liquescent
2006-08-05, 05:08
Can't be too careful. I downloaded a fake Spyware Doctor from the
ComputerWorld website. I went there following a story in an e-mail
alert. The link was to www.pctools.com. Couldn't be safer right?
WRONG!
I could not boot up the computer after downloading this program.
I e-mailed Dan Tennant, Editor-in-Chief and VP of ComputerWorld
to complain about exposing readers to such malware. Surely someone
in that organization would have known that the ad was NOT paid for by
PCTools! No reply, not even an acknowledgement.
My computer is now restored and booting up fine but today I went to
remove the subdir that contained this malware. I moved all contents of the
subdirectory "Spyware Doctor" to the Recycle bin but for two files which it
would not let me remove: sdhelp.exe and one in a subdir Tools - swpg.DAT.
AND, here’s the omen of evil – I cannot delete anything in the Recycle bin!
Another thing – each time I click on an item in Windows Explorer, there
is (horrors!) a distinct click.
I would so appreciate any ideas on how to remove the stubborn files.
ComputerWorld website. I went there following a story in an e-mail
alert. The link was to www.pctools.com. Couldn't be safer right?
WRONG!
I could not boot up the computer after downloading this program.
I e-mailed Dan Tennant, Editor-in-Chief and VP of ComputerWorld
to complain about exposing readers to such malware. Surely someone
in that organization would have known that the ad was NOT paid for by
PCTools! No reply, not even an acknowledgement.
My computer is now restored and booting up fine but today I went to
remove the subdir that contained this malware. I moved all contents of the
subdirectory "Spyware Doctor" to the Recycle bin but for two files which it
would not let me remove: sdhelp.exe and one in a subdir Tools - swpg.DAT.
AND, here’s the omen of evil – I cannot delete anything in the Recycle bin!
Another thing – each time I click on an item in Windows Explorer, there
is (horrors!) a distinct click.
I would so appreciate any ideas on how to remove the stubborn files.