Arg My Computer Has Been Hijacked!

[Sputnik]

Okay so I shut down the laptop and restarted. Once windows was up and running I got the message that bridge.dll is missing. Now I've looked up this missing file on google and apparently its a spyware thing and they give instructions on how to get rid of it. However one problem thats not mentioned in these websites is the fact that I can't open IE, Windows explorer, or Netscape in order to download programs. Adaware doesn't find any problems. Does anyone know what I can do about this, besides formatting my hard drive (provided I could get all my stuff backed up onto CD without being able to get into Explorer)?

[joatmon]

Do you know wwhat you want to download? I could probably get it and either email it if small, or put it somewhere you can dos ftp it from.

[Sputnik]

Hey thanks for the offer, but guess what! I managed to fix it. I did a little more research for other windows problems (ie not opening) and found where to find this bridge.dll file in the registry. I deleted it from the registry and voila! I'm back in business with the laptop.Generally speaking though, I've been getting tons of spyware on my laptop. Is there a way to stop it? Or better question - how's it getting there in the first place?

[Vibe]

If you can---Can you please tell me how spyware gets on someones computer ,what it does, and how to stop it. Thanks to anyone that can answer this. James (Vibe)

[Sputnik]

Well it seems all our problems started when my BF got an email from a "friend" who sends nothing but garbage. Anyway he went to the website - it was a flatterer website. You enter your name and then all these windows pop up saying nice things about you and you click OK on them. We suspect that was the culprit, but we're not sure. Anyway I run adaware periodically now and it always finds new stuff installed, and I remove it. But then its always back. GRR.

[Sputnik]

Quote, originally posted by Vibe »If you can---Can you please tell me how spyware gets on someones computer ,what it does, and how to stop it. Thanks to anyone that can answer this. James (Vibe) Spyware is software installed usually without your knowledge and it records what you do and sends back info to its server about your internet habits. Often its to direct advertising to you - so then you may get pop ups about great new stuff they want you to try and crap like that.

[rasermon]

Quote, originally posted by Sputnik »Generally speaking though, I've been getting tons of spyware on my laptop. Is there a way to stop it? Or better question - how's it getting there in the first place?You can download Ad-aware Plus Edition. It is designed to provide continuous protection in real time. This is not free though. http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adawareplus/

[Sputnik]

Yeah I have that one on my desktop. I have the free one on the laptop. But even on the desktop I've got spyware installed.

[scherry2]

I tried spybot today and it found more things than adaware. you might want to give it a try. http://download.com.com/3000-2...utton

[Sputnik]

Interesting, now that I've deleted that registry value which solved my problem, I am able to connect to my printer and my desktop through the wireless router again. I haven't been able to connect to the desktop at all for about 2 weeks.

[Jahntassa]

Steps to not get spyware:Don't download things unless you KNOW what it is, and it's a reputable download.Do not click "Yes" to those Program install popups unless you KNOW what it is, such as Flash or something.Do NOT click on random links from friends unless you know that your friend sent it. Chances are their computer is infected. If they type l33t or retarded normally, this might be harder to detect.And for cryin' out loud, stop downloading Kazaa! (Sorry, it's a general agrivation I have at work...but it does install Gator, which screws things up in a major way)

[Sputnik]

Yeah I never downloaded kazaa. Its evil!!

[Pablo1669]

Kazaa is the devil.Spybot is better then Adaware, but together they team up to really kick some (removed). I use BOTH of them, it's great.Also, download the google toolbar if you are really annoyed with all of the pop-ups. it has a popup blocker in it, and you can choose which websites to allow popups to come through from. I allow Genvibe Popups to come through because the IM's act like pop-ups. You can also do your google searches without going to google.com anymore.

[Jahntassa]

I second the Google Toolbar. Just make sure you allow site popups on Genvibe or you'll never get your private messages!

[Sputnik]

Yeah the google toolbar I've had for a long time now. It rocks.

[lumpcus]

Easy way to stop spyware, DON'T USE IE... It is the easiest program to get spyware installed, i know friends who are programers and they say it's the worst browser you can use. Download Mozilla Firefox and i think w/i the last 6 months i've had maybe 20 registry's found by adaware, but when i was running ie i had about 20/day.http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

[Mr. Poopypants]

BEST FREE PROGRAMS FOR SPYWAREGo to http://www.wilderssecurity.net and get spyware blaster and be sure to keep it up to date. This will stop any more spyware from getting onto your computer, now you have to remove all that spyware that is on there. Go to http://www.download.com and search for Spybot Search and Destroy. Download this program, keep it updated and scan your computer. It will remove spyware from your computer without adding any other spyware while doing it. You are welcome in advance.