~ - ~ Do I Have Malware? Is it Possible ~ - ~

EDIT: Okay, you can read all that if you want, but I think the most pressing problems are the error messages I get when i close spyware doctor. I get a few different ones. Here are 3 of them. The two on the bottom go together. If you click something on the long one, the 216 error mesage will come up.

You may notice that the exe names are different. Well, they are both spyware doctor. When I had it originally it had the name that appears on the top message. I then uninstalledit, then reinstalle it, and the names for all the executables were different. PCTS stands for pc tools, which is the company that makes it.

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NOTE: That is what I want to know for now, but you may read on if you want to try to help with the rest. it is kinda long.

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My computer has been doing some weird things lately, and it'd take a while to explain all of them, so I won't right now. One thing you should know is I have done scans with a lot of scanners which I am listing below:

--AntiSpyware--

Spyware Doctor (from Google pack)

Ad-aware 2007

SuperAntiSpyware

--Virus scanners--

Comodo

AVG

Norton (from Google pack)

--Online Malware scans--

Nanoscan

BitDefender

Kaspersky

Trend Housecall

--Other--

CCleaner

Spybot S & D

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The main problems i've seen involve spyware doctor. I got the free version from the google pack, so I am able to remove threats. Spyware Doctor (or SD) is really the only scanner coming up with anything, because it's the one I use to just make sure I'm safe all the time, n I remove simple tracking cookies and adware.advertising. As I'm sure you know, those are normal and aren't really malware. But lately, it's been showing spyware.known_bad_sites a lot. I had seen the high level kind before that "may have hijacked...", but this is a low level kind that "may present a security risk...". it's always the same threats too...from yieldmanager. I think they are just cookies. Still, they keep coming back. I can't completely get rid of them, no matter how often I delete the temperary files, they will always come back eventually.

The other weird spyware Doctor thing that's been happening is that sometimes when I close it, it gives me random error messages. I got a 216 runtime error message...or something like that. Here's another one of the messages i get. This one goes away if it click X enough times or if I stop the process. It never did this before. i even tried uninstalling then reinstalling it. Also, I've noticed that the exe names for spyware doctor have changed. The used to be stuff with "SD" in them like "SDtray", but now it has "pcts" in them (PC tools) like "pctstray". Anyway, I got those error messages before and after I reinstalled it.

It is also worth noting that i did install AIM and that did give me some spyware (viewpoint, wildtangent), but I got rid of it all accept a few things in the registry. It isn't terribly dangerous stuff. In fact, I think it's kinda between spyware and adware, but I'd like it out of the registry.

Another weird thing is the mic. I got a new webcam and I noticed that after a while, there would be extremely loud static...not really static....just lots of noise. I thought it was just the cam mic (which uses a USB cable), but it did the same thing when I used my other mic, for which i use a mic port. When I did the kaspersky scan, it found something in system sound, so I'm thinking it might be connected. Sadly, the kaspersky online scan does not remove, and I don't want the trial because I'd have to get rid of my other scanners.

Okay, so yeah....in conclusion....I think it's those messages I get from spyware doctor that concern me most. As I said, the "spyware" stuff I'm getting is considered a low level threat.

Damn man if you have all of those installed at the same time you are going way overboard. (Going to too many naughty sites?) Get one decent antivirus program, like Kaparsky or something and a couple spyware programs, personally I use Adaware and something included in System Mechanic Pro, which is a very good program for system maintainence and includes a decent virus/spyware/firewall. You might also need to do some system maintainence like defrag and clean disk too, if you already havent. (or use system mechanic trial, its good for 30 days, does ALLOT more)

I do not know details about every spyware program you mentioned, but often they do not totally or successfully remove all spyware. Sometimes you have to look in the log to find the spyware process for the bad item, disable it in in the system manager, then complete the scan or delete the files noted in the spyware search log manually.

Good luck, I cant think anymore.

drwtsn32 runs when the computer has an error, it's not malware or a virus.3DayFinisher

:shock: Howd you know that! lol

Sounds like maybe he needs to do some sys maintainence/updating. eh?

Damn man if you have all of those installed at the same time you are going way overboard. (Going to too many naughty sites?) Get one decent antivirus program, like Kaparsky or something and a couple spyware programs, personally I use Adaware and something included in System Mechanic Pro, which is a very good program for system maintainence and includes a decent virus/spyware/firewall. You might also need to do some system maintainence like defrag and clean disk too, if you already havent. (or use system mechanic trial, its good for 30 days, does ALLOT more)

I do not know details about every spyware program you mentioned, but often they do not totally or successfully remove all spyware. Sometimes you have to look in the log to find the spyware process for the bad item, disable it in in the system manager, then complete the scan or delete the files noted in the spyware search log manually.

Good luck, I cant think anymore.

quadraleap

No, I never go to any naughty sites. I go fun sites for pure, innocent young children like me. Sites that encourage creative thinking and peaceful living.

Besides, some of those were online scans. The only real virus scanner I have is AVG. The main spyware scanner I have is spyware doctor. I rarely use that little norton scanner 9the one from the google pack is just a small thing).

Just a little advice here from a person who has worked in the internet technical support field.

All those anti-virus, anti-ad, anti-spyware programs you have listed, delete them.

Keep or download the latest from AVG, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Ad-Aware

Those three programs are all you need to keep your computer secure plus you have windows firewall. Having too much security, like you have, will make your computer unable to do anything. Sure you might be able to do stuff now but over time it will start to screw things up.

Just a little advice here from a person who has worked in the internet technical support field.

All those anti-virus, anti-ad, anti-spyware programs you have listed, delete them.

