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 is this mysterious process that hijacked my shortcut? I was using Photoshop CS2 and entered the shortcut key for "Save for Web" (Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S) and instead of getting the Save for Web dialog, a very minimalist login box appeared. Intrigued, I brought up the Task manager, right-clicked on the "Login" entry in the list, and selected "Go To Process." The process turned out to be C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\vidifker.exe. [more inside]
posted on Jun 4, 2008 - 9 answers

My Dell Win XP laptop caught some kind of infection via Limewire which blocks Firefox from loading and produces contast popup ads via IE. I never use IE. I've removed Firefox and redownloaded it. Still doesn't load. I've run Ad-Aware, RegScrub, and every other spyware program I know about. What happened, and how do I fix it?
posted on May 18, 2008 - 12 answers

Spyware infected. Help! [more inside]
posted on May 17, 2008 - 12 answers

I believe that my soon to be ex-wife has installed software on my laptop (Win XP) that allows her to remotely monitor my web activity. How can I find and disable this?
posted on Mar 17, 2008 - 26 answers

I'm setting up my spankin' new computer. So far I've downloaded AVG as my anti-virus solution, but I'm not sure which way to go for anti-spyware. [more inside]
posted on Feb 23, 2008 - 17 answers

Can someone explain this mysterious page hijacking in Google search results? [more inside]
posted on Nov 27, 2007 - 20 answers

What the hell is Windows Defender actually doing all day? It seems do precisely nothing on my machine. [more inside]
posted on Nov 13, 2007 - 13 answers

Apparently, my Dell laptop was hit with a virus this weekend. I fixed the problem by using the Windows XP reinstallation disc to repair it. Do I need to do anything else? [more inside]
posted on Jul 30, 2007 - 3 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

How can I repair a Windows 2000 box that reboots upon dialling up to the internet? [more inside]
posted on Mar 14, 2007 - 8 answers

Canada and Computer Espionage: What legal recourse is available in this situation? [more inside]
posted on Mar 13, 2007 - 10 answers

What do I need to know in order to safely run Windows on my Mac? [more inside]
posted on Feb 18, 2007 - 9 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

Can you help me diagnose if someone is spying on my computer? [more inside]
posted on Jan 4, 2007 - 30 answers

Something verycurious is going on in the bowels of my PC. [more inside]
posted on Dec 24, 2006 - 12 answers

Two-pronged question: (1) How common are virus/spyware-infected applications on P2P, assuming the filesize is big (50+ MB) and it's not one of those stupid 50 KB bait files? (2) Are there any good free or shareware virus scanners that are especially designed to examine the contents of executable setup programs? Most protection programs just look at existing files on a hard drive. [more inside]
posted on Oct 8, 2006 - 9 answers

Does the music industry sponsor spyware companies ? [more inside]
posted on Sep 29, 2006 - 5 answers

I have recently started a new job in charge of IT in a small lab <10 people. A while back the lab was badly hacked into and data etc. was lost (there is evidence this was an inside job btw). As part of my remit I am in charge of making sure this doesn't happen again. The company has a site license for anti-virus software so that is not an issue however we currently have no anti-spyware, personal firewall or rootkit / trojan detector etc. What I'm looking for is one or more products which I can install on the user's workstations which are effective in these areas. The most important point apart from actually working of course is that I can centrally administer the software and monitor what is going on - edit firewall rules etc. So what products would you recommend that might satisfy these requirements. Oh yeah all users including myself are running Windows XP so cross platform is not a problem.
posted on Sep 28, 2006 - 6 answers

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

I'm at my wit's end trying to remove this virus! [more inside]
posted on Aug 14, 2006 - 12 answers

"I want to come with you to Redmond and learn the ways of the Registry. I want to be Teh Haxorz, like my father before me." [more inside]
posted on Aug 11, 2006 - 15 answers

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

Is there anywhere I can download software shareware and cost-free software with the assurance that it's spyware free? [more inside]
posted on May 19, 2006 - 10 answers

Windows XP problem possibly involving Windows Defender or spyware. [more inside]
posted on May 17, 2006 - 3 answers

I want to put together the ultimate Computer security kit to fix my uncle's ailing computer. Suggestions? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2006 - 22 answers

