Malware warning!

[TheJamsh]

Feel free to post any other programs that seem reputable but actually are crap...

"PC-Optimizer" was recently installed on my system, because vista' defragging utility is so hoot even compared to the XP one that i had to use something else. With it came a couple of spyware programs, one called 'favorit', which i can't find anywhere on my computer and am hunting for the executable day and night, and the other was located in app Data:Local.

'Favorit' appears in youre add/remove programs menu, but without a location, so you'll have to find it some other way, as the uninstaller doesn't work either.

TO REMOVE:
The executable one in APP data runs as a process, so its easy to find the location in task manager. delete the process and you can delete the executable, and all asscoiated files. This is the process that actually causes the pop-up windows it seems. It runs as a startup process, so you CAN disable it in CCleaner.

Next, i suggest you install Malware Bytes. A relatively new program i think but this seems to be getting raves. It picked up a couple of bits of spyware my Kaspersky hadn't even after a full deep scan. This program (when run on full scan), SHOULD pick the virus up. The free version of the program should remove it. I think ill keep Malware Bytes running alongside my Kaspersky installation.

EDIT:
Yep, that seemed to kill it. Windows had an error when trying to un-install, and said the program may have already been removed. Sounds like job-done to me *touch wood*

[TheJamsh]

Someone edited my above post... despite the vulgarity filter?

[Warfreak]

For future reference, install Contig.exe as a Defrag program along with it's PowerDefragment UI program.
Work well and doesn't contain spyware or the likes.

[cheesepuffly]

Try iobit smartdefrag, thats a virus free defragin' program. Works great.

[Raven]

sudo apt-get upd-  sorry, what?

[VSMIT]

And for those people not using a Unix based OS?

[Nielk1]

All windows defraggers use the same defragging functions. What is different is the algorithm of attack.

[Sonic]

In Windows Vista, the defrag system is supposed to actually run on spare cycles, particularly when the system is not in use. This sucks for removable drives though since they usually are never connected long enough plus I think Vista ignores them for defrag purposes.

[Zero Angel]

I don't trust the following programs by default, and neither should you:

Driver Cleaners
Defraggers (defragging doesnt do as much help as you think)
Registry Cleaners (which can screw things up)
RAM Optimizers

These kinds of things helped a lot back in the Windows 98 days, but are not as useful nowadays. I've troubleshot countless systems with these types of programs on them, and some of them were loaded with trojans. Based on the number of scam programs out there, I would advise caution when downloading them. Always do your research, or these neat programs can turn out to be more of a problem then a cure.

[TheJamsh]

i NEVER download driver updaters or the like. No way. THe only registry cleaner i will ever use is CCleaner.

RAM optimizer, i don't use these either. Defragger worked wonders for me because my laptop was a digital mess, it has helped, but ill just stick with Vistas next time, even if it doesn't have the pretty squares.

[Nielk1]

My last defrag look 2 days straight. And I used a third party one that had a much more efficient attack algorithm (and frankly was much more pleasing to watch).

[Zero Angel]

i NEVER download driver updaters or the like. No way. THe only registry cleaner i will ever use is CCleaner.

RAM optimizer, i don't use these either. Defragger worked wonders for me because my laptop was a digital mess, it has helped, but ill just stick with Vistas next time, even if it doesn't have the pretty squares.

Ccleaner helps a little bit. Defragger also seems legit (based on my google searches).

A good rule of thumb is that if you see a neat utility advertised on a website, do a google search on its name. If the first page of results warns of it being a malicious program then dont download it.

[Raven]

As far as malware in general goes, a lot of it is common sense. Don't click things that you aren't sure about and all that stuff that is spouted endlessly.
As a slight OT, when Google finally get Chrome sorted the frick out with addons and various other blunders, won't that make a huge difference with the sandboxing when it comes to malware? Not that it makes a difference, as 80% of the population are ignorant or don't know much about computers and still use IE (6!!!), but for those of us who do know a thing or two it looks pretty promising. Any insight?
My Windows machine runs just the built in firewall, AVG and Spybot search and destroy, the latter of which I've always liked. Scan spybot weekly, AVG every month or so? No, it isn't secure, the firewall is a joke, Nod32 is better blah blah blah, but I couldn't care less to be honest as it has what, 4 programs installed on it? Because of this, I can't give any insight into defragging as I have no need for it when I have 15gb used of 250gb.

[squirrelof09]

My last defrag look 2 days straight. And I used a third party one that had a much more efficient attack algorithm (and frankly was much more pleasing to watch).

Yeah, my Vista machine is currently doing the same to one of my partitions. I'd say I've put in ~ 3-4 days worth of defragging. Actually leaving my computer on for the first two and of and on with defragmenter running for what ever else amount of time has been given to the program

As far as malware in general goes, a lot of it is common sense. Don't click things that you aren't sure about and all that stuff that is spouted endlessly.
As a slight OT, when Google finally get Chrome sorted the frick out with addons and various other blunders, won't that make a huge difference with the sandboxing when it comes to malware? Not that it makes a difference, as 80% of the population are ignorant or don't know much about computers and still use IE (6!!!), but for those of us who do know a thing or two it looks pretty promising. Any insight?
My Windows machine runs just the built in firewall, AVG and Spybot search and destroy, the latter of which I've always liked. Scan spybot weekly, AVG every month or so? No, it isn't secure, the firewall is a joke, Nod32 is better blah blah blah, but I couldn't care less to be honest as it has what, 4 programs installed on it? Because of this, I can't give any insight into defragging as I have no need for it when I have 15gb used of 250gb.

This guy, My boss posts about every two weeks in our local courier something interesting about what we do at work.
scanned document of this weeks article.
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p107/squirrelof09/random/CouriorJournal-July2209.jpg

[Raven]

Heh, yup, 99% of the time its the dumbass behind the computer thats the issue.