I've came across a virus or spyware, need help

[jalicea77]

I've recently came across a virus or spyware. The symptons are, unknown programs now installed on my desktop, new search toolbars, etc. It sounds like spyware to me. The issue is I've tried to run ad aware (lavasoft usa) and everytime the scan is complete I get the message "adaware is experiencing difficulities and must shut down, etc." something like that. I'm unable to remove any of the spyware and I also cannot log onto AOL anymore...I keep getting a not responding message. Another issue is the color on my monitor seems to be fading since this happened...Please, somebody help me! Thanks.

[eliminator]

try Hijack This http://tomcoyote.com/hjt/#Top (toolbar problem solution)

also run the free viruscheck/scan by Trend Micro http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

.. hmmm, AdAware should do better than give in like that ..... maybe you could try Spybot Search & Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

AVG antivirus is free, and a real nice program too ! http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl7.php

Anyways, I use (or have used) all the above and then some, which are all good & free utilities, good start, and maybe you get your bugs squished..

[jalicea77]

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it! I will try these different methods ASAP and let you know what I've came up with. Thanks again.

[eliminator]

You're welcome, my pleasure, and do let me know if anything worked, if not we'll find something else for you !

[burninfool]

I had this happen to me recently
I resolved it by:
1.Going off line.
2.Running Ad-Aware,although it removed the malicious spyware it wouldn't remove the browser hijacker.
3.In IE6 I went to internet options and deleted all cookies,files and history.
4.Still no luck so I used system restore and that worked,after restoring I turned system restore off(to remove all traces),rebooted and turned it back on.

[jalicea77]

Thanks for all the advice! I had to end up using the system restore as well as this worked like a charm. Thanks again!

[eliminator]