I've read so much here lately 1 2 3 about not browsing as an admin, decided to check it out and yepper, I surely was using an admin account. I've set up a non admin account, made a few other changes (described inside), hoping to find out from The Hive Mind if I am now safe enough to breathe easy(er). [more inside]
posted on Jul 21, 2008 - 11 answers

I have some sort of malware on my Dell that constantly redirects me away from where I desire to go. Specifically, it seems to prevent Gmail from working. Also prevents any major search site from loading. Always redirects to some idiotic ad site. [more inside]
posted on Jul 20, 2008 - 18 answers

What free Windows malware detectors/removers should I put on a CD or USB stick? [more inside]
posted on Jul 9, 2008 - 6 answers

Is 'Trend Micro Antivirus plus AntiSpyware' and Spysweeper (along with the firewall) enough to keep a PC clean? [more inside]
posted on Jul 4, 2008 - 10 answers

I have some malware on my machine -- yes, I know, stupid. Prolly got it from pr0n. I'm running Windows XP Home Edition Version 2002 on a Gateway laptop with a Pentium 4, 3.06GHz and 480 MB of RAM. I can connect to the nets, but I can't FTP into sites (I'm a freelance web designer) with either Dreamweaver or WS-FTP, my weapons of choice. [more inside]
posted on May 20, 2008 - 26 answers

Can simply connecting an infected jump drive release bugs onto a computer? [more inside]
posted on May 1, 2008 - 8 answers

What software (or combination of software) are you using to keep your computer internet-secure these days? [more inside]
posted on Mar 12, 2008 - 13 answers

I'm currently running a business where I monitor computers for people. I use custom made software that gets by all the anti-malware scanners and through the firewalls. I have been charging $40/hr for the first hour, and $45 for each hour after that. Since most of work may only take 1-4 hours per client I've been told that I'm charging too little. Figures have been thrown at me by friends, family and even clients that I should charge $60, $75 or even $100. What is a fair amount in this business. Yes this involves spying on people at the workplace, churches and spouses. My first question. I've searched mefi for similar stuff and came up empty.
posted on Mar 10, 2008 - 15 answers

I have a mysterious service listed.... It has the name ZPIXLKJXJ; the path to the executable is C:\DOCUME~1\User\LOCALS~1\Temp\ZPIXLKJXJ.exe . The description in the column in the Services window is blank, the status is stopped, it's manual, and "log on as" is local system. A Google search turns up "no matching documents"; Norton AV says it doesn't find anything untoward, as does Spysweeper, Ad-Aware, and Spybot. What in the world?
posted on Feb 17, 2008 - 22 answers

Why (and how do I fix it) does my Windows desktop keep crashing? [more inside]
posted on Jan 17, 2008 - 15 answers

Browser hijack- on a MAC?! Both Firefox & Safari on our iBook will only access a page that says, "Welcome to Comcast" and wants us to "Click here to install". We have internet service with AT&T and my PC on the same network is working fine. [more inside]
posted on Oct 21, 2007 - 14 answers

Macbook keyboard issues: I clicked on a google search result and was sneakily redirected to one of those malware scan sites, now macbook keyboard is doing funny things. The arrows do not work and the apostrophe and forward slash keys bring up the "find" window at the bottom of the screen (firefox). How do cancel out whichever setting was changed and get my key functionality back? [more inside]
posted on Oct 3, 2007 - 7 answers

My desktop is my IE homepage! [more inside]
posted on Jul 22, 2007 - 6 answers

I need help finding an online security quiz I took a year ago or more... [more inside]
posted on Apr 4, 2007 - 2 answers

Why is Google warning that Yochai Benkler's site is bad? Here's Google's warning [more inside]
posted on Feb 25, 2007 - 6 answers

Please help me get rid of this spyware infection before I just give up and re-install Windows. [more inside]
posted on Feb 7, 2007 - 14 answers

Help this desktop power user protect his new laptop from evil internet demons while using public Wifi hotspots. [more inside]
posted on Oct 27, 2006 - 18 answers

What are effective anti-virus and anti-spyware programs that work in harmony? [more inside]
posted on Aug 24, 2006 - 17 answers

Has anyone heard of a computer virus/worm/trojan that causes a photo of someone's rotten teeth (meth mouth) to pop up at startup and occasionally? [more inside]
posted on Jul 25, 2006 - 3 answers

Where does my spyware go? [more inside]
posted on May 26, 2006 - 10 answers

Starforce copy protection: Threat or menace? [more inside]
posted on Apr 6, 2006 - 12 answers

Particularly stubborn infestation of dialer.gbdial (or something very similar) on a Windows XP machine - any suggestions, either of solutions or reliable anti-malware forums where I can post logs? [more inside]
posted on Mar 16, 2006 - 6 answers

