How do i remove unsolicited 'pest control' (spyware removal) software.
i received an unsolicited program advertising spyware removal
software. it replaced the wallpaper on my pc with a banner warning
that unless i installed their software bad things would happen. they
also installed an icon on my toolbar which is a red circle containing
a white 'X' which looks like a windows warning. i think i have removed
their soft ware but cannot remove the icon and the balloon pop up
message that appears every 30 seconds. Help!

Hi!!


This is not the final answer, it is just the first step on which I
will give you some instructions and some things to download and do,
then you will post as a request for a clarification the results of
these instructions and I will tell you what else you must do to fix
your computer, if we are lucky after you
follow these second set of instructions your computer could be clean.

First thing to do:
Scan your computer online with the following tools from Trend Micro:
(do all the tasks: virus scan, spyware scan and download CWShredder to
remove CoolWebSearch, this is a common pestware that is usually
present on infected computers). Let these tools remove all that they
find.
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
and
http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/


Second thing to do:
Download and run the following HijackThis autoinstall program. HJT
needs to be in its own folder so that the program itself isn't deleted
by accident. Having the backups could be VITAL to restoring your
system if something went wrong in the FIX process!
http://thespykiller.co.uk/files/HJTsetup.exe

Hijackthis is an expert's tool used to remove hijackers and spyware,
but since it works on demand, not automatically, you only need to post
a log here as a clarification and then I will analyze it and tell you
what are the next steps.
To see how to get and post a log here see the following tutorial at
BleepingComputer.com; you will only need to post the log without
fixing
anything, I will tell you which items must be selected to fix:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=42#HowToUse

Note that on Windows NT, 2000, & XP, it requires that you have
administrator privileges.


Please post the scan log from HijackThis' scan, WITHOUT fixing
anything, and after I analyze it I will tell you what things must be
fixed with HJT. Also let me know what happened with the online scans.
Probably other procedures and products could be necessary to complete
the cleaning.

 
Again, remember that this answer is not considered ended until you get rid
from this pestware. Use the clarification feature all the times
needed, I will be glad to give you further assistance in the cases you
need it.


Regards,
livioflores-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by livioflores-ga on 03 Feb 2006 18:03 PST

Please take a look to these pages and see if at least one the advices
on them works in your case:
Malware Removal: SpyAxe Removal:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal:_SpyAxe_Removal

Remove SpywareStrike:
http://www.remove-spywarestrike.com/

How to remove SpywareStrike:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic40303.html


Hope this helps you.

Regards,
livioflores-ga

try AD-AWARE from lavasoft.  http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
It helped me .
Also consider looking at the regedit. BUT! DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF. Ask
a friend or a specialist to help you. Otherwise you could damage your
PC more.

A

Try Regseeker at www.hoverdesk.net it's great for removing leftovers
from deleted programs.

you can download and remove the spy ware by download ad-aware anti-spy
ware on your PC.  You can follow the stpes listed below:

1.  To download and install Ad-aware 6.0 on your computer: please
visit http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10045910.html
2. Click on the <Download Now> link.
3. Save the file <aawsepersonal.exe> to your desktop.
4. After the download is complete, close all browser windows.
5. Now, double click on the <aawsepersonal.exe> icon on your desktop,
this will launch the Ad-aware 6 installation wizard.
6. Click on the <Next> button to proceed with the installation.
7. Read the <License Agreement> and click <Next>.
8. Click <Next>.
9. Click <Next> once again; this will start the installation of Ad-aware 6.
10. After the installation is complete, click <Finish> button to
complete the process.

After you are done with installation, double-click on the Ad-aware
icon on the desktop, this will launch Ad-aware program.  Now, follow
the steps mentioned:

1. Click <Scan Now> button.
2. Select the <Perform smart system-scan> option.
3. Click <Next>.  This will start scanning your computer for possible
Adware/Spyware installations.
4. After the scan is complete click <Next> button.  This will display
the scanning results window.
5. Select the components displayed and click <Next>.
6. Click <Ok> to confirm removal of components.
7. Follow the on screen prompts, if any.