If you are running either Outlook 2000 or Outlook 2003 and notice a slow keyboard response, the problem may be the Windows update for Internet Explorer KB931768. Remove the patch and the problem will often be resolved.
If not, other users have mentioned these fixes:
Remove Spybot
Change from HTML to plain-text format
Change the Outlook Tools/Options/Security/Security Zones to Internet
In addition, you may want to disable the Windows Messenger Service, which sounds similar although it serves a different function. Still, it's another source of possible spyware and viruses so you might as well disable it.
This is annoying: Sometimes an installation goes haywire and whenever you reboot your computer or run a particular application you get the Microsoft Office installation message asking you to insert a CD. Even after running Cleanup and clearing out the Windows cache you still get the install message.
One way to clean this up is the Installation Cleanup Utility. You can find it here:
This details how I was able to remove one of my most difficult spyware popup infections to date: ad.yieldmanager.com.
This insidious spyware was extremely persistent, avoiding cleaning by my normal set of favorite cleaners: Kaspersky, AVG Antivirus, AVG Antispyware, Spybot, Ad-Aware, Panda Online, HijackThis, l2mfix, VundoFix, Easy Cleaner, CleanUp!, and ewido.net.
At first it was even difficult to identify the type of spyware because the popups didn't leave many clues other than an occasional "New Offer" popup window. However, after letting the PC system "ferment" a little to let the spyware infestation spread, the ad.yieldmanager.com signature appeared in one of the windows.
The best removal sequence I found came mostly from this site: http://www.pchell.com/support/smitfraud.shtml where I followed the steps for removing SmitFraud. I took a guess on this because I saw an earlier SpySheriff infection on the system and I was thinking that perhaps it was not entirely removed.
The set of cleaners I ran from Safe Mode in this order were:
SmitRem by NoahdFear - http://noahdfear.geekstogo.com/
Of the set of cleaners I ran, I think RogueRemover and Aproposfix were the critical programs for this particular spyware infection.
After running all these cleaners the ad.yieldmanager.com spyware was removed completely.
Here are a couple products you might want to consider for keeping your PC clean from further ad.yieldmanager infections.
1) First, the best anti-virus program on the market -- in my view -- is Kaspersky. It's not as well known as some of the more heavily marketed antivirus programs like Norton and McAfee.
However, I like it because it catches a lot more viruses than Norton and McAfee and it is also a much smaller program. Norton is especially taxing on the system and there is a VERY noticeable slowdown of your PC when you have Norton installed.
The cheapest prices I've seen for Kaspersky Antivirus or Kaspersky Internet Security is on eBay. Make sure the seller has a lot of positive feedback when you make your purchase and you'll save some bucks.
Here's a good site with a list of 46 free utilities. I generally agree with the list which has everything from free antivirus software to free screen capture utilities. Lots of good stuff!
Once upon a time, Norton Anti-virus reigned supreme in the anti-virus world. Fast, easy to install, small footprint. Unfortunately, that was in the year 2000.
Since then Norton has become the exact opposite of all that. Now it's slow, often difficult to install -- and especially uninstall -- without side effects, and the program has far surpassed the level of bloatware.
To top it all off, Norton appears to miss a LOT of viruses and is very slow to update. Poor Peter Norton's legacy has befallen the bureacracy of large scale companies.
Personally, I am recommending a couple of other alternatives to Norton.
For free antivirus software the last holdout seems to be avast. http://www.avast.com. It catches a reasonable amount of viruses, updates fairly often, has a relatively small footprint, and the price is right.
For paid antivirus I feel Kaspersky is now king of the hill. It consistently ranks high in the best antivirus detection as well as update speed tests.
Now if you currently have Norton (or McAfee for that matter) I would continue to use it as long as you're happy with the results. However, if you find that your computer is running particulary slow when you check your Outlook email or if you are still getting a fair share of viruses on your system, then consider switching over to Kaspersky http://www.kaspersky.com once your current subscription expires.
