Best spyware removal software

[irishbeast]

Are spybot or adaware still considered good?

 

I think I might have some malware on my system as my google chrome is set to yahoo search and no matter how many times I change it to google in the settings it just reverts back and yahoo search is crap.

 

Thanks

[CasualExtremist]

That's a rather large jump to go from "default search engine issue" to "I think I have malware". The more details you can write out in this thread (without giving personal information), the better it will be for people wanting to help you. Is this a new system you just set up or your daily-use system? How long have you had the system and how long has the search engine been a problem?

 

Also you might try to find instructions on how to edit the default options either within your browser settings or the system settings. Typically you'll need to know what Operating System you are running as well as what Web Browser you are using.

Edited January 30, 2025 by CasualExtremist
Added more details

[irishbeast]

25 minutes ago, CasualExtremist said:

That's a rather large jump to go from "default search engine issue" to "I think I have malware". The more details you can write out in this thread (without giving personal information), the better it will be for people wanting to help you. Is this a new system you just set up or your daily-use system? How long have you had the system and how long has the search engine been a problem?

 

Also you might try to find instructions on how to edit the default options either within your browser settings or the system settings. Typically you'll need to know what Operating System you are running as well as what Web Browser you are using.

Sorry yes that was a little bit bare

 

Running Windows 11 and Chrome Browser. Its my daily use computer. The reason I think I might have malware is that I needed to download a file which was clean but AVG kept blocking it, so I disabled AVG. Then Windows defender started blocking it, so I had to disable it also. Got the file and then of course forgot to re-enable AVG and shortly after that the problem appeared. Bit of a schoolboy error but its done now.

 

I have edited the default search engine in chrome settings about ten times now yet it always goes back to yahoo and I am perplexed as to why. Edge is not affected. Also on some rare occasions when browsing I get this McAfee popup saying its a dangerous site and I don't have McAfee installed which could be inbuilt into the site but I suspect it might not be.

 

Just don't want to take any chances when I have crypto wallets on my machine!

[circeseye]

try running Malwarebytes. free version. its been a good goto

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

[irishbeast]

13 minutes ago, circeseye said:

try running Malwarebytes. free version. its been a good goto

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

Nice one, cheers!

[CasualExtremist]

I hope malwarebytes helps, but you never know how sophisticated (or dumb) the malware is. Keep in mind there are malware that can even imbed itself into your BIOS meaning you won't get rid of it even if you do a fresh Windows install. On the dumb side, it might be so basic that uninstalling chrome and deleting all associated files (including temp files) is all it takes too. Would you lose your wallets in doing a clean chrome reinstall?

 

Also might be a good reminder on separating work, personal life, Rated-X recreations (if applicable), and Rated-PG recreations. For me, if it is not one of approximately 12 sites I frequent, it is done on a dummy phone/laptop that holds no personal info that I care about. Also having old HDDs laying around from upgrading laptops to SSDs that work well as backup storage, but even a good flash drive is better than nothing. I like the frequency of once a month backing up critical data (files, photos, etc)

 

Also, ebay.com has an auction section where I've been able to buy 2 functional laptops with questionable screens at best (but working HDMI ports) for $12 and $14 free shipping. They are dogshit 2-core processors and dont do much more than run Chrome, but they help physically isolate me from attacks when I find it necessary.

*One purchase was a month ago, so the cheap devices are still floating around if you're patient.

 

 

[irishbeast]

10 hours ago, CasualExtremist said:

I hope malwarebytes helps, but you never know how sophisticated (or dumb) the malware is. Keep in mind there are malware that can even imbed itself into your BIOS meaning you won't get rid of it even if you do a fresh Windows install. On the dumb side, it might be so basic that uninstalling chrome and deleting all associated files (including temp files) is all it takes too. Would you lose your wallets in doing a clean chrome reinstall?

 

Also might be a good reminder on separating work, personal life, Rated-X recreations (if applicable), and Rated-PG recreations. For me, if it is not one of approximately 12 sites I frequent, it is done on a dummy phone/laptop that holds no personal info that I care about. Also having old HDDs laying around from upgrading laptops to SSDs that work well as backup storage, but even a good flash drive is better than nothing. I like the frequency of once a month backing up critical data (files, photos, etc)

 

Also, ebay.com has an auction section where I've been able to buy 2 functional laptops with questionable screens at best (but working HDMI ports) for $12 and $14 free shipping. They are dogshit 2-core processors and dont do much more than run Chrome, but they help physically isolate me from attacks when I find it necessary.

*One purchase was a month ago, so the cheap devices are still floating around if you're patient.

 

 

I actually have two setups so not a bad idea. The other is just a low/mid spec laptop on a docking station but it manages to output to 2 monitors so its as good as a desktop in many ways. Its only got 512gb storage though so would maybe use it for downloading anything dodgy like my shemale porn

 

I would still need to put the file on my desktop in some cases but I guess if it does cause an issue I would rather it was the laptop that got infected.

 

Might look at setting up a home network to save me using memory sticks etc to transfer things. Will need to seek some advice as to how to do that as I last done it when I done my IT degree 25 years ago so things may have changed a bit

 

Good suggestion - Thanks!

[CasualExtremist]

4 hours ago, irishbeast said:

 

I would still need to put the file on my desktop in some cases but I guess if it does cause an issue I would rather it was the laptop that got infected.

 

Definitely adds extra steps to doing things, but it helps sandbox issues before it gets to your main system. Validate the file is not compromised and then when satisfied, transfer to main system. I prefer thumb drives since it makes low-skill attacks less threatening since at no point will the main/good system be directly tied into the potentially compromised system. It isn't a 100% secure thing since some mid-level attack malware can be programmed to "jump" via thumb drive and then again into the main system and it also means nothing if the file itself is sneakily compromised. However, it all comes down to how much risk you have (like how compromised the shemale source is) and how much you're willing to do/pay to mitigate it.

 

Also, you might benefit from Brave browser if you don't already use it. It by default has protective filters (mostly for ads) that could help limit your exposure to malware on websites by blocking unwanted content. Plenty of videos out there go over getting the most out of the Brave browser and how to enable ads on a case-by-case basis if you want to support websites or creators.

 

I am curious to how effective the malwarebytes program is for you as well. Hopefully no wallets were lost in the process.

[Mark Kaine]

Malwarebytes and ADWcleaner.

 

In MWB do "full scan" "including rootkits"