Having been a recent victim of a “drive-by” download of junkware, I set out to try and educate myself a little more on the dangers of the World Wide Web at large and to learn more on the strategies that I myself can use to help reduce my chances of becoming a victim again. With that in mind, here is a list of “the good guys.”
Folks that are hosting forums:
All these folks seem to work in a complimentary fashion with each other.
- Spybot Search and Destroy from the folks at safer-networking.org
Besides having an extensive array of anti-junkware products, many of them free, they host a forum where members can help each other eliminate the junk on their computers. Click here for the forums. - CastleCops AKA ComputerCops and their wiki
Concerned with internet and computer security, these folks offer all sorts of help. This site isn’t just for cleaning out your pc. The site is liberal with numerous alerts, from both the community at large and the security experts. I have yet to explore all the areas of security this site offers.For cleaning out your pc, start with their wiki pages and forum. I particularly like their Intro to Malware Removal and Prevention which, of course leads into an Overview of Malware Removal and Prevention and wraps up with a discussion of Malware Prevention. This series is very valuable as it clearly outlines where to begin and how to proceed. It is an excellent starting place. Especially for those who are feeling overwhelmed. - Bleeping Computer
Discussion on everthing computer can be found here. This is one of my favorites. Even though spyware discussions galore can be found, I haven’t yet stumbled across a guide outlining a methodical approach to removing the junk. I will post back here if I do find one though! They *do* have a tutorial section which, among other topics, include spyware removal. Just not a step by step guide for when you are overwhelmed.I did find an outline to follow prior to asking for help from the forum members. Here it is.Need help with your firewall? Check out this article:
Configuring the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall (ICF for short)The guide for using the ComboFix tool is here: A guide and tutorial on using ComboFixHere is a jumpoff page of various software:
Freeware Replacement For Common Commercial Apps - dslreports.com
A very large site focusing on broadband topics, they have a substantial security forum that includes malware removal.If you are overwhelmed with new information, and having trouble piecing it all together, check out their step by step guide, Help – I’m Infected. The bottom of this page also includes some screenshots of what your computer screen might look like with an infection.If you are needing a slighly broader view on spyware removal, you can head to the FAQs page. Scroll down a little bit, and you will find in the “Forum Specific” section, a Security Cleanup FAQ. this is a most excellent starting point when seeking help *and* information. There are lots of tools to help with the removal of your specific infection in this general area. It is an excellent page worth coming back to for additional information.If you still need help with the stubborn stuff that refuses to leave your pc, then head on over to Security Cleanup.For general security discussion and help, go here. There are other topics worth checking out from the main forum page as well.
Even though the sites I listed above were the ones to help me clean out my system, they are not the only helpful sites. There is a large community on the web volunteering to help. Here are some more sites that I just descovered:
- SPywareInfo
A quick browse through the forums revealed a very useful topic: Software Updates Announcements. I think I might of seen this at one or two other sites as well but this one just sort of pop out for me. - Geeks to Go!
Need a quick listing of all the free security software? Some stuff is missing but all and all an excellent starting place for collecting all the tools you’ll need to arm yourself.
Free Antivirus and Antispyware Software - Spyware Warrior
A Page of suggestions for antispyware is here:Spyware/Adware/Hijackware Tools - Wilders Security Forums
- Major Geeks
- Tech Support Forums
- What the Tech
- Gladiator Security Forums
On the home page of this site, in the left side-bar, you’ll find a gigantic list of helpful sites that will take hours to explore. Compared to my sorry list here, it is a tremendous boon to those still looking for help.Head straight to the forums here.
