Over the last 2 days, I've had and "infection" that loaded several unwanted softwares onto my computer. It's been a "Hey, where did that come from!" thing. Apparently they come "free" with other software you may download or websites you visit.
White Smoke software
Conduit Search
Software Updater
These put toolbars on your browsers (IE, Firefox and Chrome), and White Smoke did pop-ups on my desktop. They also changed my search engine. Somehow, Google Chrome kept coming back too, even after removing. I suspect that was a result of "Software Updater". The Software Updater is not as obvious as the others but one web site said it was one of the programs installed with the others.
Removal:
In your browser's Add-ons, remove any of the three you find as Extensions or Plug-ins. While you're there, look for other add-ons that you don't remember adding.
Go to your Control Panel/Programs and remove/delete any of the three you find.
More information - do a search for "White Smoke" and "Conduit Search"
PS. Looks like "GetSavin" is an adware tracking program too. Remove from your Control Panel/Programs.
That is troubling. I found that you need to look at the download or install page before you hit the "OK" or "install" button and uncheck any box that also installs unwanted software along with what you really wanted. That is sneaky. It's like having to press "1" to continue in English! Grrrrrrrrr......
When you do any of the updates they force on you for software you use, you MUST read all the options and not just keep clicking Agree, OK, etc. They will often sneak in a partner's software so you wind up with stuff you didn't want. That's how people usually end up with multiple search bars in their browser,m and multiple virus checkers, for instance.
Not sure that is what happened to you, but something to watch for.
Never install any of the toolbars offered, I use malwarebytes and adaware on top of our company installed virus/malware scanner. You may want to make sure you have an anti-rootkit scanner as well. Some of these "programs" will seriously mess up your registry.
It gets me every time I install new software for the new gadgets to add to use with my PC and Laptop.
The install software comes with built in advertisements that you must do a custom install to catch and turn off or you will install Norton, tool bars, coupon finders, alerts for certain advertisements and more garbage you never want on your computer.
Avast is a great Antivirus program.
On its recent upgrade they added a Software Updater that drives me crazy. When I use an older program like Topo Plus or something I use very rarely, it will block it from opening until I add that program to the "do not check" list.
Then I must force a restart of my computer because it leaves the program mid stream in the background cause the hourglass stays by my cursor on the desktop and keeps my processing at near 100% trying to do unnecessary tasks.
Those darn addon toolbars and other ad based software should be highlighted in red adn not hidden in the small print.
grrrrrrrrrrrr indeed
I never thought of custom install. Good advice.
I usually notice and reject other included software such as Chrome while installing but I can't say I've caught it every time.
