*IMPORTANT INTERNET(and vbulliten) NOTICE*

[SintonFan]

A new and vicious spyware(malware or whatever, I call this one extortionware) called SpyAxe 3.0 automatically installs itself on unsuspecting computers. This computer was infected since Saturday night from download.com of all places. I finally fixed the problem tonight. It seems this extortionware automatically installs itself without any knowledge by the user. If you have a "red x" on your toolbar that says Windows has found spyware on your computer don't click on it or a "yellow yield" sign that might say something similiar. Absolutely no legit spyware scanners or virus programs will detect it.
To remove it do this:
1) Save Uninstallers.zip from http://www.spyaxe.com/uninstall/uninstallers.zip to your desktop or HDD.
2) Extract 2 files "illegal_adv_uninstall1.exe" and "illegal_adv_uninstall2.exe" to your desktop or your HDD using WinZip.
3) Execute both of them one by one by double-clicking with your mouse.
4) Reboot your PC
5) Your PC is now clean from the infections.
6) Go to 'add/remove programs' under control panel to uninstall the SpyAxe program if still there
I got this fix from the Vbulliten support forum.:cool:
Since this Desktop highjacker and extortionware downloads to your computer randomly I ask that a mod keep this toward the top for a few days please.

[Paratrooper]

Sinton Fan before you go messing with your computer use Lavasoft or one of the spyware blockers. They do have phony emails sent around or you can find it on forums that will get you to thinking if you find this certain item you need to remove it.

I will give you an example. They had one going around that said if you found a teddy bear on this certain file then you need to remove it immediately. It gave you the path to do so and it looks legit. However, everyone had this little teddy bear on this one certain file because it was a java script. It's the ultimate in a "gotcha" type thing. They didn't stick anything on your computer, you removed it yourself causing your computer to mess up.

I WOULD NOT DO THIS IF I WERE YOU.....use caution when reading something like this........but hey it's your computer. You can either use a spyware blocker or your virus protection to get rid of unwanted items on your computer.

[SintonFan]

lol
Thanks for the warning Paratrooper.
While I might not be an "Uber-Geek" I do have more than your average experience for a typical Window's user. I have worked for Earthlink as an internet help desk specialist before. I wouldn't have posted this thread without knowledge of prior concerns.:D
This one is pretty darn bad and like I said nothing(spyware or antivirus) picks up this insidious extortionware. It seems spyaxe has just recently become a problem.:)

[Paratrooper]

I am certainly not trying to disrespect you or your abilities. I will just say I hope this is verified, a designer virus is what is it called when people have you remove "good" files off of your computer. I have seen it before, so I would just be cautious and have verfication through microsoft or another affliate before I did it. Just trying to look out for you.......sorry if I offended you though.:) :cool:

[SintonFan]

Cool!
No offense taken.:)
I checked it out and didn't post anything that would remove components from our software. It does seem firefox is pretty vunerable to this and since I know lots of folks here use firefox... lol hence my post.
Thanks Paratrooper, I didn't take it wrong and I do appreciate you looking out for me.:) Sweet.;)

[99IHSMustang]

What's spyware?..... lol j/k.