What is Spy-shreder?

Question

Level 2

245 points

What is Spy-shreder?

When I went online, my G4 came up with something called "spy Shredder". It wants to clean up my computer, it says. A quick Goggle search came up with another site called "Spy-shredder Removal". It says that Syp Shredder is the real villian.

Does anybody have any info on this program? Does it affect Macs?

Thanks for any comments.

Message was edited by: georgex5

G4

Posted on Nov 15, 2007 7:46 AM

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Answer 1

elko

Level 2

278 points

Nov 15, 2007 10:14 PM in response to georgex5

You say you have it running on your computer? If so, you might be the first mac to have gotten it. Mostly it's annoying to PC users and it over exaggerates reports of threats and then tries to get you to buy it, and Norton says it's a medium risk threat. You need a virus remover to get rid of it. From a little bit of searching I did, it might have come from an online game? Does that sound familiar? Would love to know how you think you got it. And what a bummer!

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Answer 2

georgex5 Author

Level 2

245 points

Nov 16, 2007 7:53 AM in response to elko

I don't know if it is running or not. I tried not to interact with it. I haven't seen any sign of it since the first experience.

I got several downloads that downloaded very fast--I didn't even realize it was happening. One is marked setup,exe and the other is called install1642.exe. Somehow I managed to download each one twice. They appeared on the desktop and I moved both to the trash.

Both download are still on the Download window and I'd like to get rid of them but I'm not sure how. There's a box in this window marked "Clear" but I don't know if clicking it removes all the downloads or just the ones selected.

(This is one of my pet peeves with computers. They are so extreme about condensing all instructions in a single word if at all possible that the meaning gets lost. Use a few more words. Make it clear.)

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Answer 3

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Nov 16, 2007 9:56 AM in response to georgex5

Hi, George.

Both download are still on the Download window and I'd like to get rid of them but I'm not sure how. There's a box in this window marked "Clear" but I don't know if clicking it removes all the downloads or just the ones selected.

"Clear" deletes all the previous downloads from the list. To remove just one, click on its name to select it and hit the Delete key on your keyboard.

No file that has an .exe filename extension can run on a PowerPC Mac unless the Windows operating system is also installed using Virtual PC or other emulation software. Any .exe file that you download by mistake can just be trashed. Its continuing presence in your Downloads list window does not signify that it's still present on your computer; that window merely shows a record of the files you've downloaded in Safari in the past. What you've done with them since downloading them is not recorded there.

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Answer 4

Clyde43

Level 1

0 points

Dec 1, 2007 2:45 AM in response to eww

hi guys
l have the same problem with this spy shredder thing.I get a pop up box asking me ti load this program its link says http//scanner.spyshredder.com.
Is the computer still safe to use or has this taken over my machine not that savy with computers and i am very concerned about this thing hope you can help.
Clyde

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Answer 5

Dec 1, 2007 4:48 PM in response to Clyde43

Hi,

To make sure there is no Spy-shreder App. on your Mac's HD just type in your Finder: Spy-shreder
If you find anything with that name, delete it. Delete it also if it's in your downloads window.
Also, empty your browsers cache and history. Delete any cookies that are associated
with that name.
Check your browser's certificates too, incase anything is from it also. (I kind of doubt it, but it's worth a shot.)

Delete your Caches, Located in Home/Library/Caches. (Do this regularly too as it helps with a System speed boost)

So just remember; the key word here is: delete ( carefully)

L+

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