I got this question from my friend & since not sure what to say, writing this to CD
-His PC got infected by spyware.
-He was using Norton 360 version 3.0 which protects PC from virus, spyware etc etc
-He called Norton & they offered him two options :
Premium option - Norton technician will help or guide to remove spyware from PC & it will cost around $130
Do yourself option - Norton told him to go there website & follow instruction to remove spyware - Its FREE
Since my friend was not ready to spend $130 so opted Do yourself option
Unable to remove spyware, so he finally formatted his PC
He called Norton to re-install Norton 360 version 3.0 again in his PC
They told formatting PC is not enough.
They told him to either get Premium Servive from them OR remove spyware by taking help from PC technician
Is it true, that formatting PC will not remove spyware ?
Are there any website which helps in removing spyware ?
But remember his PC is without any protection, so those websites should be real & not fake
Any suggestion ?
"Formatting" may mean different things for different people.
It could mean:
- Re-install the same operating system on top of existing system
This leaves most of the application untouched and likely will not remove any spyware
- Re-install different operating system on top of existing system
This makes the computer dual-boot and the new operating system should be free of spyware from the original operating system.
However, if the spyware is embedded into some non operating system programs, as soon as those programs are executed under the new OS, the spyware will infect the new OS as well
- Wipe out current OS and install new OS
This ought to remove all spyware, except those that attach themselves to third-party programs.
As soon as those programs are executed, spyware will be back
- Wipe out current OS and all programs/data ( "soft format" )
This is the best option and will remove all spyware
Re-install OS all over again and re-install all programs
- "Hard" format of disk
No one uses this option any more and most HD controllers do not allow this kind of formatting.
However, if this kind of formatting is done, it will remove all spyware for sure.
Depending on what your friend actually did, the Norton guys may or may not be correct.
In any case, it is important for your friend to try and determine which web site or program the spyware originally came from.
If not, the spyware will simply appear again.
There are many many websites that contain spyware removal instructions.
Google the specific spyware that you are trying to remove.
However, these spywares have so many variants and they are evolving almost on a daily basis and new versions are floating around all the time so the webites are often not reliable.
Instructions that are successful for a given spyware may not work for a slightly mutated version of the same spyware.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Thanks pratickm
I did discuss with my friend
He was using Windows XP before
He formatted complete hard drive & re-install Windows XP
I will ask him to google & find spyware removal software
Pratik
If I were to back up my data on some other external drive, and then use my original disk to restore (the one which comes with the computer when you buy it), will that remove my spyware? Ofcourse I will have to reinstall my other software like say Office - from the other disk I have.
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Chandresh
Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!
Quote:Yes, it should.
Originally posted by chandresh
If I were to back up my data on some other external drive, and then use my original disk to restore (the one which comes with the computer when you buy it), will that remove my spyware?
That's like a full system restore, without actually formatting the disk.
But if the spyware is attached to some external program or file (like Excel macros) that you backed up, it might come back again once you re-execute the program or file.
However, most spywares attach to operating system programs like browser and Explorer so those should go away.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Location: GTA, ONTATIO, CANADA
Posted on: 05-02-10 16:46:02
Format the drive will 100% help but restoring all your programs will take long.
Did you try Malwarebytes - it should 99.9% take care of the spyware.
Quote:
Originally posted by akscanada
Format the drive will 100% help but restoring all your programs will take long.
Did you try Malwarebytes - it should 99.9% take care of the spyware.
Download the Microsoft Security Essentials...its better than Norton and removes the most adware, virus and spyware....you will really love it and its FREE on Microsoft Website..
