Expert: Lorry - 8/10/2004

Question
Thanks for pointing out to me the free Ad-Aware SE software.  I have installed the software and have ran the program at least 3 times.  However, each time the scan was preformed I received a little "Red"  flashing bug indicating there are 295 New Crirical Objects listed. They are mostly Cookies.  What do I do with these and some others things that are listed? I guess I'm confused about what the program is suppose to do or how to determine what should be eliminated.  Can you offer any suggestion?
 
Regards,
Ed      

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Followup To
Question -
I'm not sure if you can offer any suggestions regarding this topic but I thought I should ask. In my list of programs I have installed on my computer using Win Me is a program called Spy Ware.  I've heard that these programs can dramatically slow down the operation of a computer.  To my knowledge I've not installed this program but never the less it is there.  What should a user do about programs like these and are they necessary or beneficial?  Not sure if the spelling is correct but I've heard of software called "Bellows" which is to help clean up your machine.  What can you tell me about any of this?

Thanks,
Ed     
Answer -
Hi Ed,

Never heard of Bellows, sorry. Download Ad-aware 6, a free program that you can download at:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

Check for updates before running program. Then follow the directions here to do a full scan:

The following explains how to set Ad-aware's settings to perform a "Full Scan."

In Ad-aware click the Gear to go to the Settings area.

The following items should be on a green check, not on a red X.

Under the Scanning button:

Scan within archives

Under Memory & Registry, Check EVERYTHING

In Check Drives & Folders, make sure all of your hard drives are selected

Under the Advanced button, check ALL under Log detail level (this makes it easier for visitors to the Lavasoft Support Forums to see what options you have selected should you require assistance.)

Under the Tweak button...

Some of these may not be an available option, depending on your version of Ad-aware and your version of Windows.  Do not be concerned if you cannot select a certain item.

In Scanning Engine:

Unload recognized processes during scanning

Include info about ignored objects in logfile, if detected in scan

Include basic Ad-aware settings in logfile

Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile

Include used command line parameters in logfile

In Cleaning Engine:

XP/2000: Allow unloading explorer to unload shell extensions prior to deletion

Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot

UNCHECK: Automatically try to unregister objects prior to deletion

Click Proceed to save these settings.  When you would like to perform a "Full Scan," switch the scan mode from SmartScan to Custom.

After running Ad-aware, you must reboot your computer. It may be necessary to run Ad-aware two or three times if you have a lot of spyware, rebooting each time in between.


Where it says,"In Ad-aware click the Gear to go to the Settings area", on the top of the Ad-aware window, there are 5 symbols, click on the one that looks like a gear.

Have you checked for viruses? Go to: http://sarc.com/  Scroll down and click on,"Free Online Virus and Security Check"  Write down exactly anything it finds, then return to: http://sarc.com/  and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for manually removing.

Hope this helps!
Lorry  

Answer
Hi Ed,

295 New Crirical Objects, that's quite a lot. Remove everything.

In the Scanning Results window, right click the first box, then left click Select All Objects, click Next, then OK.

Those objects will now be quarantined.

Did you have the speakers on when you ran Ad-aware? If yes, how did you like the sound it makes when it is complete?

Hope this helps!
Lorry