I found the culprit that messed up my computer (page 2)

Matty

I wasn't aware that Smiley Central was full of spyware. I couldn't find anything on the net that was negative about it and so I presumed it was kosher. I don't have it on my PC because I don't use Internet Explorer, I would probably have loaded it if it became available for Mozilla/Netscape. Thanks for the info.

Matty

BTW The Ultimately Pointless Website is a very good alternative to Smiley Central, although obviously not as speedy.

Mulan

I have had Smiley Central for well over a month, and the problem has only been here for about a week.

But..............I am inundated with junk emails. I get about 100 a day, and they are a real pain. This explains how they got my information too. This is a fairly new computer, and I have been unusually careful about downloads, and never open junk mail. I too thought the smiley's were safe.

Use the link I posted above, and do what it says. It will take it off.

<<<the computer was making a noise like a fan, and the cursor was all over the place, but only when I was on the internet. Email wasn't affected. Simon had me check my CPU usage and it was at 100%. Now it is between 2 and 7%. I could only be on the internet for about 5 minutes before the "fan" would start and I couldn't navigate at all. The computer sounded like it was constantly working on something.>>>

I know a few family members who were having similar problems. My 18 year old grand daughter told me last Friday that hers was doing the exact same thing as mine, and she thought it was the smiley program too (and Pop up swatter...........icon looks like a fly swatter) which comes with the smileys.

After I ran the sweep, and rebooted, the smiley program was gone. That's a pretty good sign it was the problem.

Sentinel

Mulan, do you mean Smiley Central? I have that as part of my computer system, but when I tried to share it with my sister, it did the same thing to her. Her Spyware said it was contaminated. She can't use them either.

I have no problem whatsoever using the little critters all over the place. They are so cute. But if they messed up my puter, I'd have to diss them like you did.

morty

Thanks Mulan...

I am going to get the kids to take it off my computer later on tonight....I will miss them though..I just thought they were the best...

Thanks again,

Morty

Dansk

Morton,

I got rid of the smileys and STILL had a problem. The program obviously leaves the spyware behind. You need to download the program Mulan and I used (Mulan has supplied the link) and allow it to scan your computer. You'll be amazed what's infiltrated!! Just delete it when the program asks you!!

Best wishes,

Ian

Princess

I did it too. I love the smileys but realized after talking to Mulan that the increased junk email and tons of pop-ups in spite of the swatter were probably a result of the smiley central. I ran the program from her link above and it found 346 bad files! OMG! I'm hoping I won't be wanting to throw the computer out the window anymore. I almost bought a new one because this was making me nuts.

Seems to be working fine now. Not to much noise coming from the CPU anymore. I wonder how long I've needed to do this?

Carmel

Mulan, just call on me and I'll come be your private "smiley" for free...course you'd have to feed me and let me use your hot tub and sauna...

Sucha a deal....

carmel

czarofmischief

I just downloaded and used noadware

It found almost 40 files and deleted them for me. Now my computer runs almost like it's old self.

Cost me 20 bucks but was worth it.

I also got rid of Kazaa. The 30 or so free songs I had just weren't worth the constant computer problems. I'll just go buy the CD's. I guess nothing is truly free.

CZAR

drwtsn32

Yep, there are lots of "free" programs that contain spyware. I see things such as "Comet Cursor" and "Gator" on a lot of people's machines... unaware that these programs contain spyware.

czar:

Kazaa indeed contains spyware. You should avoid that program at all costs. Kazaa Lite is a hacked version of Kazaa in which all of the spyware has been removed.

I found the culprit that messed up my computer

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