Spyware, can anyone help me? Options

[Nicky Santoro(The Wise Guys)]

Hey MOB and Regs..... I haven't been playing a lot of MOHAA lately because it runs wicked slow because of spyware and adware on my computer. I've tried getting Spysweeper and stuff but I need a permanent solution. The spyware even changes my homepage and shit like that. It's probably the most aggrevating thing ever.... Does anyone have any suggestions of a great program? Or I even heard that you can fraud your IP or something and that will do the trick, but I don't know if that's an idiot's idea or even illegal. Any Suggestions are greatly appreciated

Sincerely and Respectfully,

Nicky Santoro(The Wise Guys)

[gregoryas]

Nicky, the adware/spyware problem is indeed awful. Everyone has given you good advice so far but you need to know that some spyware programs have "ticklers" that reinstall after another program deletes them. The one that comes to mind is CoolWebSearch. There are others although I do not know them all.

It depends on your operating system, but there are several ways to determine what is running on your system. If your homepage keeps changing after a sweep then make note of the page it sends you to and Google for it. Usually others have had the same problem and also have a solution. Please use common sense and do not reformat unless there is no other choice. (Does happen.)

Personally, I use a four step approach:
1.) Use Mozilla FireFox as a browser. It does not let pop-ups and things of that nature through. You may lose some functionality but I think it is worth it.

2.) Get SpyBot, Adaware, and Spy Sweeper. Run them each in turn. Only the unregistered version of Spy Sweeper stays active.

3.) Get a good anti-virus program. I would recommend AVG Free Edition by Grisoft. It is quite effective. (Your computer may be running slow because of trojans and/or viruses.)

4.) Use common sense when web surfing and never download anything you are not sure about.

I am by no means an expert, but the advice I have given you is sound and has worked for me in the past. I hope this helps and good luck.