[Flyer2008]

Hi folks

Sorry if I'm stumbling around in the wrong area, I've also posted this issue in the Introduction post.

I'm really green when it comes to tackling all the spy/malware issues, apart from running scans, so any help would be so appreciated.

My son recently click on a banner or something at site about the game Dawn of War. Ever since, any searches with Google are redirected to other sites. This occurs with either IE or Firefox. Searching with other engines like Live or Yahoo are ok, just Google is the issue.

I've run Ad-Aware, Spyware Blaster, and I've got McAfee - none of them picked up or prevented the threat. I've run Malwarebytes' Anti Maleware, and it detected heaps of issues. After removing them and restarting the PC it seemed to have fixed the issue. Today when I started the PC, the issue has come back. I've also run CCleaner and Ad-Aware again and then the issue seemed fixed again.

I've got the feeling this virus or whatever it is will come back again when I reboot.

Can anyone help me through another way of kicking this thing off my PC once and for all?

Thanks muchly - appreciate the help

Cheers

PS - I'm running XP Pro Service Pack 3

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Flyer2008, Welcome to Geeks-To-Go. My name is GravityGripp and I'll be assisting you with your
issues.

First, when you post logs here, post them directly into the reply. Do not attach them, unless told to do so. Also, do not alter the font, color, or size of these logs. This will help me, help you.

Also, if I have not responded to you in a time period longer than 4 days, please feel free to PM me.

Thanks and I look forward to working with you.

The first thing that I need for you to do is visit this post and follow the directions there before we can proceed. You Must Read This Before Posting

When you've obtained a HiJackThis log, please post it in a reply to this post.

[Gravity Gripp]

Flyer2008, Welcome to Geeks-To-Go. My name is GravityGripp and I'll be assisting you with your
issues.

First, when you post logs here, post them directly into the reply. Do not attach them, unless told to do so. Also, do not alter the font, color, or size of these logs. This will help me, help you.

Also, if I have not responded to you in a time period longer than 4 days, please feel free to PM me.

Thanks and I look forward to working with you.

The first thing that I need for you to do is visit this post and follow the directions there before we can proceed. You Must Read This Before Posting

When you've obtained a HiJackThis log, please post it in a reply to this post.

[Flyer2008]

Hey GravityGripp

Thanks for replying. As an update, I turned off System Restore and re-ran Malwarebytes' Anti Malware, plus Ad-Aware and SpyBot. I've restarted several times and even changed the clock to check to see if it was an issue when a new day started. Everything now seems to be in order i.e. I'm no longer getting any Google redirects and after all the scans killed the various infections I'm no longer getting any more.

Do you think the issue is now resolved or should I still post a Hijack This log? Also, should I now turn system restore back on? (I've followed all the other steps recommended and all appears good at this stage)

I've also run a registry cleaner too i.e. registry mechanic. My XP Pro also has all the patches in place now. I hope I'm over the worst and the lesson has been learned?

Cheers

Edited by Flyer2008, 09 December 2008 - 01:28 PM.

[Gravity Gripp]

I think it would be wise for you to still post a log and let me check it out. Also, I never condone the use of registry cleaners and they often do more harm than good.

[Flyer2008]

Hi Gravity Grapp

Maybe it's not a registry cleaner, but just a mechanic i.e. servicing. I used the Registey Mechanic application - I hope I'm not making things worse. Anyway, below is the Hijack This report I just ran (10 Dec 08)

Thanks again

PS - I have no idea what any of the info below is - good luck ;-)

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 7:30:50 PM, on 10/12/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16735)
Boot mode: Normal

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\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Application Accelerator\iaantmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe
c:\program files\common files\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee\MSK\MskSrver.exe
C:\Program Files\Dantz\Retrospect\retrorun.exe
C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SAService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\StkASv2K.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Content Filter\SafeEyes.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~3\mum.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\DataViz\DvzIncMsgr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Mozilla Thunderbird\thunderbird.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft....k/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft....k/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft....k/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft....k/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/money
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {089FD14D-132B-48FC-8861-0048AE113215} - C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SiteAdv.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee Phishing Filter - {377C180E-6F0E-4D4C-980F-F45BD3D40CF4} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\msk\mcapbho.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: scriptproxy - {7DB2D5A0-7241-4E79-B68D-6309F01C5231} - C:\Program Files\McAfee\VirusScan\scriptsn.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\3.1.807.1746\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee SiteAdvisor - {0BF43445-2F28-4351-9252-17FE6E806AA0} - C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SiteAdv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Webshots Toolbar - {C17590D2-ECB4-4b15-8820-F58798DCC118} - C:\Program Files\Webshots\WSToolbar4IE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Safe &Eyes Toolbar - {430DDB4F-38CC-4E91-AF33-4157334EC937} - C:\Program Files\Internet Content Filter\setoolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ICF] "C:\Program Files\Internet Content Filter\SafeEyes.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [InternodeUsage] C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~3\mum.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Nokia.PCSync] C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\PcSync2.exe /NoDialog (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe" -t (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: DataViz Inc Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\DataViz\DvzIncMsgr.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Webshots Photo Search - res://C:\Program Files\Webshots\WSToolbar4IE.dll/MENUSEARCH.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_03\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.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
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: icf.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: icf.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: icf.dll
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://a1540.g.akama...ex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {15A02B79-60BB-42B8-814E-BF8364106B9E} (Pco3 Window (Commsec) Control) - http://images.commse...o3X_Commsec.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {DD3641E5-A9CF-11D1-9AA1-444553540000} (Surround Video V3.0 Control Object) - http://www.belairres...abs/svideo3.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{3C9AFBC4-B260-4618-90D9-36FDBEEE72F1}: NameServer = 192.231.203.132,192.231.203.3
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{3C9AFBC4-B260-4618-90D9-36FDBEEE72F1}: NameServer = 192.231.203.132,192.231.203.3
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\..\{3C9AFBC4-B260-4618-90D9-36FDBEEE72F1}: NameServer = 192.231.203.132,192.231.203.3
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: dlbt_device - Dell - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dlbtcoms.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: IAA Event Monitor (IAANTMon) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Application Accelerator\iaantmon.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Macromedia Licensing Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macromedia Shared\Service\Macromedia Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Services (mcmscsvc) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Network Agent (McNASvc) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\program files\common files\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Scanner (McODS) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcods.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Proxy Service (McProxy) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Real-time Scanner (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SystemGuards (McSysmon) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe
O23 - Service: MSCSPTISRV - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\MSCSPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SpamKiller Service (MSK80Service) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MSK\MskSrver.exe
O23 - Service: MD Simple Burner Service (NetMDSB) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Sony\MD Simple Burner\NetMDSB.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: PACSPTISVR - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\PACSPTISVR.exe
O23 - Service: Retrospect Launcher (RetroLauncher) - Dantz Development Corporation - C:\Program Files\Dantz\Retrospect\retrorun.exe
O23 - Service: Retrospect Helper - Dantz Development Corporation - C:\Program Files\Dantz\Retrospect\rthlpsvc.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: SiteAdvisor Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\SiteAdvisor\6253\SAService.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: Syntek STK1150 Service (StkASSrv) - Syntek America Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\StkASv2K.exe