I know that cookies may be automatically and surreptitiously installed on my computer when I arrive at a webpage, but what about spyware/malware/virus ? [more inside]
posted on Feb 25, 2006 - 13 answers

run-mbi16.exe virus/worm/trojan [more inside]
posted on Nov 23, 2005 - 7 answers

My wife's computer (running XP Pro SP2) has fallen victim to a piece of malware called "WinFixer 2005". None of the spyware or virus tools I've tried (Norton, MS AntiSpyware, AdAware) have even been able to find it, let alone remove it. Has anyone managed to get rid of this thing?
posted on Sep 16, 2005 - 9 answers

My computer illiterate family has an HP box running Windows XP Home SP 2. They are constantly installing random programs from suspicious websites and allowing nefarious Active X controls to run – often leaving a trail of destruction for me to deal with. Is there an easy way to restrict their ability to install software? (Also - was I dreaming or did Microsoft just release some kind of policy editing tool that deals with this kind of problem?)
posted on Aug 26, 2005 - 11 answers

An extremely malicious malware/adware program has rendered my C: drive inoperable. I have a second hard drive in the closet, which I can connect as the C: drive, install XP onto, and then connect the old C drive as the D drive and copy some vital files over. Can I get most of my data safely this way? [more inside]
posted on May 2, 2005 - 12 answers

Spyware/Junkware question. I've just spent six hours trying to remove what seems to be a new parasite based on VX2. There's plenty of information, tools, tips and advice, but nowhere have I been able to find how this particular pest actually works. Does anyone know? [mi]
posted on Oct 28, 2004 - 8 answers

What's the best Anti-Spyware program? I've got one or two processes that just keep coming back...
posted on Sep 15, 2004 - 13 answers

Malware problem. (Yes, on IE. Why would you ask?) This is some kind of browser hijack that keeps trying to reset my relly's home page and has added a tool bar to everything in his Windows files inviting him to pharmacy and gambling sites. [mi]
posted on Sep 3, 2004 - 10 answers

Linkedin Virus: Have any of you guys received an email in the last week from a friend's valid email address asking you to join their LinkedIn network? It seemed harmless enough so I clicked the link, wasn't interested and closed the browser. Soon enough, my whole machine slowed down to a crawl and even after repeated reboots, it's still almost locked. Sound familiar?
posted on Aug 21, 2004 - 17 answers

I have something on my MS Word window I can't get rid of, and I think it's spyware. Pic of offending thing inside.
posted on Aug 5, 2004 - 9 answers

Windows XP firewall + Zone Alarm = problem?
I've just upgraded to Windows XP and I have three questions (so far...).
posted on Jun 7, 2004 - 9 answers

Anybody else familiar with the program Golden Palace Casino? Its malware that is forced into your computer that is next to impossible to get rid of. In fact, I had to call them and they had to SEND ME a file to completely remove it. I asked to speak to their legal department, and they said they didnt have one. My question is:

Are there law firms fighting the rights of people receiving malicious software such as this, and do they have a website?
posted on Apr 8, 2004 - 12 answers

As embarrassing as it is to confess, I am not very sophisticated with computers and technology. Recently my computer has become the eager droid of "purityscan," which (to my never ending frustration and dismay) opens a few hundred pop-ups per hour. I Googled for the best spy/pop up removal software, but I am unable to tell the good guys from the bad guys. I downloaded and ran "adaware" but now that they have identified "368 spyware components" on my computer they want $30.00 to remove them. I have no problem paying to end this problem, but I do not want to pay for dreck or pay evil extortionists who create the problem and then sell the solution. So: Which software is best, from an honest company, to fix this loathsome problem?
posted on Mar 5, 2004 - 19 answers

How do I get rid of a really stubborn Browser Hijack? I tried "HijackThis" and got rid of a lot of it, but still have problems! (More inside...)
posted on Feb 27, 2004 - 10 answers

My sister called me saying that she has gotten these big phone bills the past two months with all sorts of 900 numbers on them. ($900 worth last month.) She has no kids, so I suspect she's a victim of a web dialer. Sure enough, she mentioned picking up the phone and hearing the sound of a modem when she wasn't online. I did some research, and it looks like these are fairly wiley beasts, difficult for even a savvy user to get rid of. I'm scared to send her poking around in her registry. Can anyone recommend a particular piece of software she can run that will clean house for her, without her having to get her hands too dirty? So far, I have told her about AdAware, but it sounds like that won't do the job completely.
posted on Feb 5, 2004 - 10 answers

My family is computer illiterate, and since I moved out they've been giving the family desktop hell. Every time I come home from a holiday or weekend, ads, spyware and malware have taken it hostage. [more inside]
posted on Jan 3, 2004 - 24 answers