[henry91948]

Hi,

Have the following screen from http://www.theguardservices.com/ . . . I want W32.Sinnaka.A@mm removed. Your help is appreciated. I am running Windows XP personal edition. Thanks! Henry

Attention! Your system is under control of remote computer with IP address 227.4.167.118. The remote computer has access to the following folders on your PC:
- \WINDOWS\System32
- \Program Files\Internet Explorer
- \My Documents
- Drive C:\ files
Click here to download official anti-spyware software


Your private info is collected by W32.Sinnaka.A@mm
Your IP address: 66.82.9.11

Your Country: US, United States

They know you're using: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; SV1)

Operation System: OS Windows

Risk status for futher investigation: VERY HIGH RISK

Time of investigation: Fri Apr 28 13:21:37 PDT 2006

[Advertisements]

Hi and welcome to GeeksToGo! My name is Sam and I will be helping you.
In order to help you we need to see what's running on your computer.

Click here to download HJTsetup.exe

• Save HJTsetup.exe to your desktop.
• Doubleclick on the HJTsetup.exe icon on your desktop.
• By default it will install to C:\Program Files\Hijack This.
• Continue to click Next in the setup dialogue boxes until you get to the Select Addition Tasks dialogue.
• Put a check by Create a desktop icon then click Next again.
• Continue to follow the rest of the prompts from there.
• At the final dialogue box click Finish and it will launch Hijack This.
• Click on the Do a system scan and save a logfile button. It will scan and the log should open in notepad.
• Click on "Edit > Select All" then click on "Edit > Copy" to copy the entire contents of the log.
• Come back here to this thread and Paste the log in your next reply.
• DO NOT have Hijack This fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless or even required.

[Buckeye_Sam]

Hi and welcome to GeeksToGo! My name is Sam and I will be helping you.
In order to help you we need to see what's running on your computer.

Click here to download HJTsetup.exe

• Save HJTsetup.exe to your desktop.
• Doubleclick on the HJTsetup.exe icon on your desktop.
• By default it will install to C:\Program Files\Hijack This.
• Continue to click Next in the setup dialogue boxes until you get to the Select Addition Tasks dialogue.
• Put a check by Create a desktop icon then click Next again.
• Continue to follow the rest of the prompts from there.
• At the final dialogue box click Finish and it will launch Hijack This.
• Click on the Do a system scan and save a logfile button. It will scan and the log should open in notepad.
• Click on "Edit > Select All" then click on "Edit > Copy" to copy the entire contents of the log.
• Come back here to this thread and Paste the log in your next reply.
• DO NOT have Hijack This fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless or even required.

[henry91948]

Done, here it is . . .

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 1:43:25 PM, on 4/28/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\slserv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\DIRECWAY\bin\dpcproxy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\atmclk.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dcomcfg.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\DIRECWAY\BIN\dpcstart.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\DIRECWAY\bin\dpcnav.exe
C:\Program Files\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:83
O2 - BHO: Nothing - {b0398eca-0bcd-4645-8261-5e9dc70248d0} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\hpE61B.tmp
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Dpcstart.lnk = C:\Program Files\DIRECWAY\BIN\dpcstart.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft....k/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn...pDownloader.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{EF6A5F3F-BC38-457E-BCCC-2690E696A02A}: Domain = direcway.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{EF6A5F3F-BC38-457E-BCCC-2690E696A02A}: NameServer = 66.82.4.8
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: DIRECWAY Webcast (DPC_SRV_WEBCAST) - Hughes Network Systems - C:\PROGRA~1\DIRECWAY\bin\dpcproxy.exe
O23 - Service: SmartLinkService (SLService) - Smart Link - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\slserv.exe

[Buckeye_Sam]

Download SmitfraudFix (by S!Ri) to your Desktop.
Extract all the files to your Destop. A folder named SmitfraudFix will be created on your Desktop.

______________________________


Please download the trial version of Ewido Anti-malware 3.5 from here:

• Install Ewido anti-malware.
• When installing, under Additional Options uncheck Install background guard and Install scan via context menu.
• When you run Ewido for the first time, you could get a warning "Database could not be found!". Click Ok.
• The program will prompt you to update. Click the Ok button.
• The program will now go to the main screen.

You will need to update Ewido to the latest definition files.

• On the left-hand side of the main screen click the Update Button.
• Click on Start.

The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
Once finished updating, close Ewido.

If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update ewido.
Ewido manual updates. Make sure to close Ewido before installing the update.

