Antispyware pop up problem

Bill Myrick · From: Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)

I have a red ball with a white X in it that has appeared in my start up tool bar that I cannot get rid of. About every minute or two a little window will pop up pointing to it and saying " Your Computer is infected!" "Windows has detected spyware infection.
"It is recommended to use special antispyware tools to prevent data loss. Windows will now download and install the most up-to-date antispyware for you. Click here to protect your computer from spyware"
I cannot open it nor can I find anyway to locate and get rid of it !! I don't know it's source and right clicking don't help. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks--- Bill Myrick

Wiz Feinberg · From: Mid-Michigan, USA

Bill;
DO NOT CLICK ON THAT POPUP NOTICE!

Your computer is already infected with spyware/adware, but not necessarily the ones aluded to by the popup notice. That notice itself is caused by an infection known as SpySheriff, or SpywareQuake, or SpyTrooper, or SpyAxe, or a variant of those vermine programs. These infections goad you into purchasing their product by using false positives and scare tactics. If you are foolish enough to pay them their extortion fee the program you download will simply remove the false detections and show an All Clean message. These are known in the trade as Rogue Anti-Spyware programs.

I have an extensive article about these programs on my blog post about Rogue Anti-Spyware Programs.

You need to obtain a reputable spyware removal program, update it, then scan for and remove all threats. You can also seek assistance on spyware removal help forums like this one that particularly deals with SpySheriff: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic22402.html

Links to reputable anti-spyware vendors:

CWShredder

[url=http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html title=]Spybot Search & Destroy[/url]

Spyware Blaster

Ad-Aware Personal

SiteAdvisor Toolbar

Windows Defender

Rogue Anti-Spyware list

------------------
Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices

[This message was edited by Wiz Feinberg on 20 June 2006 at 08:37 AM.]

[This message was edited by Wiz Feinberg on 20 June 2006 at 08:44 AM.]

Wiz Feinberg · From: Mid-Michigan, USA

You can scan your computer for viruses and spyware for free, with Panda' s Active Scan.

quote:
Active Scan
* Scans, disinfects and eliminates over 110,000 viruses, worms and Trojans from all system devices, hard disks, compressed file and all your email.
* Detects spyware. 84 percent of malware installed on computers worldwide is spyware. Do you know if your PC is spyware free?
* NEW! Detects the following types of malware:
* Dialers
* Hacking tools
* Jokes
* Security risks

Your second opinion on the security of your PC

* It incorporates a powerful heuristic system that is enhanced with the innovative TruPrevent™ Technologies, to detect unknown malware.
* It is updated at least once a day to detect the latest viruses and spyware to appear.
* You do not need to install any programs, simply connect to the Internet and click whenever you want a second opinion on the security of your PC.
* NEW! Now you can access Panda ActiveScan even more rapidly. You can download a shortcut to your desktop or browser. Or if you prefer, you can create a shortcut in the Start menu of your PC.

[This message was edited by Wiz Feinberg on 20 June 2006 at 08:52 AM.]

Bill Myrick · From: Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)

Thanks guys---turns out it was spy sheriff. Spybot program located and cleaned it out. How good is this forum ????

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