PCPrivacy Cleaner has taken over my computer - Help!

[Gaining Strength]

I went to an online game site - Iwin.com to play some free games.  No such thing as free.  Now I get "Iwin Game Alerts" that pop up in the bottom right corner, PCPrivacy Cleaner "warning" bubbles that pop up at the bottom + PCPrivacy Cleaner windows that interrupt my work AND Amazon window that pops up. 

What can I do?  I have to stop what I am doing every 1 to 3 minutes and deal with these new windows.  I have gone in and erased all the cookies.  Didn't help at all.

Anybody got any suggestions?

[sKePTiKal]

AH.

Go to the Start Menu> Control Panel> Add/Remove programs and see if "Iwin" something or other has been installed on your computer. Remove it. It will use up resources while you're online...

OR... you could possible tell PC Privacy cleaner to ignore (make an exception) of iwin game alerts... I don't know that software, so I don't know where to look, sorry.

[Certain Hope]

SS,  if you don't see Iwin listed amongst your programs, you can also use the "search" feature of your computer to locate where it might be stashed and then delete any aspects of it which are located.

Also, you can go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services and see what all is set to run at start-up, possibly disabling the rascal there.

Good luck!

Carolyn

[Gaining Strength]

Thank you both.  I will try all those things.

The problem with PCPrivacy Cleaner is that I don't own it.  It has taken over my computer as a way to force me to buy it.  Like I would want a program that forces itself on me - not that they don't understand the mechanism - they surely do.

[sKePTiKal]

Then go uninstall PC Privacy cleaner - if it's listed in Add/Remove programs!

[Gaining Strength]

I just got another pop-up for Amazon and at the very bottom was a tiny line about GameVance.  I clicked on it and found that when I used the Iwin it set up getting these pop up ads.  So I can undo it here.  Last time I do this "free" stuff - what a pain. Thanks for your help.

[Certain Hope]

SS,

You may want to Google the phrase "remove pc privacy cleaner" for your version of windows (xp, vista, whatever)....
because apparently this program can be quite stubborn.

Here's what I read:   The most common spyware removal tactic is to uninstall PCPrivacyCleaner by using the "Add/Remove Programs" utility. However, as there may still be hidden PCPrivacyCleaner files, it's possible that PCPrivacyCleaner will reappear after reboot.

There are many sites which give complete instructions for editing your registry, etc, and ensuring that all particles of this spyware are removed.

Carolyn

[Gaining Strength]

Wow, Carolyn - thank you so much!  What a pain - just to play an internet game.  I have definitely learned a lesson. 

I really appreciate you taking the time to Google this invader.  How bizarre is this - an N corporation that insinuates itself on unsuspecting victims and then make is very difficult for people to get rid of it - sounds a lot like N individuals to me.

[tayana]

SS,

You can download the specific removal for Privacy cleaner, but it sounds like you've picked up some spyware.  Spyware installs itself on your machine without your consent and either barrages you with pop up ads or collects data. 

You can download a program called Spybot, it's a free program, just google Spybot.  Make sure you download the updates.  You can run this and it will clean up the spyware.

Also download one called Adaware.  It's available from Lavasoft.  Remember to download the updates and run this one.  It usually catches what the other one misses.

Also delete your internet history, cookies and temp files from your machine.  There's a nifty program called Clean-up 4.0 that will do all of this for you.  It's available here:  http://www.tucows.com/preview/405276

Hope that helps.

[Gaining Strength]

I googled "spybot" over 90 minutes ago and the search has not completed yet.  My computer has been completely compromised.     So  frustrating.l  There is a 40 to 60 second delay between pressing keyboard keys and seeing letters appear on scren.  .  The twilight Zone!!!

[Certain Hope]

Here's the link for Spybot, S&S...    http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

and you are most welcome. Those invasive programs are despicable! Had some experience with them myself... but you'll get it all squared away.

Breathe deeply, go forth, and spyware begone!!!  : )

Love,
Carolyn

[Gaining Strength]

Thanks - I went to that site and something weird is happening with it.  The first time I click on download and get a "mirrors" page but the mirrors page gives me a list of spyware removal software other than Spybot, so I selected on - NOadware.  I scanned - 30 miutes later when it finished it says to register in order to remove the problems - but when registration form comes up it requires a credit card, which I don't have. So I just got back and tried it again.  When I select DOWNLOAD for Spybot I keep getting sent to Mirrors.  So frustrating. But worse.  The window for Spybot only stays open for 4 or 5 seconds and then disappears making it very hard to read.  But on a good note now the letters appear as fast as I type them - so that is better.

I'm going to keep trying until I get rid of the spyware.

[Certain Hope]

hmm... I don't know why that would be. Spybot is definitely a free software. When I follow the links from the main page, and select the first mirror site, it leads me to this link:  http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot_Search_and_Destroy/1043809773/1
from which it lets me download.

Maybe try that one?

[Gaining Strength]

I did try that one and it worked.  The first time I tried the second one.  Once I ran the SpyBot I found out that the NoAdware that I got off one of the mirrors (what is a mirror) was itself a spyware. 

I'm still getting ads popping up everytime I post or move from window to window even within Voicelessness but that is a very small problem compared to earlier.

Thanks so much for sticking this out with me.  Boy was this frustrating and it took up several hours.  Sure appreciate your help.  I actually could not have done it without you.  I could not search on Google so that link made it possible.  Thanks!!!!

[Gaining Strength]

The rest of my computer is working now but the ads that are popping up between windows in Voicelessness are soft porn.  So irritating.