Question

[Karnac]

Re: Does anyone know what this is for?

Alexa Object recognized!
Type : RegKey
Data :
Category : Data Miner
Comment :
Rootkey : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Object : SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions\{c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a}

Not sure if I should dump it

Brad...Google Alexa Object....satisfy YOURSELF its spyware ...then delete it. It is a data miner that records your surfing habit ,etc.and sends it on to an ad /popup outfit which bombards you with popups.

 

[Maggie]

Brad, alexa was one of the things that adaware picked up last night on my machine.

 

[Brad]

Re: Re: Does anyone know what this is for?

Brad...Google Alexa Object....satisfy YOURSELF its spyware ...then delete it. It is a data miner that records your surfing habit ,etc.and sends it on to an ad /popup outfit which bombards you with popups.

Gone!! ... what threw me was the ref to MS IE extension, thought it had something to do with MS updates (shows how much I know ) ... never really had probs with popups tho

Thanks

 

[Karnac]

Just some insight after using both Adaware and Spybot for an extended period.....You can safely delete anything that they find in your computer. I have never had a problem deleting any problems they've found.....the end result being a quicker machine with less popups.

 

[Karnac]

Since we're on the topic of security, I'd like to also say that I don't believe that one AV program is enough these days. The same situation arises as with the spyware programs. I run both Norton AV2003 and AVG Free Edition , and many, many times the AVG program will alert me to a virus where Norton remains silent and often the opposite occurs and Norton will rise to the occasion. There's just too much crap going around especially if you have a broadband connection, so protect yourself. Here's the AVG websitehttp://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

 

[Brad]

Good info

Gotta be careful with some AV prog combinations tho, I tried to install AntiVir (see Nick's link) while keeping Norton AV but got a stern caution to unistall Norton first ... apparetly having those two could really screw things up!

One way around having two AV progs installed is to use Free Online Virus scans, the one I use most is Trend Micro Housecall, there may be others.


Re: Ad-aware - if I'm not sure whether to delete an 'object' found in a scan such as the Alexa then I put it in 'Quarantine' till I know for sure ... if needed it can be restored.


Good thread here, lots of great info from all, thanks for starting it Maggie

 

[Brad]

Norton Internet Security CD

For those interested:

A new NIS 2003 full version CD (not OEM) with 1 year updates, incl. AV, etc.
can be bought on eBay from a reputable dealer for $9.50US, with s&h that translates to ~$20CD.

Compare that to renewing updates only, 1 yr @$42CD, and also keep in mind that the above 2003 version= v. 2004 when updated.

Staples retails new NIS 2004 for $100-$25 mail in rebate ($90 w tax).

Cheers

 

[Ben]

Best firewall and popups blocker : zoneAlarm
best spy remover: BPS Spyware Remover-scan all files and folders and registry - make backup before removing - Block also popups. Not expensive.
Try BPS for free at : www.BulletProofSoft.com

 

[Sheba]

I have been using Ad-Aware for a few years now. I find that it is good...



Sheba__ ~~~
Everybody's Got a Dream...JACKPOT!

------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Teufellj]

RE: Spybot

Hi gang,

- I just downloaded the "Spybot" software, ran it and I was amazed at the difference this program made in the workability of my pc loades and it's acting like a new spring chicken again. Something related to-I believe they called it ATWELL was immunized! Thanks for the great information.

Teufellj

 

[gsobier]

Maggie:

I use Netscape for everything except Windows Update. When there is a pop-up, I invesigate and crush the intruder right away... ...there are ways to hunt down and find them without sypware in some cases.

The best defence is a complete backup with e-Mail on a separate partition. You need many partitions and the know-how for this way. Most hard drives these days are more than 40G so available room is not a problem. I can boot Windows XP from 2 partitions using the same e-Mail files on another partition.

In other words, using either partition "A" or "B" for Windows XP, I have access to the same e-Mail on partition "C". If I need to restore a partition for Windows XP, my e-Mail is just the same as it was before the restore because of the other partition... ...I love it!

Regards,
George

Brad, alexa was one of the things that adaware picked up last night on my machine.

 

[gsobier]

Maggie:

Just like Brad says... ...that restore does very little... ...your problems are in places the system restore point does not cover... ...a complete backup is something everyone should have. I know, I know, no ones does this... ...the consequences are... ...a re-install of Windows and many who are ignorant, loose e-Mail and all the other things they had in the process which is dumb. You need someone who knows what they are doing before a format is done when things are so bad, a reinstall is the only way out.

Regards,
George

Maggie,

restore may not help, but Spybot will. Do a scan first ('Check for Problems') to isolate the spyware and then get rid of it using 'Fix selected problems'.
You'll find the download easy to install too, check out this 'How To' link.

Cheers

 

[Karnac]

New Scam Targets Bank Customers

http://isc.incidents.org/


BHODemon is a free tool that will list all Browser Helper Objects that are installed on a Windows system by scanning the registry and give you the ability to disable them. This will also list "good" BHOs as well, but nevertheless is a useful tool in detecting and disabling malicious software. It is available at: http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm


I've downloaded BHO Demon and it seems to be very useful in removing BHOs which can cause all sorts of problems.....be sure to read the article above especially if you bank online....I see several Canadian banks are targets of BHOs in the followup story by the author at the bottom of the article.

 

[Brad]

re: BHOs

I've downloaded BHO Demon too, and it is a nice, easy to use tool ... then I noticed that Spybot-S&D has the same feature in advanced mode under 'tools' ...

Making a long post short ... kept Demon as well as a double checker ...

