I have been using LiveUpdate to update my virus definitions for years now. Usually the process runs silently in the background and keeps me up to date on protection against the latest viruses.
The other day the program interrupted me to state that it had changed its procedures and would be implementing those changes with the current update. It did give me an opportunity to keep doing things the old way, but indicated I would have had to exit, start over and perform the update manually. Naturally, since I was in the middle of something I elected to have it complete the task automatically.
To my dismay, this trusted program has added spyware to my computer! It's hard to believe after so many years with no problems. It has added a program that runs an "unknown process" in the background and another process called "aupdate." It keeps trying to dial up the internet, but my firewall blocks it. Every 10 minutes or so, it changes its name "unknown process xxxxxxxx" and I keep blocking it. It is using up most of my ram, so work is considerably slowed down, and after three or four blocks, it reboots my computer. My current version of AdAware won't detect it. AdAware did detect the Alexis robot that the program added, and I was able to remove it immediately.
I did a search on the Internet and found that I am not alone - lots of other people have the same problem. When I stop mumbling under my breath, I guess I will try to get rid of it, which may involve editing the Windows Registry. I found a newer version of AdAware I will try first, then Spybot if that doesn't get it. As a last resort, I will have to remove it manually.
So if anybody uses LiveUpdate, whatever you do, don't let them change up on you. An "unknown process" is out to get you.
Also, for anyone still using dialup, do not set your dial up networking to connect automatically. Having to click the box to connect is a small price to pay; otherwise you might look up to find you are already on the Internet and your info is being passed on to a third party.
The other day the program interrupted me to state that it had changed its procedures and would be implementing those changes with the current update. It did give me an opportunity to keep doing things the old way, but indicated I would have had to exit, start over and perform the update manually. Naturally, since I was in the middle of something I elected to have it complete the task automatically.
To my dismay, this trusted program has added spyware to my computer! It's hard to believe after so many years with no problems. It has added a program that runs an "unknown process" in the background and another process called "aupdate." It keeps trying to dial up the internet, but my firewall blocks it. Every 10 minutes or so, it changes its name "unknown process xxxxxxxx" and I keep blocking it. It is using up most of my ram, so work is considerably slowed down, and after three or four blocks, it reboots my computer. My current version of AdAware won't detect it. AdAware did detect the Alexis robot that the program added, and I was able to remove it immediately.
I did a search on the Internet and found that I am not alone - lots of other people have the same problem. When I stop mumbling under my breath, I guess I will try to get rid of it, which may involve editing the Windows Registry. I found a newer version of AdAware I will try first, then Spybot if that doesn't get it. As a last resort, I will have to remove it manually.
So if anybody uses LiveUpdate, whatever you do, don't let them change up on you. An "unknown process" is out to get you.
Also, for anyone still using dialup, do not set your dial up networking to connect automatically. Having to click the box to connect is a small price to pay; otherwise you might look up to find you are already on the Internet and your info is being passed on to a third party.