Whats the worst that could happen?

[Cavalier Ed]

I came into the room where my son was using the PC, to see multiple windows open at once; Internet Explorer and Win XP picture viewer windows were quickly opening.

I didnt like the look of what was happening so started to I shut down system and cable modem until I figured it out.

Apparently, he was following a lead for a kids drawing program and ended up on a site which (I cant remember offhand) but had 'cracks' or 'warez' in the URL hence my severe actions.
I have run spybot and adaware and antivirus and all looks OK.

Can I sit back now or could I have been further compromised without realising it, what the worst that could happen?

[Midknyte]

Adaware and spybot are subpar already. Try Windows Defender at least. I recommend buying either Counterspy or Spysweeper, though.

Antivirus/Antispy (http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=161595)

Kids should be using a limited user account, since that would prevent him from installing most applications that require admin rights.

[cat5e]

It is quite common that types of Spywares might leave Registry Hooks behind that are not cleaned by the AntiSpyware programs.

As a result, after cleaning you might have Hang-Ups since the Hook sends the OS to files that were removed by the Antispyware applications.

If this would happen, you have to follow this, http://www.ezlan.net/clean#refreshnet

:t

P.S. Microsoft Anti Spyware is Now Windows Defender.

I just downloaded the Interface is Very Cool.

When installed it seems to be installed in Hide mode. I.e. there is No Icon to double click and start. Re Start, the computer after the Installation and it would load into the Tray Bar.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

[Kandar]

I decided to download Microsoft’s antispyware app after hearing much praise about it and many negative views about Adaware and Spybot.
I scanned the system first with adaware Pro SE which found 3 tracking cookies and then with Spybot S & D which found a further 7 nefarious items.
I chose to ignore all these items and allow Microsoft’s Antispyware app to do its thing.
After turning everything on and updating the MS software definitions I ran a FULL scan of the system. With such high praise for Microsoft’s offering I was somewhat confused when it completed the scan having not detected ANYTHING and gave the system a clean bill of health. I immediately rescanned the machine with Adaware and Spybot which detected all the same problems as before.

Why the fuss? I see nothing compelling here to rate this product higher than any of its competitors. As far as I can see it is not trustworthy as a spyware detection application as it appears to either turn a blind eye to the presence of many high risk spyware components or mentions but misleads the user by giving recommendations to ignore them completely. It’s as effective as windows firewall, i.e. it’s better than nothing at all and it will do until you install a better one.

Thanks but no thanks,

[Midknyte]

MSAS has never scanned for cookies. If you just set your IE to clear the cookies, then that's not really an issue.

Adaware and Spybot have some false positives also. Both of them will detect Alexa on a clean install of windows.

Windows Defender isn't the best, but it's pretty good for free. You should invest in Spysweeper or Counterspy instead.

[AllGamer]

AdAware is a waste of time, it have false positives, and it can;t even detect half the stuff SpyBot or any other AntiSpy/SPAM tool can detect.

[Strawbs]

just installed and updated Windows Defender!

I have to say that I don't like the way it just waltzed past my Kerio PF without so much as a Please .., May I..., or Thank You! Set Access to Ask! :p

And although I've disabled Scheduled Scans, WinPatrol informs me that it is attempting to set a schedule anyway. Setting Denied! :p

Why bother with the options MS? :rolleyes:

I'll be keeping a suspicious eye on this app. :cool:

[Strawbs]

Everytime I boot or reboot my system - Defender wants to set a schedule! How can it do that unless it's loading on startup from a hidden file?

Nothing shows up in any startup program monitor I have installed - and I have a few of them, including: WinPatrol, Startup Cop, Spybot S+D.

Can anyone suggest a couple more before I nuke this app for good? :mad:

[cat5e]

Look at the Tools menu / General Settings.

:cool:

[Strawbs]

I've had automatic scheduling off since install.

The second pic is the WinPatrol warning.

[Strawbs]

FYI: I've also had a look in MSConfig & Startup Control Panel without success. :(