Do you know what...?
The last few days I've been getting all sorts of messages, (via the dreaded Messenger), telling me that my registry is corrupted, my system is full of spy-ware, more virus's than you can shake a stick at, and my computer will self-destruct in five minutes...

Now all these terrifying messages have only been arriving ever since I downloaded a couple of "FREE?" programs to warn me if I am having problems with my computer....
...(Add-Aware....Registry Fix, etc...)
Now running these programs tell me that I have untold amounts of spy-ware, virus's, worms, slugs, ferrets, dead birds, etc....in my computer, and they list them all....every one...!
BUT....a very big but...
They say that the problem will only be sorted out if I cross their palms with loads of money to up-grade to the registered versions, which they guarrantee will then cure all my problems....(computer problems...that is)...!

Now am I being unduly suspicious in thinking that these helpful souls are actually putting all these virus, worms slugs, ferrets, dead birds, etc, crap messages on my computer to get me to cross their palms....etc....etc...?
( A peek at the originators URL's makes me very suspicious)...!

NOTE: The usual scan with all my NORTON anti-virus and registry utilities, fails to find any of this "stuff".....!

I'm wondering now if I un-install all these so-called "FREE?" programs, will these messages stop....or is it too late now...since they've now got my e-mail address...?

Interestimgly....I automatically delete all of my "dodgy" e-mail, NEVER open it, so it's doubtful if any "nastys" get through by that route...and NORTON automatically scans all my incoming and outgoing messages anyway!

...and the few internet sites I visit are the usual "trusty" ones...like here...!

Cheers all...!

Paul....dustpan and brush, ....collecting worms, slugs, ferrets, dead birds, spiders, cadavers, etc, etc.... ... ...!

P.S.   and...I use Mozilla Firefox as my browser.... ... ... 8)...!

Hey Paul...

#1 uninstall those programs from hell, you're right... they're most likely putting all those viruses, worms, slugs, dead birds and roasted dogs on your computer...

#2 download Ad-Aware

#3 After Downloading Ad-Aware, install it, update it, run it!

time for uncle brandon's story time... Once upon a time, my aunt downloaded a program very much like Mr. Fozzer's... except, she paid $20 for it, and now, her compuer runs slower than Mr. Fozzer's motor bike without an engine. the end. 


Good Hunting,
Brandon

Paul,

Is the "dreaded messenger" referring to XP's messenger?  If so, DISABLE IT.   There can be no spyware on your system, and you'll get messages like that until you disable the messenger service.

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Hype....!

...once again, you are my guardian angel... 8)...!

...Windows XP, MSN Messenger... ...!

What a load of tosh that program is... ....!

I've un-ticked all the boxes in the Tools > Options Menu, and stopped the bleedin' program, (hopefully), from ever intruding upon my desk-top...ever again... ... ...!

I really can do without Sexy Sue from Sussex inviting me to view her bedroom web-cam.... ....!

....I think... ....?

....oh....I don't know tho'... ... ... ...!

WOWZERS......!!...are they REAL......?

Tee-Hee...!

Paul.

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Ta, Hype... ...!

..that took some finding...but got there in the end...Many thanks...!

Can I still watch Sexy Sue from Sussex now...???

LOL...!

Paul.

P.S. I've saved your tip in case I may need it again... ....!

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I'm hanging back from installing all this "stuff" for a while...!
I'm convinced that all these folks aren't just being nice to us out of the kindness of their hearts, and giving it all away for nothing....!
As businesses, they are after lifting some money out of our pockets to allow us to use the full versions of the programs....the only ones that really work...?... ....!

Cheers all...!

Paul.

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Hey Strat, I'd say, IMHO, it's a fairly good program, when I had the internet on my computer about the only things I ever did were simviation, Yahoo IM, and play runescape, I was/am not the type of person to be surfing all over the net so it never blocked spyware from getting on my computer. and for those people who say it "sucks" remember... it's still beta version 

Good Hunting,
Brandon

Spybot has recently gone "Final" and a damn good piece of kit it is too!

Where have you been surfing Paul my ol' mate?

I know where I get my spyware from...... I'm sure I've seen "Sexy Sue" ......  

The only spy-ware/ad-ware killer I would ever pay for is called Ewido. They have a 14 day trial which I used to get rid of my dreaded Aurora problem. The trial period is about to expire, and I might just buy it. I'm a little concerned though, because non of the warnings asking me to buy it before it expires tell you the price.

WOWZERS... ....!

After taking Hyp's advice and stopping Windows Messenger from operating, my spam mail and pop-up messages have drastically reduced... 8)...!
Spam mail has magically dropped from <200 per day to just a handful now...!

Cheers all......!

Paul.