Keep or download the latest from AVG, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Ad-Aware

Those three programs are all you need to keep your computer secure plus you have windows firewall. Having too much security, like you have, will make your computer unable to do anything. Sure you might be able to do stuff now but over time it will start to screw things up.

SunofVich

What about Comodo? And what about spyware doctor? isn't that the best?

I have to admit, this firewall is pretty annoying, but at least it's safe. Though I do feel like all this security stuff is making my life worse. I'm serious. it does take up a lot of time.

No, I never go to any naughty sites. I go fun sites for pure, innocent young children like me. Sites that encourage creative thinking and peaceful living.

Rukaru

I'm so glad there are still good children in the world like you. Keep up the good work. ;)

Wow, that's way to many programs. When you have that many they tend to get in the way of one another. I just have Norton and Spybot and my CPU is clean. Stick with one or two strong programs, and drop the rest. Cube_of_MooN

So many people are telling me that!

Let me get this strait....some of the top minds of this place are telling me to take things out of the computer. They are telling me that all these things are just making the computer worse. Well, I've got news for you. I'M NOT TAKING THEM OUT! That's right. I can't just give up the fight now. Viruses are the enemies. All the enemies have to be eliminated. I just know that there are viruses of mass destruction in here somewhere. I do know what I'm talking about. And to tell you all the truth, I don't really care what happens to the computer. If I take all those things out now, the enemies win. No. I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to get even more things on the computer. I will spend a lot of money too on this too. No, not my money. I'm going to use my family, friends, and relatives' money. And now, I'm going to do the same thing with the other, larger computer that is next to it. I know you all want the same thing, but I know better. I'm in charge here.

but I know better. I'm in charge here. Rukaru

Okay, I just tested the ability of my antispyware programs using only quick scans: Spyware Doctor, Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D, superantispyware

Superantispyware found nothing

Spybot S&D found some cookies, including some that the others did not find

Spyware Doctor found more, including those yieldmanager low level "spyware.Known_bad_sites"

Ad-Aware found the most, but it did not tell me that the yieldmanager cookies were spyware

So, I really think it's good to have all of them. I know superantispyware didn't find any, but it does have a memory test. Those yieldmanager cookies were only classified as spyware by Spyware Doctor and not Ad-aware (which also found them). The thing is, those things never came up befor, and the fact that they keep coming back tells me something is wrong. Going by ad-aware alone, I would never have known.

- NOD32

- AVG

- Peer Guardian 2

Have those and you should be good, at least in my experience.

(search and destroy is alright to.. JUST STAY AWAY FROM NORTON, it slows down your PC and alot of hackers just make viruses for that program)

Just a little advice here from a person who has worked in the internet technical support field.

All those anti-virus, anti-ad, anti-spyware programs you have listed, delete them.

Keep or download the latest from AVG, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Ad-Aware

Those three programs are all you need to keep your computer secure plus you have windows firewall. Having too much security, like you have, will make your computer unable to do anything. Sure you might be able to do stuff now but over time it will start to screw things up.

SunofVich

LOL

[QUOTE="Cube_of_MooN"]Wow, that's way to many programs. When you have that many they tend to get in the way of one another. I just have Norton and Spybot and my CPU is clean. Stick with one or two strong programs, and drop the rest. Rukaru

So many people are telling me that!

Let me get this strait....some of the top minds of this place are telling me to take things out of the computer. They are telling me that all these things are just making the computer worse. Well, I've got news for you. I'M NOT TAKING THEM OUT! That's right. I can't just give up the fight now. Viruses are the enemies. All the enemies have to be eliminated. I just know that there are viruses of mass destruction in here somewhere. I do know what I'm talking about. And to tell you all the truth, I don't really care what happens to the computer. If I take all those things out now, the enemies win. No. I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to get even more things on the computer. I will spend a lot of money too on this too. No, not my money. I'm going to use my family, friends, and relatives' money. And now, I'm going to do the same thing with the other, larger computer that is next to it. I know you all want the same thing, but I know better. I'm in charge here.

LOL

Very clever. It doesn't look like anyone else has figured it out yet.

Anyway, I think you should at least get rid of the Norton scanner.....and SuperAntiSpyware. I would also find another firewall that isn't so annoying. Comodo is more annoying than vista, and most people don't consider it worth it.

[QUOTE="Rukaru"]

[QUOTE="Cube_of_MooN"]Wow, that's way to many programs. When you have that many they tend to get in the way of one another. I just have Norton and Spybot and my CPU is clean. Stick with one or two strong programs, and drop the rest. champion_tyler

So many people are telling me that!

Let me get this strait....some of the top minds of this place are telling me to take things out of the computer. They are telling me that all these things are just making the computer worse. Well, I've got news for you. I'M NOT TAKING THEM OUT! That's right. I can't just give up the fight now. Viruses are the enemies. All the enemies have to be eliminated. I just know that there are viruses of mass destruction in here somewhere. I do know what I'm talking about. And to tell you all the truth, I don't really care what happens to the computer. If I take all those things out now, the enemies win. No. I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to get even more things on the computer. I will spend a lot of money too on this too. No, not my money. I'm going to use my family, friends, and relatives' money. And now, I'm going to do the same thing with the other, larger computer that is next to it. I know you all want the same thing, but I know better. I'm in charge here.

LOL

Very clever. It doesn't look like anyone else has figured it out yet.

Anyway, I think you should at least get rid of the Norton scanner.....and SuperAntiSpyware. I would also find another firewall that isn't so annoying. Comodo is more annoying than vista, and most people don't consider it worth it.

It's less annoying now though. It just takes a while to learn everything.