I have Webroot Spy Sweeper to protect my laptop from viruses but it stopped working recently. When I opened it it would be blank and now it won’t even open. Also, I can’t click on anything in my start menu. It just makes a error noise. I googled what the problem could be and I saw that there is something called a TDSS.server thing on the non-plug and play computer section. It wasn’t there and I even downloaded the Microsoft Malicious Software Tool Removal but it found nothing. I searched “tdss” in my computer and found 6 things and they were all located in the Webroot section. I couldn’t delete them because it said I didn’t have permission. Are these things bad?
http://i26.tinypic.com/34eymfb.jpg
Chosen Answer:
Those 6 files in question are .ide files, they are the definition files that allow Spy Sweeper to detect the various malwares which provide the detection and disinfection of said malware.
These .ide files are what Spy Sweeper downloads during its daily updating (to detect new malware).
Totally normal. They are not bad.
Now, are you aware that Spy Sweeper is an anti-spyware only and NOT a comprehensive anti-virus? Unless you are actually running the new Webroot Anti-Virus with Spy Sweeper, then you have huge holes in your computers security.
The symptoms that your laptop is showing are not TDSS-like at all. TDSS is a rootkit, all files are hidden. TDSS will route all your internet traffic through a rogue DNS server which will usually cause a ton of pop-up advertising…mostly fake warnings about hundreds of “viruses” and the attempt to sell you a useless software to “fix” the problem. Doesn’t sound at all like what you are experiencing.
The Microsoft Malicious Software Tool Removal that you used detects only a few hundred out of the more than 1 million viruses and other malwares in existence. Like your Spy Sweeper, it is NOT a comprehensive security solution.
I suggest that you begin the clean-up by using a good (and free) online anti-virus scanner. BitDefender has an excellent one:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html
Since this is an online scanner, there is no need to remove any of your current protections before using this.
Good luck.
by: TempoOne
on: 1st August 10
Posted in 
Tags:
I would attempt to remove it first via the control panel -> programs and features -> then uninstall spy sweeper.
You can get to the control panel from the desktop by right clicking -> personalize -> then click “control panel home” near the top left.
Microsoft offers free security av program called essentials which could be worth a look: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-tdss-tdl3-alureon-rootkit-using-tdsskiller
if you cant access that site then tdss is blocking it. let us know and i will copy and paste info here
Those 6 files in question are .ide files, they are the definition files that allow Spy Sweeper to detect the various malwares which provide the detection and disinfection of said malware.
These .ide files are what Spy Sweeper downloads during its daily updating (to detect new malware).
Totally normal. They are not bad.
Now, are you aware that Spy Sweeper is an anti-spyware only and NOT a comprehensive anti-virus? Unless you are actually running the new Webroot Anti-Virus with Spy Sweeper, then you have huge holes in your computers security.
The symptoms that your laptop is showing are not TDSS-like at all. TDSS is a rootkit, all files are hidden. TDSS will route all your internet traffic through a rogue DNS server which will usually cause a ton of pop-up advertising…mostly fake warnings about hundreds of “viruses” and the attempt to sell you a useless software to “fix” the problem. Doesn’t sound at all like what you are experiencing.
The Microsoft Malicious Software Tool Removal that you used detects only a few hundred out of the more than 1 million viruses and other malwares in existence. Like your Spy Sweeper, it is NOT a comprehensive security solution.
I suggest that you begin the clean-up by using a good (and free) online anti-virus scanner. BitDefender has an excellent one:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scanner/online/free.html
Since this is an online scanner, there is no need to remove any of your current protections before using this.
Good luck.