Genealogy Chat

After reading some of the articles on this board I decided to take the advice and load Ad-aware which I searched for, but found two types, one was Ada-ware which had several packages and was on trial for ninety days, so I hastily uninstalled them and loaded the other Ad-aware the title of which is Lavasoft Ad-aware 6.0. Can someone tell me if this is the right one??? Thanks in anticipation.

Hi, the Lavasoft one is the one you need. I installed it about 2 weeks ago and have found it excellent. Sarah.

Lavasoft's Adaware 6.0 is the one ya need! Judy ;)

Right lets get zapping those nasty little bugs. Thanks both Geoffxx

Geoff: Just in case, directions below: ADAWARE Spy-ware Removal 1. Go to http(:)//www(.)majorgeeks(.)com/download(.)php?det=506 (Remove the brackets from the address.) 2. Download the free version of Adware….scroll to bottom of page to DOWNLOAD HERE and choose PLANET MIRROR. 3. Install onto your computer. 4. After installation, an icon will appear on your desktop. Click it to open. 5. Click on CHECK FOR UPDATES NOW. Follow the NEXT prompts. (This updates any definitions to the program since the download was posted on the internet. Do this right before scanning your computer each time you use it to be sure the software is always up to date.) 6. After definitions are updated click on SCAN NOW. 7. Click NOW to start the scan. 8. When the computer is done scanning it will display all the spyware it’s found. Click on NEXT (or if you want to view what it found you can click on SHOW LOGFILE first. After viewing logfile click on close and it will return you to where you can click on NEXT.) 9. You’ll now be looking at SCANNING RESULTS and here, too, you will see what spyware has been found. Using your mouse, click the small empty box, in the first column, in front of each item found, so that a check mark appears in front of it. (For some reason sometimes the check marks are there automatically, sometimes you have to put them there manually.) 10. After everything is checked off click on QUARANTINE. 11. A small box appears and asks you to name the file….I use the day’s date. Then hit OK (or whatever the prompt is.) 12. Click on REMOVE and you’ll be advised or asked if it’s OK to remove….click OK and the spyware found is “quarantined.” The reason for quarantining over deleting is because if by some freak of nature, something on your computer needs is removed by accident by the program, you can go back and “restore” what was removed. In a day or two, you can open the adaware program if you want and completely delete the quarantined items if all is well….and it should be. This is just a safe guard for you…..In all the computers I’ve worked on I’ve never had a problem with this program. I also use it on all 5 of my own computers. To delete quarantined items: 1. Click open the Adaware icon on your desktop. 2. Click on OPEN QUARANTINE LIST 3. All quarantined items will show. Simply right click on it and choose the option DELETE ARCHIVE. You will note here, this is where you would also choose RESTORE if you needed to.

I have Norton Anti-virus installed, is that enough - can I run ada-ware as well ? or is it just one or t'other. Lynette.

As usual, Colin is right on the money! Judy ;)

Hello, everyone, I'm new to all this. Though my tree's been on the site for quite a while, I've only used the boards once or twice. I have, however, been following the technical advice and I installed Adaware and changed my virus checker to Norton. I thought I had some protection but the results were truly terrifying so a big thanks to all who give so freely of their advice. I just hope one day I'll be able to help back. A very small question before I finish: my son tells me I shouldn't have installed Norton because I'll have to pay for updates. (I've got mine on free trial for the moment) He wants me to use a free av that he's downloaded onto his computer but I'm reluctant to do that after all I've read here. Does anyone have any thoughts on this or any advice? Judy: I've just read your reply on the other thread. I'll empty adaware quarantine just before I shut down. Thank you so much. I think you may have saved my computer!!