 

[Brad]

FREE for a year! --> ZoneAlarm Pro + AV

I just came across this info today, sounds like a reasonable deal. I'm using ZA (restricted free version with no AV) on one of my laptops and havn't been able to network it, so this looks promising. Does anyone here use the Pro version?


Get: ZA PRO & the AV for FREE (called EZArmor).
Antivirus in ZA+AV or ZASS is a less featured version of the CA (Computer Associates) eTrust VET engine AV. Engine & update files are the same, but with ZA you're delayed getting updates b/c they await CA notification & then eventually put in on their ZA servers. ZA charges you $$ for this same AV & Firewall U can get with more/better features FREE.

Microsoft & CA FREE promotion: EZArmor FREE for 1 year. Renewals cost less than ZA. Has EZAV (again same engine but more features) + EZ firewall (same as ZA Pro 4.5 - the stable good version, but looks slightly different).

Installing EZArmor: CHOICE to install either AV or Firewall or both. If you bought a ZA product less than 30 days ago, email ZA Customer Service for a hassle free refund.

Links for EZArmor:
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/
OR
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,23132,00.asp


This was part of the article and confirms a lot of what was discussed earlier in this thread:

Also totally Free & V. Good Security Software (U can find using Google or Yahoo): Ad-Aware, CWShredder, FileAlyzer, HijackThis, LEXE, Mailwasher, Malwhere, MRU Blaster, mst IsUsedBy, Spybot Search & Destroy, SpywareBlaster, SpywareGuard, Tech-Pro Utilities Terminator. For Startup Control: StartUp Inspector For Windows, StartUp Control Panel, StartUp Selector. For Port Activity: TCPView, MS Port Reporter.
Usually Excellent $ SW: BENIGN (best Email protection), McAfee AntiSpyware, & Trojan Hunter. Except McAfee, these others have free trial versions.

Cheers


no, I'm not affiliated with these guys, just trying to save a loonie or two

 

[Brad]

Help Link

Here's a great help link for setting up ZoneAlarm Pro (EZArmor is the same prog)
click this.

 

[shirazbai]

Re: Does anyone know what this is for?

Alexa Object recognized!
Type : RegKey
Data :
Category : Data Miner
Comment :
Rootkey : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Object : SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions\{c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a}

Not sure if I should dump it

Brad, I've never seen this thread, but since it's been bumped recently and I haven't seen anyone answer your question, I guess I will.

Every time you use "related links" in the IE6 toolbar, it activates the Alexa toolbar in a sense. What that does is it transmits the complete url of your search result to both "msn.com" and "alexa.com". It has long been touted as an intrusive bit of spyware that comes pre-installed with Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

As you have seen, Spybot and AdAware both detect it as spyware and advise you to remove it. It is a short term solution. Every time you apply a service pack (Windows Update), the alexa "related links" toolbar is reinstalled on your system. By itself, it is quite harmless. I could not say the same about other Alexa software.

Ditch IE altogether. Go Opera (paid) or Firefox (free), that's my advice.

 

[Brad]

Thanks for that

See, now you did it ... until I saw your post I never used the 'related links' (except sometimes maybe clicked by accident instead of 'internet tools', which may explain having it recognized earlier) ... so the curious cat in me just clicked 'related links' ... prob is my lappy is nearly empty of any sw at present ... why?... cuz I just did a complete restore ... why? ... my fault but don't ask ... so like I don't have Ad-Aware or Spybot loaded yet ... so then I can't get rid of the Alexa Object I just put in ... sheeesh!!

I'm starting to think it's easier (on the nerves) to buy a new lappy than to do a complete restore ... I'd much rather be playing lotto!! or windsurfing!!


So having said all that Firefox'll have to wait a bit (I ain't goin to the Opera) ... but I do appreciate the advice Shirazbai

Good thing I'm backed-up ... errr ... I backed up all my files just bfr I crashed

 

[gsobier]

Re: Thanks for that

Brad:

If you have Windows XP Professional and lots of harddrive you can create a dual boot and have partition "B" backup partition "A". A restore is of partition "A" from "B" is much cheaper than another PC.... ...getting another harddrive these days for about $100 will do the trick if you need more room.

If you got something like Windows 98 or Windows 2K, Windows XP on partition "B" will save your a$$ because NTbackup (does not come with Windows XP Home) does the job right.

Regards,
George

See, now you did it ... until I saw your post I never used the 'related links' (except sometimes maybe clicked by accident instead of 'internet tools', which may explain having it recognized earlier) ... so the curious cat in me just clicked 'related links' ... prob is my lappy is nearly empty of any sw at present ... why?... cuz I just did a complete restore ... why? ... my fault but don't ask ... so like I don't have Ad-Aware or Spybot loaded yet ... so then I can't get rid of the Alexa Object I just put in ... sheeesh!!

I'm starting to think it's easier (on the nerves) to buy a new lappy than to do a complete restore ... I'd much rather be playing lotto!! or windsurfing!!


So having said all that Firefox'll have to wait a bit (I ain't goin to the Opera) ... but I do appreciate the advice Shirazbai

Good thing I'm backed-up ... errr ... I backed up all my files just bfr I crashed

 

[Brad]

George ... just kidding about the new lappy, but I do have XP pro with 30GB HDD, about 20GB free by the time I get my stuff reloaded ... not sure if it's enough?

Don't think I'm up to creating a partition just yet, though it does sound like a good idea (in hind sight) for the next time I crash (just a matter of time the way I operate ) ... will have to read up on that later, either that or pick your brain

Cheers