Comments on: What is Adware/Spyware, and can it slow down my laptop?

By: Frank N. Stein

Frank N. Stein — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

That is all "malware", which is malicious software. Basically malware is programs and files that get onto your computer without your knowledge, usually with malicious intent. This includes stealing passwords and identity, and even taking over your computer to do other people’s bidding. Yes, it will slow you down, and even render your computer useless in extreme cases. You need to have both of these programs on your pc at all times:
http://superantispyware.com/
http://malwarebytes.org/
Run full scans with each of those, one after the other.

EDIT: DO NOT GO TO DARK’S LINK, IT’S MALICIOUS. He used a tinyurl to cover it up. Read about where he really wants you to go:
http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/cyberdefender.com

Thanks to whoever reported him.

EDIT AGAIN: Spybot has been known to not update it’s virus database very often, and AdAware isn’t a bad program, but it’s not as good as Malwarebytes or SUPERAntiSpyware.
By the way, you can have Spybot, MB, and SAS on your pc all at once, just don’t run any two scans at the same time.

By: mr

mr — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

it very well could be. Spyware/adware is very similar to viruses. It often installs on your computer without you knowing/approving and usually pops up ads on your computer and/or spys on you and generally slows down your computer. Download CCleaner and AdAware Free and/or SpyBot, all of which are free, and they will scan and remove any adware/spyware you have.

By: Dark

Dark — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

yup adware is pop up on your computer or programs installed with out u noticing spyware are programs that can steal your information like credit cards or ur SS or any thing personal. download these program to get ride some of them. http://tinyurl.com/my8wh6

By: tempo1

tempo1 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

Spyware or adware "could" be the reason for a computer slowing down. (There are many other reasons as well.)

For your Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware needs…
SUPERAntiSpyware:
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Scan with SUPER on a regular basis. A full system scan for the first one, then a "quick" scan thereafter. Quarantine what SUPER finds.

They have a free version.

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

Adware :– It is a software that displays the advertisements on the computer screen. Adware is a unwanted program that is mainly responsible for the advertisements pop ups on the users computer. There are many anti-adware programs available which helps the users to get rid of adwares issues.

Spyware :– It is a computer software program that hacks personal information of the users and send it to the third party. Spyware is installed on computer without the user permission. Spywares and Adwares are mainly responsible for the malfunction and slow down the computer performance.

it is a good habit to have an "Anti-Spyware and Anti-Adware" programs on the computer for the removal of spywares and adwares. That’s why, It is highly recommended to have the best "Anti-Spyware and Anti-Adware" programs in order to works computer properly and secure the data from the unauthorized access. It also slow down the computer performance.

By: Trailerpark Pirate

Trailerpark Pirate — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

>>>>(I have a crappy laptop and I use these)<<<<
All three of these programs prevent my computer from catching malware before it has a chance to install and do damage,unlike most other security programs that try to repair the damage after the fact!
Easy to use (Just set & forget) It’s Amazing Stuff!
(They are all very lite on the Ram/CPU and there not BS trial versions!)
1.(Pc tools Antivirus) (free version)
Direct download>> http://www.pctools.com/mirror/avinstall.exe
2.(Pc tools Firewall plus) (free version)
Direct download>> http://www.pctools.com/mirror/fwinstall.exe
3.(Pc tools Threatfire) (free version)
Direct download>> http://www.threatfire.com/files/tfinstall.exe
>>>>(The Best Free Registry Cleaner and Uninstaller?)<<<<
1.(CCleaner)
Direct download>> http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/download/be21267d263119ceac00e9ac7e7ff0d4/
2.(Revo uninstaller)
Direct download>> http://www.revouninstaller.com/download/revosetup.exe
Stay Safe Out There! :~D

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

Adware/Spywares are the malicious programs that uses the computer resources , for its working.

Yes they can slow down your computer , as these malicious programs uses computer resources.

You can remove this malicious programs from your computer by following these steps .

1 Download and intall the Superantispyware on your computer .
2 Update your Superantispyware
3 Scan your computer for all the pop ups in your computer .
4 Remove all the malwares , found while scanning with the Superantispyware
5 Restart your computer .

By: Dunbar Pappy

Dunbar Pappy — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

Looks like there are several very good suggestions in the above posts, but the one obvious solution missing is to use Firefox, with "NoScript" add on.
GRC’s ‘cookie operation’ (how this stuff works):
http://www.grc.com/cookies/operation.htm
For an honest evaluation of your browser’s cookie ‘asset’ handling, what info may be ‘leaking’, etc., go here:
http://www.grc.com/cookies/forensics.htm

Only my Firefox, with ‘NoScript’ passed 100%.

By: jazzy

jazzy — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:29:40 +0000

Once again,You reboot your computer in safe mode after than download
Smitfraudefix spyawre,or Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware, update and full scan your computer.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

SmitFraudFix is a freeware specialized spyware removal tool. It uses OS safe-mode removal as base for its spyware removal, which means that one will have to restart the computer in Safe-Mode to check and remove spyware with this tool
If your computer have windows xp then you can use it..
http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.php