Rogue "anti-adware" adware ruined my desktop! Running XP SP2

Discussion in 'Windows - Software discussion' started by pspluvr, May 8, 2008.

  1. pspluvr

    pspluvr Regular member

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    Uggghhh, I HATE SpySheriff and their malicious ways! I get their program auto-installed, it starts running, and now my desktop is stuck in a modified theme. I can't change my wallpaper, I keep selecting XP theme, Apply, then OK, then I right-click to open prefrences, and it's back on Modified Theme! Also, when I select XP Theme, Modified Theme disappears from the drop-down, and I can't delete it either. Anyone know how I can fix this act of, I guess I'll call it, e-vandalism, since they've locked up my desktop theme. I can use icons just fine, and everything opens with no problem, I'm just stuck with a white cover over a plain blue theme for my desktop.

    Is there a way out?
     
  2. engage16

    engage16 Regular member

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    Personally I'd delete SpySheriff off the computer... Then I would install the following programs and run them: AVG, Spybot S&D, and Ad-Aware. If there's anything bad on your computer they'll find it and get rid of it for you... So that may unlock your desktop. It does seem like its a spyware problem, I've never heard of any program other than spyware hijacking your desktop.

    AVG: http://free.grisoft.com
    Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org
    Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoft.com

    All programs are free...
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2008
  3. pspluvr

    pspluvr Regular member

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    Okay, I ran AdAware, and it found one critical file, which looked like it was in the cookies or a temporary internet folder, I removed the folder, and I deleted the SpySheriff file, which was called Live Anti-Spy. I also ran a PC Tools Virus Scan and Windows Defender, which did not find anything. I have a program called RegScrub XP, but I'm not sure if it's a registry problem, and how I'd fix it. I ran a scan, and I can't tell head or tail of which one would deal with display properties. Is there a program that can help me out in that department?
     
  4. svtstang

    svtstang Regular member

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  5. varnull

    varnull Guest

    Just a quick note::: it's pointless installing antivirus AFTER your machine has become infected.
     
  6. scorpNZ

    scorpNZ Active member

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    If you ran AdAware & not Ad-Aware(note spelling) you just re-infected yourself

    For a realtime spyware scanner & anti-malicous software install notifier http://www.spywareterminator it also has antivirus if you want it as well as a websafe toolbar,installing spyterminator means you won't need ad-aware or spybot it's also far superior to windows defender
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2008
  7. svtstang

    svtstang Regular member

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    I also use spyware terminator, very good free utility. Although it does a good job, I would still keep spybot S & D around for routine scans.
     
  8. engage16

    engage16 Regular member

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    @scorpNZ, we all know windows defender is a joke... and i gave pspluvr a direct link to the ad-aware site, so i think they just forgot to put in the dash... i've always ran that set of three programs as one would pick up something the other missed...
     

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