[ryanmichaelcosta]

Hello, I was on the internet the other day and a application error showed up. I clicked OK to close it and continued playing a game on YAHOO. Today when I started my computer and logged on it gave me "userinit.exe" and "0xc0000005" codes. Everything loaded fine and when I tried to go to Facebook or Myspace it did not work but did when I went to my banks website (did not enter any information) I then closed my internet and ran Avast boot scan. I repaired the files I could and deleted the rest. After doing so when I tried to log on the error still popped up but now nothing will show on my desktop. However, when I went into task manager and went to new task I was able to get to all my files and programs etc. I also noticed that the CPU usage was going crazy and shooting from 5 to 40 to 100%. I am completely lost and hope this is enough background and information for you to help me. Thank You in advance even if you can't.

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Hey ryanmichaelcosta,

Welcome to GeekstoGo! I'm Ltangelic and I'll be helping you fix your computer problem.

Take note that I'm still in training, and my posts will have to be checked by an expert. This may cause delays in between my responses, I ask for your patience. Please stick with me until we get your computer cleaned up or it will be a wasted effort on both sides.

Meanwhile, please go here and follow the instructions there and post the required logs. Thanks.

PS. If I've not been responding, and you wonder why, feel free to PM me and I'll give an explanation.

LT

[Ltangelic]

Hey ryanmichaelcosta,

Welcome to GeekstoGo! I'm Ltangelic and I'll be helping you fix your computer problem.

Take note that I'm still in training, and my posts will have to be checked by an expert. This may cause delays in between my responses, I ask for your patience. Please stick with me until we get your computer cleaned up or it will be a wasted effort on both sides.

Meanwhile, please go here and follow the instructions there and post the required logs. Thanks.

PS. If I've not been responding, and you wonder why, feel free to PM me and I'll give an explanation.

LT

[ryanmichaelcosta]

I thank you very much for your fast response. I decided since I was able to access my files I put them on my external drive and and formatted. Do you have any suggestions in regards of product to help prevent this again?

[Ltangelic]

Hey ryanmichaelcosta,

I hope everything is running fine now.

Below I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer against malware infections.

* Keep Windows updated by regularly checking their website at :
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer.

* To reduce re-infection for malware in the future, I strongly recommend installing these free programs:

SpywareBlaster protects against bad ActiveX
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
Have a look at this tutorial for IE-Spyad here

* SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts. Make sure you are only running one real-time anti-spyware protection program or there will be a conflict.

* You should also have a good firewall. Here are 3 free ones available for personal use:

• Sygate Personal Firewall
• Kerio Personal Firewall
• ZoneAlarm

*And to keep your system clean run these free malware scanners

• AdAware SE Personal
• Spybot Search & Destroy

weekly, and be aware of what emails you open and websites you visit.

* Also, you should install one of the following anti-viruses:

Avira Antivir (recommended)
Avast! Home Edition
AVG 8 Free

It is critical to have only ONE firewall, One anti virus and One anti-spyware resident to protect your system and to keep them updated.


Make Internet Explorer more secure

• Click Start > Run
• Type Inetcpl.cpl & click OK
• Click on the Security tab
• Click Reset all zones to default level
• Make sure the Internet Zone is selected & Click Custom level
• In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable".
• Next Click OK, then Apply button and then OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

* MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer, meaning it will be difficult to infect yourself in the future.

* Please consider using an alternate browser. Mozilla's Firefox browser is fantastic; it is much more
secure than Internet Explorer, immune to almost all known browser hijackers, and also has the best built-in pop up
blocker (as an added benefit!) that I have ever seen. If you are interested, Firefox may be downloaded from
Here

* Take a good look at the following suggestions for malware prevention by reading Tony Klein’s article 'How Did I Get Infected In The First Place'
Here

Thank you for your patience, and performing all of the procedures requested.

Safe surfing!

Edited by Ltangelic, 03 August 2008 - 09:09 AM.

[Rorschach112]

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

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