Spybot finding NO INFECTIONS ever??

Question

Hi.  My Spybot Search & Destroy spyware remover has quit finding any infections.   For 6 weeks, every time I scan, it will say:  Congratulations.  No infections found!   I find this hard to believe when it was finding 'something' every time I scanned plus I am on my computer 4-5 daily and my kids are on here playing games.  I scan at least once a week and sometimes more depending on how much I've been browsing the internet.    My computer is running MUCH more slower than usual.  Going from webpage to webpage is annoying as it takes forever.  This has been for about the 6 weeks.   I contacted Dell and they said what I already thought:  That I have Spyware on my computer!    I am very diligent on keeping my pc clean:  disk defragment, disk cleanup, deleting cookies, temp files, history, etc.  I've scanned for file system errors and bad sectors.  Nothing helps.    I've contacted Spybot twice.  They don't seem to understand my problem as the first time they asked what the 'error' was, then they said to copy and export the report from my scanning.  I did this 4 days ago and still no response.   Any ideas?  Thanks.

ky331 · Answer

spybot is a good program, but it's not enough by itself. You should supplement it with the following:

Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06 http://majorgeeks.com/Ad-Aware_SE_Personal_d506.html

Microsoft Anti-Spyware Beta [for win 2000 and winXP --- will *NOT* run on win98/98se nor winME ]

http://majorgeeks.com/Microsoft_Windows_AntiSpyware_d4466.html

[somewhat more specialized, but can't hurt to have] CWShredder 2.19: http://majorgeeks.com/Trend_Micro_CWShredder_d3019.html

and if your computer is still running slow after using these (as well as running a COMPLETE scan for viruses), you should generate and post a HiJackTHis log, in the HJT forum:

Download the latest version of HJT(hijackthis) (version 1.99.1) from

http://majorgeeks.com/download3155.html

you must create a separate folder and place it there.... people commonly use C:\HJT. Note: Please do *NOT* use a TEMP (temporary) folder, *NOR* your DESKTOP, as HJT will be generating log files and backup files in the folder from which it is run... you risk accidentally losing these if you use a TEMP folder, and you will generate extreme clutter if you use your DESKTOP.

The file above comes as a compressed .ZIP file... you have to UNzip it (hopefully, you have an UNzip utility built into your Windows Explorer. If for any reason, you're unable to UNzip it, you can download the already-unzipped .EXE file from http://downloads.malwareremoval.com/HijackThis.exe )

After Unzipping, double click on HiJackThis.EXE

Click on Do a System Scan and Save a LogFile

This will automatically open NotePad

Copy the entire file from NotePad: EDIT/SelectAll, EDIT/Copy

Then go to the new forum dedicated for HiJack This logs (**NOT** back here), and PASTE the results there:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=si_hijack

Be sure to include a detailed description of any problems/errors/warnings you are encountering.

Hopefully, one of the HJT experts will get to it as quickly as possible.

WARNING: HiJack This is a VERY POWERFUL tool. Do *NOT* do anything else (in particular, do NOT use it to delete any entries) until you are advised to do so!! Improper use of this tool can severely damage your system.

Supplemental note: The procedure as worded above has been carefully edited over time, so as to expedite the process of helping people. Nevertheless, it seems that many individuals try to be "creative", and make some variations. It really would be to your benefit if you follow these directions EXACTLY as stated... because certain changes on your part can result in slowing-down the help process.

Specifically, the following are 3 very common BAD deviations which will cause delays:

a) BAD: using an older/outdated version of HiJackThis...

The experts only work with the current version. So if you make a post with an older version, you'll simply be advised to get the latest version, re-run it, and re-post your log.

b) BAD: using a TEMP directory or your DESKTOP for HJT....

Some experts may insist you move HJT before they'll begin working with you. Others will start the repair process, advising you to move HJT as one of the very first steps. Failure to do so can result in losing potentially critical information. So please, just use the suggested C:\HJT directory, rather than try to be creative.

c) BAD: posting your log in the wrong forum...

if you post your log back here, in the Virus/SpyWare forum, it will "sit idly", either until the forum moderator gets around to move it for you... or until you decide to repost your log... in the HiJackThis forum.

POST SCRIPT: It has come to my attention that many people are unfamiliar with how to create the recommended sub-directory/folder C:\HJT ;

while others are able to create this directory, but are unsure how to move HJT into it (from wherever it happened to get downloaded into, "by default")...

If you have either of these "problems", then you should d ownload a self-extracting copy of HijackThis from

http://downloads.malwareremoval.com/hijackthis_sfx.exe

Save it to your Desktop.

Double-click on the file hijackthis_sfx.exe file, and it will self-extract into its own folder,

C:\Program Files\HijackThis

dalem29 · Answer

Follow ky331's advice and download and scan with HJT. It is able to burrow down and ferret out all kinds of things that can lurk on your hard drive. If there is no spyware or viruses, then that diagnosis for the slowness can be ruled out. For good measure while you are waiting to have your log analyzed, you might do this scan, it will look for both viruses and spyware.

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Message Edited by dalem29 on 11-27-2005 09:44 AM

ccgg · Answer

Thanks for the reply, ky331.  I did download the anti-spyware and did the scan and once again....................it says this:   'the scan has turned up no traces of spyware residents on your computer'.   There has to be something wrong with my pc as there is NEVER any spyware found on my computer.   I've not done the HijackLog yet.  I'm not sure I need to as I think I need to figure out what else is going on.   Any other ideas?   Thanks again.

ccgg · Answer

Me again-:smileysad: I was hoping to not have to do the HJT thing as it seems a bit complicated. I don't really understand the "creating a seperate folder of C:\HJT". Usually any program I download does all that and I just click 'next'......ha. Also, I've went to that link's website and read this:

EditorsNote: Hijack This is for advanced users. If you are not familiar with running processes on your computer as well as anything ever installed that could tie into your web browser, it will not be much help to you.

That worries me a little. My computer, for the first time, is now disonnecting while I'm on the internet. This just started happening today. Something is obviously going on.

zbestwun2001 · Answer

Hi

Relax.....you will be OK. All you need to do is download the program to it's own folder on your C:\drive. Instructions are below.

You will be instructed by me or other experts that work in that forum on EXACTLY what to do.

Do nothing but download it now and post a HJT log in the HJT forum.

Steve

Instructions for downloading HJT to it's own folder:

(1)
* Go here
* Click Save
* Click Desktop
* Click Save
* Close all boxes
* Click Start- My Computer or double click the My Computer icon
* Click Local Disk C:
* Click File- New- Folder
* Name the folder HJT
* Move the downloaded HijackThis.exe file into the HJT folder on the C: drive

ccgg · Answer

Hi.  Thanks to all.  I think I did this correctly.  I've posted under the 'Hijack This logs' under the topic 'SCAN-Please check'.  Hope that was okay.  Hopefully they will find something.  Thanks again.

europa303 · Answer

You may wish to review this article on spyware programs: http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,122496,pg,6,00.asp

ben_destroys · Answer

Try Spyware Doctor Is so better www.pc-tool.com

Virus & Spyware

Spybot finding NO INFECTIONS ever??

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