Hello again indep,
Further to my last post.
In terms of prevention of infection.
Here are some things I think are worth having a look at:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check your Java; quite often people find there edition is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malicious sites can use to infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update:
- Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JDK) Update and save it to your desktop or the folder you usually download to.
- Scroll down to where it says "The Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications".
- Click the "Download" button to the right.
- Read the License Agreement and then check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement". The page will refresh.
- Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation and save the file to your desktop or Download folder.
- Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
- Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel, double-click on Add/Remove Programs and remove all older versions of Java.
- Check (highlight) any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
- Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
- Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
- Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
- Then from your desktop or Download folder double-click on the Java exe to install the newest version.
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Check your
Adobe Acrobat Reader; it may be out of date. Older versions are vunerable to attack.
Please go to the link below to update.
http://www.adobe.com.../readstep2.html---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be sure and give the Temp folders a cleaning out now and then. This helps with security and your computer will run more efficiently. I clean mine once a week. For ease of use, you might consider one of the following free programs:
Note for Ccleaner users: Unless you are an expert ensure that the
Advanced Option section is not checked . By default this is the case but look, just to make sure. Also it is generally not necessary to run the registry clean option (use of registry cleaners is a notorious source of computer problems) but if you do, ensure you click "yes" to the back up option, before cleaning.
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A great way to check that your Microsoft and Java have the latest updates is to go to Software Inspector at Secunia.
I do this weekly. Not only do they tell you which programs need updating but they give you the link to follow.
To bolster your security go to
Secunia.com to ensure essential programs are up to date.
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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.
* Consider using an alternate browser. Mozilla's Firefox browser is excellant; 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 (Note: this as an added benefit!) that I have seen. Firefox is my default browser but I retain Internet Explorer as well so that I can access the very few sites that require it.
Firefox may be downloaded from
Here-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To help protect your computer in the future here are some free programs you can look at:
- SUPERAntiSpyware Free for Home Users to detect and remove spyware.
- IESpy-Ad to block access to malicious websites so you cannot be redirected to them from an infected site or email.
You should also have a good firewall. Here is a free one available for personal use:
and a good antivirus (these are also free for personal use):
It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated.
If your Microsoft Update is not working automatically. Keep your operating system up to date by visiting
monthly. And to keep your system clean run these free malware scanners
weekly, and be aware of what emails you open and websites you visit.
To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read this article by Tony Klein:
So how did I get infected in the first place?Have a safe and happy computing day!
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