Well I run Spybot in advanced mode. What's this about the hosts file?

I would update it daily, but it hasn't found any updates in a while. Maybe I have an old version.

Update to version 1.2 for Spybot if necessary.

The Hosts file resides in settings, but unless you enable Advanced mode, I think it might be Hell's own job to find it. <G>

I found it like I found all the other computer stuff I "know" - by accident.
<G>

Also, the latest version of Adaware is 6.00, build 6.181. Older versions will not update as I recall.

Spybot is sometimes slow to download updates if busy. Try changing the mirror to a U.S. site if you have difficulties. Conversly, U.S. users should try to use UniDo to take advantage of the time differential. ;-)

I can't understand how adaware works, it keeps saying my core files are out of date and gives me a url to download new ones. So I do that and install them.

Then I use the auto-update feature and it says there are updates available, I download the updates and then it says my core files are out of date again :(

Every time I use auto-update it downgrades adaware again :(

Hence I now only use spybot.

I had the free one from their website, there is a message on their download site saying the core files need to be updated too though.

Anyway I think spybot is a bit better, seems to detect more stuff :)

Mike

Aye, it happened to me some yonks ago when we used to employ my entirely loveable nephew as a baby squasher.

One morning after a night before, I discovered the wonderfully titled self-replicating "Achtung! Sex Party" dialler all over the computer, including a robust presence on the desktop, potentially linking to a mega-premium dial-up number, had we not been on cable modem.

As I recall, he did say his goodnights and leave promptly that evening...

I graduated to Chameleon porn some time ago, and I've never looked back. It's the real McCoy.

Speaking of Mc's, have you seen the picture series of Gauge Chameleon on a number of clan tartans? RAR!

RE: robust presence on the desktop

I've seen one like that - very graphic name and couldn't be deleted or even renamed despite using many tools / techniques (inc booting to DOS from a floppy and dtrying to delete it manually)

in the end we used the mouse to 'throw' it off the bottom of the screen and so not have it visible - it's gone now though, new hard-drive and fresh OS install.