its just there trying to sell you something. download "process scanner" and use this to see what processes are running in the background. take note of the ones you don't recognise or don't want to run then go to start>run>type "msconfig" and hit ok. in this menu you can disable selected processes from starting up with your computer. having only the system processes and whatever antivirus you use starting itself can speed up starting and shut down time a LOT.
Ritesh S
2007-08-12 05:29:21 UTC
Go to Start-> Run and type msconfig. When the window opens, go to the last tab called Startup. Uncheck all the check boxes. Click on OK. You will be asked to restart the system. Restart your system. The icon should have disappered from your tray.
2007-08-12 05:28:46 UTC
It sounds like spyware or some other malicious program.



You need to get a anti spyware program.

Something like ad-aware or Spybot.
i a
2007-08-12 05:29:31 UTC
It looks like a spyware..you have to download an antispyware program. AVG has it. It's free too..
2007-08-12 05:28:33 UTC
spyware, get a scanner to remove.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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