Spybot and computer slowness

If you have had no antivirus protection for a year, you need it - that's the first thing to do (scan with an updated scanner).

Then follow up with Spybot or AdAware.

If there is a conflict, get it fixed - you cannot be without virus protection these days.

shoch1,

Thanks for using the Dell Community Forum.

There's a board specifically for virus issue.  Look in the Special Interest section.  I think you might get more responses there.

Spyware & Browser Hijacks - Am I being Spied on?

You may not know it but someone might be spying on you from your computer. If you have third party software on your computer that was downloaded from the internet you may have spyware.
Spyware installs itself on your computer without your knowledge. It eats up your computers processing power and vital bandwidth. Worst of all, it monitors your websurfing habits and may even take some of your personal information (ie:email address, credit card, ect). Then it uses your connection to the internet to report to an outside source. Spyware is a waste of your computers processing power, your internet bandwidth, and could be dangerous.
Spyware - Because its not just big brother any more. Be aware of what is running on your computer, what it is doing, who put it there, why they put it there and if they had the right to put it there.

1a. Download spybot 1.3!!
http://kujoe.com/freeware/spybot.php
http://majorgeeks.com/download2471.html

1b.Download and run cwshredder
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

 
Tutorial to remove CoolWebSearch with CoolWeb Shredder
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=47

1c
 SpywareBlaster download it here http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html can help keep your system spyware-free and secure, without interfering with the "good side" of the web.
Spyware, adware, browser hijackers, and dialers are some of the fastest-growing threats on the Internet today.By simply browsing to a web page, you could find your computer to be the brand-new host of one of these unwanted fiends!

1d download an alternative browser which is difficult to hijack
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
http://www.opera.com/download/

browsers which use the internet explorer engine
http://www.crazybrowser.com/download.htm
http://www.myie2.com/html_en/home.htm
http://download.com.com/3000-2356-10101563.html?part=80918%20&subj=dlpage&tag=button
http://www.avantbrowser.com/

2. Download hijackthis

links below courtesy ChrisRLG (Classroom Coordinator at TomCoyotes, Trusted Advisor Spywareinfo)
If you have Malware (Spyware, Adware or Virus) that your Anti-Virus will not cure. 
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=si_sysperf&message.id=1631

HijackThis From Here
or one of these other links:-
http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
http://www.aluriasoftware.com/tools/hijackthis.zip
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

HijackThis Log Tutorial
http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm

To Check out what each item in the Hijack list relates to
http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

links below courtesy (Russell Smith • Educational Technology Consultant • Spyware Fighter at Wildersecurity)

why use hijackthis
http://russelltexas.com/spywareinfo/safetyfaq.htm

Frequently Asked Questions About Hijackthis
http://russelltexas.com/spywareinfo/faqhijackthis.htm

and Post the log here >>>>>
http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=si_virus <<<

Note :- do not post the hijackthis log before running Spybot and cwshredder!!