[hallc224]

I have a HP Pavillion running with Windows XP and with all the talk about spyware and malware, I want to learn how to check my computer regularly to make sure nothing is wrong.

My computer runs a little slow at start up but then picks back up after 10 minutes or so.

I have McAfee security suite that I downloaded from my ISP and I bought a copy of Spyware Bot v9.4.9.

I bought the Spyware Bot to clean up a bad Activex that I downloaded and I believe it worked. I have just read an awful lot of posts in here about all sorts of malware that can still be on your computer.

Just looking for a little help.

Thanks

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Welcome to Geeks to Go.

These are the programs that we recommend:

The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to help you understand how you got infected and how to keep from getting infected again.

• Spybot Search & Destroy - Uber powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
  
• AdAware - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
  
• SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep nasties from installing on your system.
  
• SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield" to protect your computer from getting malware in the first place.
  
• IE-SpyAd - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
  
• CleanUP! - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
  
• Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
  
• Google Toolbar - Free google toolbar that allows you to use the powerful Google search engine from the bar, but also blocks pop up windows.
  
• Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)

To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein


The list there leaves off ZoneAlarm. It is very nice free firewall. You can download it here: Zone Alarm.


If you suspect that you are infected with malware then follow these steps:

Please go to the Malware forum and follow the instructions at the top....Especially the Instructions to do before posting in the malware fourm.

That will give you several steps that will help you clean up 70 percent of all problems by yourself. If at the end of the process you are still having difficulty--and you may not be-- then post a hijackthis log in THAT forum.

If you are still having problems after getting a clean bill of health from the malware expert, please return to this thread.

Also if you want to learn how to fight malware with us. Check out This Thread.

Good luck .

Edit: Also you should know that Spyware Bot is on the rogue anti-spyware list here: http://www.spywarewa...nti-spyware.htm.

Edited by Titan8990, 30 June 2007 - 01:36 PM.

[Titan8990]

Welcome to Geeks to Go.

These are the programs that we recommend:

The following is a list of tools and utilities that I like to suggest to people. This list is full of great tools and utilities to help you understand how you got infected and how to keep from getting infected again.

• Spybot Search & Destroy - Uber powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.
  
• AdAware - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.
  
• SpywareBlaster - Great prevention tool to keep nasties from installing on your system.
  
• SpywareGuard - Works as a Spyware "Shield" to protect your computer from getting malware in the first place.
  
• IE-SpyAd - puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all.
  
• CleanUP! - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
  
• Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
  
• Google Toolbar - Free google toolbar that allows you to use the powerful Google search engine from the bar, but also blocks pop up windows.
  
• Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)

To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein


The list there leaves off ZoneAlarm. It is very nice free firewall. You can download it here: Zone Alarm.


If you suspect that you are infected with malware then follow these steps:

Please go to the Malware forum and follow the instructions at the top....Especially the Instructions to do before posting in the malware fourm.

That will give you several steps that will help you clean up 70 percent of all problems by yourself. If at the end of the process you are still having difficulty--and you may not be-- then post a hijackthis log in THAT forum.

If you are still having problems after getting a clean bill of health from the malware expert, please return to this thread.

Also if you want to learn how to fight malware with us. Check out This Thread.

Good luck .

Edit: Also you should know that Spyware Bot is on the rogue anti-spyware list here: http://www.spywarewa...nti-spyware.htm.

Edited by Titan8990, 30 June 2007 - 01:36 PM.

[1101doc]

All the tools mentioned above are excellent and should be employed by everyone.
To see how I have layered my defenses to prevent infection consult my Vox: http://doc1101.vox.com/ Scroll down the page to "Security." I provide web addresses of useful tools and informational sites. The "links" are not live. Copy and paste the URLs to your browser address bar to view the referenced page.