Ad-Aware question...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

After running a scan, the software detected an item of "low risk level" in the Reg Data. The description box says "General Windows Security Issue. Your system security may be compromised." and in the comments box, "Possible virus infection, SCR file extension compromised"

Should I remove this item via Ad-Aware, or should I use another removal method? Is there a possibility that removing this item could screw up my computer's operation?

Thanks for your reply...

[Deja Q]

1. Many options

Download "Spybot Search and Destroy" and run it. Use both it and adaware for best results.

Do you have an antivirus program installed?

Or firewall, though I think you've got a virus/worm infection rather than a trojan or break-in?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. I Have Norton...

But I'm afraid I've been lax in keeping it updated. ~beet face~

Is there a spybot website?

[Kellanved]

4. spybot page

Look here: http://security.kolla.de

The problem wis that many worms act as screensavers, have you installed any from unreliable sources like E-Mail, Websites etc.?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Thanks!

After I deleted a bunch of spam from my secondary e-mail (yahoo), I experienced a series of pop-up browsers...Could a worm have been attached to one of the items and somehow activated when I earmarked it as spam?

[Warren Stuart]

3. I have a user who got numerous pop-ups

Spy-bot and Ad-aware didn't do the trick. Today I re-imaged her machine (reinstalled the Operating System).

If you can back up your data, and have a reinstallation disk, I suggest you use it. Microsoft suggests reinstalling the OS on an annual basis. (I'm assuming you are using a Windows product)

Too much garbarge gets written to the Registry over time, running patches over and over again just muddles things more.

Be sure you go to Microsoft's web site to check for updates, install all you can.

[IronLionZion]

6. What kind of pop-ups

If it is in IE then use a browser from the Netscape/Mozilla group and set it to block all. If it is from the messenger service msmsg.exe then disable it from control panel.

[Deja Q]

9. Annually if you add and remove a lot of software... otherwise,

Personally, that's a !~&^$%ing joke. An operating system should not have to be reinstalled because the people who made it aren't able to make it properly.

If a mainframe needed its OS to be reinstalled every year, there'd be an uproar.

Also add in Microsoft's "product activation" fascism. No effin' way am I reinstalling anyting.

I'll just use Linux or a Mac instead.

[IronLionZion]

5. Here use Stinger

It is free and stand-alone executable. It will remove stuff that Norton can't.


http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

[mojo2004]

7. Try PestPatrol.....

the trial version is free. The trial version will identify all the adware on your computer, and is more comprehensive and finds more stuff than adware or spybot. The trial version will not automatically remove the item for you, but does provide you the exact location of name of the file so you can do it manually.

[Maine-i-acs]

8. Wipe out the file - it's baggage

The .SCR extension stands for Screen saver. You've probably got others on your system. It's not going to damage your system to take it out. .SCR files are common places to piggyback viruses.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Thanks!

will do!