Spyware, Adware, Trojans, a Tale

Thought I would post some information about trying to get rid of a trojan. Here's what I had installed on my computer trying to combat threats: Pest Control, Spy Sweeper, Adaware, ZoneAlarm, Ezarmor virus control. None of these programs caught a trojan on my computer. Tried online scans using Norton, House call, did not find any trojans.

I know I had a trojan on my system. So I went online and searched for free trojan scans. Sygate found three possible and Avast Antivirus found "the one ". Let me give you a synopsis of what I learned:

Norton AV - AVOID LIKE THE PLAGUE - not only does it mess with your system.....it slows it down. You have to disable mail scans to work with Outlook Express.

Spyware/Adware Programs (all). They each will find something that the other doesn't - unbelievable. So I run several including Pest Control, Anity Ghostbusters (which I bought), spoybot, adaware, spyremover. Seems like a lot - but once burned...well.

Avast - Found the trojan and their online site is great. I bought their product.

Sygate firewall is free and works great. and their online site is excellent for scanning. When I'm not on the net, I disable all internet activity.

HiJack this - seems good but I'm too much of a novice to recognize what's good and what's not.

ZoneAlarmPRo - works for a while and then goes psychotic and screws with your outlook express email - did some research and this seems to be common problem. I just renewed my subscription so deleting it was a little painful. But no more problems.

And finally,,,,,BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP.

For the average (i.e. I just want to run my applications), this spyware/trojan environment is horrible. Computing has gone from free spirit, seeker mode to barbed wire, protect the camp.

Just wanted to share own experiences this last week. and not to forget THIS BOARD which is always helpful and the place I got to first if I'm having problems. Thanks so much to all of you.

Michelle

 

What was the trojan?

 

Trojan - Duh

I was so thrilled to find it, that I failed to write in down during the boot. I know that it wasn't something common. Went into Avast quarantine to see if it was listed, but I guess it was deleted.