[seres]

I'm new to the Internet. Purchased a Laptop 2 months ago, and from day 1 installed Zone Alarm Pro 5 and McAfee Virus Shield 9. Now connected via DSL. Originally McAfee updated, but now get the message "page unavailable" (even when firewall is off). My system appears normal, runs fast, with no excessive pop-ups.

After finding this site, I see so many products. Should I download HijackThis, and other programs? Maybe an offsite scan and then start fresh?

I'd appreciate some comments, maybe some suggestions.

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Hello!

Here's some tips for future to prevent spyware;

Detect and Remove Programs:

• How to use Ad-Aware to remove Spyware <= If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Ad-Aware.
• How to use Spybot to remove Spyware <= If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Spybot. Similar to Ad-Aware, I strongly recommend both to catch most spyware.

Prevention Programs:

• Spywareblaster <= SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from being installed. (My favourite)
• Spywareguard <= SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts.
• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
• Google Toolbar <= Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.

Other necessary Programs:

• AntiVirus Program <= An AntiVirus program is a must! Whether it is a free version like AVG or Anti-Vir, or a shareware version like Norton or Kaspersky, this is a must have.
• Firewall <= A firewall is definatley a must have. Two good free versions are Sygate and ZoneLabs.
• More Secure Browser <= Internet Explorer is not the most secure and best browser. There are safer and better alternatives available. I recommend Firefox.

And also see TonyKlein's good advice;
So how did I get infected in the first place? (My favourite)

And of course.. Make sure to keep Windows updated as well.

[Rawe]

Hello!

Here's some tips for future to prevent spyware;

Detect and Remove Programs:

• How to use Ad-Aware to remove Spyware <= If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Ad-Aware.
• How to use Spybot to remove Spyware <= If you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to download, install and then use Spybot. Similar to Ad-Aware, I strongly recommend both to catch most spyware.

Prevention Programs:

• Spywareblaster <= SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from being installed. (My favourite)
• Spywareguard <= SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts.
• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
• Google Toolbar <= Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.

Other necessary Programs:

• AntiVirus Program <= An AntiVirus program is a must! Whether it is a free version like AVG or Anti-Vir, or a shareware version like Norton or Kaspersky, this is a must have.
• Firewall <= A firewall is definatley a must have. Two good free versions are Sygate and ZoneLabs.
• More Secure Browser <= Internet Explorer is not the most secure and best browser. There are safer and better alternatives available. I recommend Firefox.

And also see TonyKlein's good advice;
So how did I get infected in the first place? (My favourite)

And of course.. Make sure to keep Windows updated as well.

[seres]

(problem fixed, post deleted)

Edited by seres, 26 August 2005 - 08:58 PM.