Author Topic: SLOTCH (Read 10296 times)

tim · « **on:** March 12, 2004, 18:14:25 »

Sorry if I've mentioned this before, but we suddenly had a new homepage - Slotch - take over. At the same time, a pop-up for PowerScan (removes all porn) arrived on every start-up.

Had a look at Slotch and, amongst all the usual garbage, found 'adult viewing'. I think I'm fairly adultly broad-minded but, at the touch of a key, you are into things that I have not seen before - nor wish to see again.

One son put me onto a US site which had a 'killer program', just for this, but after 5-6 tries, no joy. So, when he came down, he managed to put the tool bar out of sight. No more. Others have had this problem.

Further digging revealed that the (paid for, if used) PowerScan was obviously tied to the Slotch-introduced porn availability.

Or am I so naive that I'm not aware of this stuff being regularly available to a 5 year old?? = Tim

gavin · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2004, 23:08:14 »

The devious, sordid b*st*rds - and they're STILL peddling Powerscan from their own website, and on shareware download sites!

Euuuuugh.

I hesitate to suggest these, Tim - but I've spent the last hour trying to find any BAD references for these two. Haven't found any - only lots of university resource pages recommending them (slight sigh of relief). The two I use are Adaware (from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/) and Spybot-Search and Destroy (from http://security.kolla.de/); they've been good at clearing out the malware - but are only as good as your most recent update.

All best - Gavin

ava_banana · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2004, 13:16:27 »

Adaware certainly gets my vote.......been using it some while now......and it is surprising what it picks up......

...and thanks for the link to the other one..........downloading now.... ;D

tim · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2004, 15:17:46 »

Gavin - sorry about not replying sooner. Thanks.

And talking of PowerScan, does anyone know how to get rid of it? I've hidden the Slotch toolbar, but the scan comes up every time and delays start-up. = Tim

kenkew · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2004, 14:17:36 »

Have you tried right clicking it to check the properties box? If you can find where the programme lives you can delete it. I don't suppose it's left a delete capability via your control panel?

tim · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2004, 15:44:36 »

I'll check. = Tim

kenkew · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2004, 16:00:20 »

You might also take a look in your windows start-up folder. If this thing fires up as soon as you start-up then that's where it's sitting and why it's plonking a task bar or icon on screen.

tim · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2004, 16:34:12 »

Tried to 'remove program' but it wasn't on the list of programs.
Found it in 'my docs/etc' - 'delete' - 'are you sure' - restart - still there!
It's a large pop-up offering to clear the system. "Don't get caught with porn on your PC" - (having just installed the stuff!!! What a nerve).
Not bright enough to follow your other idea. = Tim

kenkew · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2004, 16:50:02 »

OK. If you got that far then you have a name for the prog and will recognise it if you see it? If so, print this out and do the following.

Open Windows Explorer.

At the top of the screen click 'search'.

In the top box of the side screen that comes up, type in the name of the prog.

In the box beneath, click on the down arrow at the side until you see the name of the drives.

Click once on 'C' drive.

Below that, click on 'search now'.

You will be carrying out a search for that prog in that drive. When/if you get a list on the right hand side of the location(s) of this prog, right click once on each line to bring up the properties of that prog. Write down the exact location of all it.

If you get that far Tim, give me a shout.

tim · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2004, 20:15:43 »

Thanks, KK - I'll be in touch elsewhere = Tim

tim · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2004, 11:27:27 »

Ken - so THAT'S where it was - clever clogs - MANY THANKS!!

Now to get rid of the Slotch 'toolbar'. It's hidden at present, but I don't like these things lurking. = Tim

kenkew · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2004, 16:11:03 »

Power to your fingers; Sock it to the sod.

gavin · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2004, 21:08:19 »

Tim - I suspect I owe you an apology.

I hadn't realised that hidden in Spybot Search and Destroy is a list of hijackers that it finds and removes. And of course - Powerscan is one of them. Spybot should do the job very quickly and painlessly without having to delve into the gubbins.

Only found out when I'd to do a similar clean job on my son's computer this afternoon - same idea, hijacker disguised as a "computer cleaner".

I have the feeling this snippet could have avoided a lot of hassle and frustration? If so - my apologies ??? ??? ???

All best - Gavin

tim · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2004, 19:21:00 »

Funny world, Gavin? But, at my age, I'm in no position to complain! Even had I noticed.
Now I have to decide what blocks to put on this new machine. Virus & hackers. So many disparate views? And every one slows the thing up? = Tim

SueT · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2004, 19:44:54 »

Gavin could I use Spybot with Norton?

gavin · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2004, 20:43:20 »

No reason why not, Sue, that I can think of. I'd have a go, I think.

Good luck - Gavin

SueT · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2004, 20:50:42 »

Thanks Gavin, Norton seems to work very well but I thought Spybot sounded a useful backup ;D

gavin · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2004, 21:32:00 »

Sorry, Sue - I misread your question as "Will I have problems running Nortion and Spybot?"

Silly me - yes, I'm not aware of any single product that eliminates all the b......s invading my computer - either to make (their) money, or to f..k things up.

Basic security seems to need to cover 5 sets of threats - and one programme simply doesn't cover them all. Not that I know of anyway. You should have

a reputable firewall (against hackers; free firewall - Zonealarm);
a reputable anti-virus (free one - AVG from Grisoft);
a programme to eliminate spyware (eg Ad-aware from Lavasoft);
and one to eliminate spyware, hijackers, and other mal-ware (like Spybot Search and Destroy);
and something to "manage" spam (your call - Mailwasher ----- or a 12-bore shotgun!).

Hells bells - I remember being excited, over-the-moon, when I first met calculating machines; the size of cash registers, with a big "starting-handle" on the side which set the mechanics in motion - virus protection? Nowt that a can of 3-in-1 couldn't sort!

All best - Gavin

SueT · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2004, 22:16:22 »

Thanks Gavin, I have Norton Firewall and Virus Protection and like I said it works well, but extra backup would be useful I think!

kenkew · « **Reply #19 on:** April 19, 2004, 09:20:57 »

Turned mine on last night and *wack*. Not only did a porno pic fill the screen but looking into the internet files I see I'm blessed with no less than 45 porno sites sitting in 7 folders. It seems that certain key strokes activate pop-ups. Charming. I've just spent almost 3 hours weedling it out. Fingers crossed I've got it all but I had to remove a piece of genuine software that the pop-ups were using to activate. I'd love to know the sender! I'd fill his site with horse muck! (Mrs Kew is still looking daggers at me!)

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Author Topic: SLOTCH (Read 10296 times)