Firefox Filter: Recently, Firefox on my XP laptop has become incredibly slow. It seems that the problem is that it is downloading images one by one. Even when it is the same image displayed repeatedly on a webpage. I've run every kind of Spyware and Virus software I can find on my computer, and uninstall and reinstalled the latest version of FF all to no avail. How can I get back up to speed? [more inside]
posted on Mar 7, 2006 - 5 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

I recently purchased a new Dell Dimension 9150, I plan to wipe the Dell partition and install a fresh copy of XP Pro (I already have a full copy). Any problems/hiccups I should know about before I destroy the Dell partition?
posted on Feb 15, 2006 - 14 answers

I just got a new laptop...help me care for it so it has a long and happy life. [more inside]
posted on Jan 18, 2006 - 31 answers

I'm evaluating The Gimp for use in a corporate setting, and it's looking pretty nice. Now, however, someone in desktop software is saying it's not allowed because it installs naughty things... [more inside]
posted on Jan 16, 2006 - 33 answers

There's adware on my mom's computer, help me get rid of it! [more inside]
posted on Jan 13, 2006 - 13 answers

What would you put on a CD to give to non-technical Windows users to help them clean spyware off of their PC and doing other related easy technical tasks? [more inside]
posted on Jan 2, 2006 - 9 answers

I've got a bunch of spyware/adware. It got on to my computer all in one go, though I'm not sure how, and now I can't completely get rid of it. Worse, I don't even know exactly what it is. [more inside]
posted on Dec 8, 2005 - 20 answers

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

What are you doing to remove the Sony Rootkit that was so surreptitiously installed when you played that new Alan Jackson or Celine Dion CD?
posted on Nov 21, 2005 - 8 answers

I'm on a laptop running Windows XP connecting wirelessly to the internet. For whatever reason my dial-up connection is constantly popping up. [more inside]
posted on Nov 4, 2005 - 3 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

AVG is showing my system as sending POP email to dyn-83-157-113-1999.ppp.tiscali.fr about every 10 minutes. I already use Firefox and I have scanned my system with MS Antispyware, Adaware, AVG and Spybot and they have come up blank. I don't use POP email. Any suggestions on how to clear this problem up?
posted on Sep 14, 2005 - 12 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

Spyware, adware, and viruses. I'm sick of feeling like a moron. [more inside]
posted on Jul 8, 2005 - 20 answers

Hasn't anyone written a tiny-footprint antivirus program that monitors changes being made to certain registry and Windows system directories? I sure need one. [more inside]
posted on Jun 12, 2005 - 12 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

I found out a few weeks into a job that my employer had installed spyware (VNC) on my work computer and had been watching what I've been doing (screen mirroring) since I started there. Is this legal? Should I confront him? This all makes me feel extremely uncomfortable. [more inside]
posted on Apr 25, 2005 - 24 answers

What are your opinions of the ethics of spyware and adware? ..and do you think they play an important role in e-commerce? [more inside]
posted on Mar 26, 2005 - 14 answers

I've been called upon to immunize a friend's PC against all sorts of malware (after re-installing the OS and apps to recover from the current infestation). Since I moved completely to Mac a while ago, I've lost touch with the current state of PC health. I intend to install NAV, AdAware, Spybot S&D, and SpywareBlaster, as well as the latest Win2k patches. I'll push Firefox, too. What else should I do to protect my friend's PC? What's the latest in anti-malware?
posted on Feb 22, 2005 - 14 answers

I'm having problems IDing and removing a parasite... where / who / what can sort me out? [more inside]
posted on Feb 22, 2005 - 10 answers

Since installing XP professional in November, I have experienced a spontaneous shutdown and restart of my desktop. When it returns, it tells me the system has recovered from a fatal error that is caused by an unspecified device driver. I have uninstalled both software and hardware one by one over the last several weeks in hopes of identifying the problem. Nothing. Even system restore does not solve it. Is is time to reinstall XP, even with the risk that it will likely happen again?
posted on Feb 11, 2005 - 13 answers

ComputerMoronFilter: At my wits' end in battle against spyware. More desperate pleading inside.
posted on Jan 8, 2005 - 28 answers

I'm off back to the parents in a couple of days time for Christmas and will invariably need to tune up their Windows PC. My USB key-chain currently contains Firefox, Thunderbird, AdAware, Spybot S&D and ZoneAlarm updates as well as service packs and virus definition updates. What else should I include?
posted on Dec 21, 2004 - 7 answers