______________________________


Open the SmitfraudFix folder and double-click smitfraudfix.cmd
Select option #1 - Search by typing 1 and press Enter
This program will scan large amounts of files on your computer for known patterns so please be patient while it works. When it is done, the results of the scan will be displayed and it will create a log named rapport.txt in the root of your drive, eg: Local Disk C: or partition where your operating system is installed. Please post that log along with all others requested in your next reply.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT run any other options until you are asked to do so!

[henry91948]

Here it is.

SmitFraudFix v2.37

Scan done at 14:14:00.34, Fri 04/28/2006
Run from C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Desktop
OS: Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS\system


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS\Web


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\WINDOWS\system32

C:\WINDOWS\system32\atmclk.exe FOUND !
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dcomcfg.exe FOUND !
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hp????.tmp FOUND !
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ld????.tmp FOUND !
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ot.ico FOUND !
C:\WINDOWS\system32\simpole.tlb FOUND !
C:\WINDOWS\system32\stdole3.tlb FOUND !
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ts.ico FOUND !
C:\WINDOWS\system32\1024\ FOUND !

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Application Data


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Start Menu


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\DOCUME~1\HENRYV~1\FAVORI~1

C:\DOCUME~1\HENRYV~1\FAVORI~1\Antivirus Test Online.url FOUND !

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Desktop


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» C:\Program Files


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Corrupted keys


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Desktop Components

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\Components\0]
"Source"="About:Home"
"SubscribedURL"="About:Home"
"FriendlyName"="My Current Home Page"


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Sharedtaskscheduler
!!! Attention, follow keys are not inevitably infected !!!

SrchSTS.exe by S!Ri
Search SharedTaskScheduler's .dll

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\SharedTaskScheduler]
"{CA14EE13-ED15-C4A2-17FF-DA4D15C1BC5E}"="Twain"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{CA14EE13-ED15-C4A2-17FF-DA4D15C1BC5E}\InProcServer32]
@="C:\WINDOWS\system32\twain32.dll"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\CLSID\{CA14EE13-ED15-C4A2-17FF-DA4D15C1BC5E}\InProcServer32]
@="C:\WINDOWS\system32\twain32.dll"


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Scanning wininet.dll infection


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» End

[Buckeye_Sam]

Please print out or copy these instructions/tutorial to Notepad as the internet will not be (while in Safe Mode) available to you at certain points of the removal process. Make sure to work through all the Steps in the exact order in which they are listed below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before moving on with the fixes.

Reboot your computer in Safe Mode.

• If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.
• Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.
• Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
• Ensure that the Safe Mode option is selected.
• Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
• Login on your usual account.

______________________________

Open the SmitfraudFix Folder, then double-click smitfraudfix.cmd file to start the tool.
Select option #2 - Clean by typing 2 and press Enter.
Wait for the tool to complete and disk cleanup to finish.
You will be prompted : "Registry cleaning - Do you want to clean the registry ?" answer Yes by typing Y and hit Enter.
The tool will also check if wininet.dll is infected. If a clean version is found, you will be prompted to replace wininet.dll. Answer Yes to the question "Replace infected file ?" by typing Y and hit Enter.

A reboot may be needed to finish the cleaning process, if you computer does not restart automatically please do it yourself manually. Reboot in Safe Mode.

The tool will create a log named rapport.txt in the root of your drive, eg: Local Disk C: or partition where your operating system is installed. Please post that log along with all others requested in your next reply.
______________________________

Clean out your Temporary Internet files. Proceed like this:

• Quit Internet Explorer and quit any instances of Windows Explorer.
• Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet Options.
• On the General tab, click Delete Files under Temporary Internet Files.
• In the Delete Files dialog box, tick the Delete all offline content check box , and then click OK.
• On the General tab, click Delete Cookies under Temporary Internet Files, and then click OK.
• Click on the Programs tab then click the Reset Web Settings button. Click Apply then OK.
• Click OK.

Next Click Start, click Control Panel and then double-click Display. Click on the Desktop tab, then click the Customize Desktop button. Click on the Web tab. Under Web Pages you should see a checked entry called Security info or something similar. If it is there, select that entry and click the Delete button. Click Ok then Apply and Ok.

Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle Bin icon on your Desktop, and then clicking Empty Recycle Bin.
______________________________

Close ALL open Windows / Programs / Folders. Please start Ewido, and run a full scan.

• Click on Scanner
• Click on Settings
  • Under How to scan all boxes should be checked
  • Under Unwanted Software all boxes should be checked
  • Under What to scan select Scan every file
  • Click on Ok
• Click on Complete System Scan to start the scan process.
• Let the program scan the machine.

