Stupid-ass spyware assault
 

Dammit all.
I just got MAULED by an invincible army of spyware. I've run Ad-aware and my copy of Webroot's SpySweeper, and I'm installing Spybot S&D right now. They've found lots of things, but they keep coming back. I have all sorts of shitty new folders in my Program Files that refuse to be deleted; how effective will S&D be with this (this is the first time I've run it)?

Are there other options I can try if not everything gets eliminated? Would a Windows reinstall do the trick? I just reformatted everything the other day so this SUCKS.
Thanks for any help.

reformat... thats the only way to really get rid of it all. I've found spyware software never really gets rid of it all. Reformating is a pain but if you want a clean system, you need to redo it. Good advince for later is download less porn and pirate less software. ;)

You're either surfing the web with Internet Explorer or deliberately downloading all this malware from certain sites. Seriously, if you're the only one using that computer, I can't think of any other reason for your spyware problem.

With the right browser and some common sense, keeping a clean system isn't really that hard, you know.

I am sensible when it comes to internet security. I don't download porn, and very rarely software, and even then it's usually from the FTPs here. I haven't used IE in ages.

At any rate, it appears as though S&D did a rather thorough job...

You might want to try installing Javacool Software's SpywareBlaster.

I found it really helpful in keeping my browser clean from various spyware and other things.

Isn't it possible to boot into safe mode and run your spyware killers? If so I would recommend doing so to ensure that you can get rid of the shit on your computer.

I agree. Finding malware on my computer is the worst feeling, because I know it means I'm going to have to format soon.

Indeed. From my experience, if it becomes more desperate, also try the Microsoft offering. Although frankly, Spysweeper has never failed me, I'm surprised it didn't manage to finish the job single handidly.

In my experience, whenever I get spyware it is deliberate [but necessary], and I won't go too much into that.

But when I have spyware, I know there's nothing I can do to fight it other than formatting. It's the best option I have.

Not really, you just have to know what the fuck you're doing. Reformatting is just the easy way out.