Re: will these instructions damage my home computer???

From: Robin T Cox (nomail_at_nomail.com)
Date: 03/28/05 

Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 10:38:59 GMT

alpha wrote:
> 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.

These instructions look OK, and you can proceed without any anxiety. But
just to be quite sure, can you please let us know the address of the
forum where you obtained these instructions?