If Ewido finds anything, it will pop up a notification. When it asks if you want to clean the first file, put a checkmark in the lower left corner of the box that says Perform action on all infections and put a checkmark in the box next to Create encrypted backup, then choose clean and click Ok.

Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save Report.

• Click Save Report button
• Save the report to your Desktop

Close Ewido and Reboot in Normal Mode.
______________________________

Open the SmitfraudFix folder and double-click smitfraudfix.cmd
Select option #3 - Delete Trusted zone by typing 3 and press Enter
Answer Yes to the question "Restore Trusted Zone ?" by typing Y and hit Enter.

Note, if you use SpywareBlaster and/or IE-SPYAD, it will be necessary to re-install the protection both afford. For SpywareBlaster, run the program and re-protect all items. For IE-SPYAD, run the batch file and reinstall the protection.
______________________________

Please post:

• c:\rapport.txt
• Ewido log
• A new HijackThis log

Your may need several replies to post the requested logs, otherwise they might get cut off.

[henry91948]

Here is the rapport.txt . . .

SmitFraudFix v2.37

Scan done at 14:43:36.98, Fri 04/28/2006
Run from C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Desktop
OS: Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Killing process


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Deleting infected files

C:\WINDOWS\system32\atmclk.exe Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dcomcfg.exe Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hp????.tmp Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ld????.tmp Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ot.ico Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\simpole.tlb Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\stdole3.tlb Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ts.ico Deleted
C:\WINDOWS\system32\1024\ Deleted
C:\DOCUME~1\HENRYV~1\FAVORI~1\Antivirus Test Online.url Deleted

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Deleting Temp Files


»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Registry Cleaning

Registry Cleaning done.

»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» End

[henry91948]

---------------------------------------------------------
ewido anti-malware - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 1:14:32 AM, 4/29/2006
+ Report-Checksum: 910699E7

+ Scan result:

C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Cookies\henry van kessel@2o7[1].txt -> TrackingCookie.2o7 : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Cookies\henry van kessel@atdmt[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Atdmt : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Cookies\henry van kessel@doubleclick[1].txt -> TrackingCookie.Doubleclick : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Cookies\henry van kessel@mediaplex[1].txt -> TrackingCookie.Mediaplex : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Cookies\henry van [email protected][1].txt -> TrackingCookie.2o7 : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Henry Van Kessel\Cookies\henry van kessel@questionmarket[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Questionmarket : Cleaned with backup


::Report End

[henry91948]

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 1:32:53 AM, on 4/29/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\DIRECWAY\BIN\dpcstart.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido anti-malware\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\slserv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\DIRECWAY\bin\dpcproxy.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\DIRECWAY\bin\dpcnav.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:83
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Dpcstart.lnk = C:\Program Files\DIRECWAY\BIN\dpcstart.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft....k/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn...pDownloader.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{EF6A5F3F-BC38-457E-BCCC-2690E696A02A}: Domain = direcway.com
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{EF6A5F3F-BC38-457E-BCCC-2690E696A02A}: NameServer = 66.82.4.8
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: DIRECWAY Webcast (DPC_SRV_WEBCAST) - Hughes Network Systems - C:\PROGRA~1\DIRECWAY\bin\dpcproxy.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido anti-malware\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: SmartLinkService (SLService) - Smart Link - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\slserv.exe

[Buckeye_Sam]

Very good job!

You can fix this line with Hijackthis.

O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)


Otherwise your log is clean.
Any problems on your end?

[henry91948]

Hey Sam, you da man! My computer is again working beaitufilly.

I do not understand how to 'fix' that line . . . what do i do?

Thanks again Sam! I once owned a "Buckeye" tiling machine!

Thanks again, you have beena life saver!

Henry

[Buckeye_Sam]

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help.

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

• Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows ME or XP then you should disable and reenable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point left over from what we have just cleaned.
  
  You can find instructions on how to enable and reenable system restore here:
  
  Managing Windows Millenium System Restore
  
  or
  
  Windows XP System Restore Guide
  
  Renable system restore with instructions from tutorial above
  
  
• Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
  • From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  • Click once on the Security tab
  • Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  • Click once on the Custom Level button.
    
    • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
    • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
    • Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
    • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
    • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
    • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
    • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
    • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  • Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
• Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
  
  See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
  
  Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
  
  
• Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
  
  
• Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
  
  For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
  
  Understanding and Using Firewalls
  
  
• Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
  
  
• Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers
  
  
• Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. ou should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer
  
  
• Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
  
  
• Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.