will these instructions damage my home computer???

From: alpha (newsgroupaddress_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 03/28/05

  • Next message: B. Nice: "Re: GoToMyPC secure?" 
    Date: 27 Mar 2005 20:13:24 -0800

    Hello, i have just been given the following instructions to help
    iradicate spyware...but i am unsure if these instructions are genuine
    or not. I have of course heard of the program ad-aware but am still
    pretty suss. I am worried they are could be malicious and will damage
    my pc. If there is anyone on this group who knows a little about
    spyware i would realy apreciate advice on this before i follow the
    instructions.

    PS These instructions have come from the *HIJACKTHIS* software forum
    after i downloaded and ran their program.....Please see below and
    advise:.....Many thanks in advance.......A

    Please do this first:

    Download and run CWShredder. Use the FIX-button.

    Download the latest version of Ad-Aware:
    http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/

    After installing AAW, and before running the program.
    Please be sure to update the reference file following the instructions
    here:
    http://www.lavahelp.net/howto/updref/

    Reconfigure Ad-Aware for Full Scan:

    Launch the program, and click on the Gear at the top of the start
    screen.

    Click the "Scanning" button.
    Under Drives, Folders and Files, select "Scan within Archives".
    Click "Click here to select Drives + folders" and select your
    installed hard drives.

    Under Memory & Registry, select all options.
    Click the "Advanced" button.
    Under "Log-file detail level", select all options.
    Click the "Tweaks" button.

    Under "Scanning Engine", select the following:
    "Unload recognized processes during scanning."
    Under "Cleaning Engine", select the following:
    "Let Windows remove files in use after reboot."
    Click on 'Proceed' to save these Preferences.

    Run the Ad-Aware scan and allow it to remove everything it finds and
    then REBOOT to allow it to finish.
    If you haven't done so Please Scan with Spybot Search and Destroy:

    1. Downloaded and Install Spybot S&D, accepting the Default Settings

    2. In the Menu Bar at the top of the Spybot window you will see
    'Mode'. Make certain that 'default mode' has a check mark beside it.

    3. Close ALL windows except Spybot S&D

    4. Click the button to ‘Search for Updates' and download and install
    the Updates.

    5. Next click the button ‘Check for Problems'

    6. When Spybot is complete, it will be showing ‘RED' (RED) entries
    ‘BLACK' entries and ‘GREEN' (GREEN) entries in the window

    7. Make certain there is a check mark beside all of the RED (RED)
    entries ONLY.

    8. Choose ‘Fix Selected Problems' and allow Spybot to fix the RED
    (RED) entries.

    9. REBOOT to complete the scan.
    Reboot, make a new HijackThis log and post it here.

  • Next message: B. Nice: "Re: GoToMyPC secure?"