Expert: James Filmer - 10/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am in the process of removing malware from my computer. I'm trying to download Spybot Search and Destroy, but it keeps saying that I am either not connected to the Internet or that it can't connect to the server.. but I can still access Yahoo and Google online, so I know that I'm hooked up to the Internet. Please help!!

ANSWER: Alyssa,

The following is an older post and may not hold the precise answer to your problem. However, I provide it in hopes that it might spark your memory of you doing something (or adding something) to your computer.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070515101324AADBMtL

What anti-virus, firewall and anti-spyware programs are you using? I know you say you can't download Spybot, but just to be sure, do you mean Spybot updates?  If you mean updates, try a different download link. If you mean Spybot itself, it could just be that their server is temporarily overloaded with requests, and you should try again later.

Could it be your firewall configuration?  Are there any other programs you can't download?  Can you download a-squared, Superantispware or Malwarebytes (free or free trail), install, run a complete system scan, remove what you find, restart and try Spybot again?

Please provide more info if none of the above resolves the problem.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I used to have AVG, but uninstalled it. Within the past few days, I have installed Malwarebytes, CCleaner, and Hijack This. I have never used Spybot before. My problem is not being able to complete the installation of both Spybot and AVG, which I was planning on installing it again.

Yes, I have already ran a couple of quick and full scans with MBAM and removed what was found.. but I still am having problems with Spybot and AVG.

I just installed Hijack This, but I'm not sure how to use it..

Any other suggestions?? Let me know if you need more information.

By the way, I was able to download those other programs by using a laptop to access the Internet and saving the programs to a flashdrive, which I then put into my "ill" computer and installed.. Not sure if you needed to know that or not.

Oh.. and my Windows Firewall is disabled.

ANSWER: Please activate the Windows Firewall (unless you have a third party one already on your computer and you prefer to use it).

After activating, restart the computer, then use Internet Explorer to check for Windows critical security updates. If you find any, download, install, restart, return to Windows Updates and check again. If more are there, download, install and reboot again.

You definitely need an antivirus program too. AVG (free or full version) is fine. If you want to use another one, fine too. Don't be concerned about Spybot at this point; let's get the security foundation set up and working properly first.


Let me know when you've successfully completed the above (or if you have a problem) and be sure to tell me what anti-virus software and firewall you're using.





---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi. Thank you for your time and cooperation, but I don't have this issue anymore. It turns out that I had a bad mother board and hard drive. My brother, who is very computer-saavy, did a system restore and now it's working fine. The only downside is that I lost what pictures and documents that I had on my computer before the system restore. But anyways, thank you again!

Answer
Alyssa,

Great that the found the solution to your problem. At the same time, not so sure your pictures and documents are gone. You might very well still have them.

See: http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?threadID=325259

The next 2 links are the same as on the above website included here for your convenience.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/expert/russel_sysrestore

http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/2008/01/24/top-10-free-data-recovery-softwar

If you need assistance with any info provided on the above sites, please let me know.