Angela: Although AVG is an OK virus checker you have to keep in mind that it is a free program and you pretty much get what you pay for. AVG should be installed if you don't have an anti-virus program or can't afford one at the moment. I know first hand of instances that AVG has missed a virus or two. This could be for several reasons. One being the PC user isn't updating virus definitions as often as they should. Two, AVG may be a little slower getting virus definitions for new viruses updated in their system and making them available to the public. Don't get me wrong, AVG does work, just not as well as, say, Norton. Norton does require a small yearly fee for the privledge of updating their program. A small price to pay for keeping your computer safe and undue PC repair bills when a virus incompacitates your computer. (There are ways around paying the fee by obtaining program through shareware programs on the internet. ) My person preferance, if I had to choose, would be Norton. Keep in mind there are several routine maintenence jobs that one needs to do to their computer, besides running Norton and Adaware, on a regular basis to keep your computer running smoothly and error free. Judy

Judy: I think you're going to get bored with me thanking you!! I'm new to computers, bet you guessed, and this one my husband passed on to me so it's a steep learning curve as he's a technophobe and really, really hates having to help. Point taken about Norton. The way my son was talking I thought it was expensive.

Angela....your quite welcome! As for Norton cost, it runs approximately $30.00 US dollars (sorry, don't know Eruo conversion) may be a little less. I use shareware so I'm not familiar of exaxt cost......price came up the other day in conversation and that was what was quoted. Judy

Thanks for the info folks - much appreciated by novices like me !! Lynette

Thanks everyone for your input. This Ad-aware software is brilliant, its amazing what Norton misses. Special thanks to Judy in the USA whom I'm hoping can answer this? I have a problem with quarantine, hoping you can help?? After scanning and checking my list, 41 items were found including the other Ada-ware and its associate programs I thought I uninstalled, anyway I named my file 03/02/04a and pressed quarantine and it ran the quarantine but after about 15 mins it was still running and I closed using Ctrl/Alt/Del and tried again but the same thing happened, so I deleted those particular files and ran scan again, true enough no bugs found. Do you think I have a problem with the quarantine side of things or did I not give it enough time to complete the op??

Hi Geoff: There's a number of reasons the Adaware program may be hanging up on you....often times it's (not always, but often) it's due to one of the several routine maintenance jobs that aren't being done and needs to be. We can get around the Adaware freezing up by starting your computer in SAFE MODE. Safe mode is the Windows diagnostics mode. When you start the computer in Safe mode, only the specific components that are needed to run the operating system are loaded. Safe mode does not allow some functions, such as connecting to the Internet. It also loads a standard video driver at a low resolution; therefore, your programs and the Windows desktop may look different from usual, In addition, the desktop icons may have moved to different locations on the desktop. If you'll e-mail me trhough GC, I'll be more than happy to send you the directions for starting your computer in safe mode. You can then run the Adaware program with no problem. (Directions will come as an attachment to e-mail so you know to expect the VIRUS FREE mail...LOL) I just need to know what operating system you have....Windows 95/98/ME/2000 or XP. Judy

Sorry , Ive been out all afternoon....Got it Judy.. Works in safe mode.. but why??? I defrag, delete cookies etc. regularly??? Hope I'm not keeping you up with this one...Windows XP..by the way. Geoff

Geoff: Have you visited the Microsoft Updates site and downloaded all of the critical updates, most of the recommended updates and the drivers? If not, you should. Like I said, there could be a number of reasons for the freeze up and they spyware you just removed may have corrected the problem. Try running Adaware again in regualr mode and see if the freeze up happens again. It will definately find at least one piece of spyware as this site adds it to your computer. Another possibility is if freezing starts becoming a problem while doing other things, it could be your hard drive is on it's way out....make sure your important documents and pictures are backed up OFF your computer. It could just be a fluke too....these computers tend to be tempermental and freeze ups occur occasionally.....often the computer just needs to be restarted to correct a host of minor annoyances. Judy :)

Colin.... You've taught me something new today....I wasn't aware there was a flaw with Adaware 6.0! Geoff.... I realized I didn't really answer your question as to "why." Safe mode allows you to start your computer using only the minimal resources so that when your computer is running there are no other programs that are running in the background. Often when trying to diagnose a problem, run a program that is not working properly or to get rid of a stubborn virus, safe mode is the way to go as only the absolute necessary programs are running. Windows 95/98/ME/2000 users may notice, when trying to run disk scan or defrag that they get an error message that the scans cannot complete because a running program is interfering. Try as they might, they can't find a program that is running....the problem is usually something that is running in the background they can't see. Safe mode allows you to have all background programs turned off so that the scans can complete. Whatever the flaw Adaware has, apparently can also be gotten around, as you have proven, by starting your computer is safe mode....The things I learn here! Judy:)