--
End of file - 11853 bytes

[Gravity Gripp]

Things look good, let's go ahead and get a Kaspersky scan and a Malwarebytes scan just to make sure.


STEP ONE
Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from Here or Here

Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.

• Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
• Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Quick Scan", then click Scan.
• The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
• Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
• When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart.(See Extra Note)
• The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
• Copy&Paste the entire report in your next reply.

Extra Note:
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process,if asked to restart the computer,please do so immediately.


STEP TWO
Please do an online scan with Kaspersky WebScanner

Kaspersky online scanner uses JAVA tecnology to perform the scan. If you do not have the latest JAVA version, follow the instrutions below under Upgrading Java, to download and install the latest vesion.

• Read through the requirements and privacy statement and click on Accept button.
• It will start downloading and installing the scanner and virus definitions. You will be prompted to install an application from Kaspersky. Click Run.
• When the downloads have finished, click on Settings.
• Make sure the following is checked.
  
  • Spyware, Adware, Dialers, and other potentially dangerous programs
    Archives
    Mail databases
• Click on My Computer under Scan.
• Once the scan is complete, it will display the results. Click on View Scan Report.
• You will see a list of infected items there. Click on Save Report As....
• Save this report to a convenient place. Change the Files of type to Text file (.txt) before clicking on the Save button.
• Please post this log in your next reply.

[Flyer2008]

Hiya

I've run the scans. Both seem all clear - nothing was picked up. Below is the Kaspersky Scan:

Thanks again - much appreciated :-)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KASPERSKY ONLINE SCANNER 7 REPORT
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Kaspersky Online Scanner 7 version: 7.0.25.0
Program database last update: Thursday, December 11, 2008 05:01:06
Records in database: 1451358
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scan settings:
Scan using the following database: extended
Scan archives: yes
Scan mail databases: yes

Scan area - My Computer:
C:\
D:\

Scan statistics:
Files scanned: 107374
Threat name: 0
Infected objects: 0
Suspicious objects: 0
Duration of the scan: 02:29:39

No malware has been detected. The scan area is clean.

The selected area was scanned.

[Gravity Gripp]

Yep, looks good. Let's finish up.

STEP ONE - Cleanup

• Please download OTCleanIT to your desktop.
• Double-click OTCleanIt.exe to run it. (Vista users, please right click on OTMoveit2.exe and select "Run as an Administrator")
• Click on the CleanUp! button
• You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the Cleanup process. If you are asked to reboot the machine choose Yes.

STEP TWO - Reset Restore Points
To reset your restore points, please note that you will need to log into your computer with an account which has full administrator access. You will know if the account has administrator access because you will be able to see the System Restore tab. If the tab is missing, you are logged in under a limited account.

(Windows XP)
1. Turn off System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.

2. Reboot.

3. Turn ON System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
UN-Check *Turn off System Restore*.
Click Apply, and then click OK.


And lastly, just some information for you. The following is a list of articles and tools that I like to recommend to people before they head out.
First, and most importantly is to keep your PC up-to-date with the latest patches from Microsoft. Make sure that you have auto updates turned on also. You will be informed if it is turned on or off when you visit the website below.

• Windows Update

Next, I'd like to discuss malware prevention with you. As I said, the first step is to keep Windows up-to-date, but that isn't always enough. You also have to be aware of the sites you visit. Questionable and illegal sites almost always try to infect your machine. Even if you have anti-virus and a firewall, you can still get infected from these sites. It's best to just avoid them all together.

Also, when surfing the web, be careful of popups and do NOT click on a popup. If you get a popup for anti-virus or anti-spyware software, NEVER download it and NEVER buy it, it is nothing more than just more spyware. Also, these are a couple of great programs to help prevent malware infections. Instead of being reactive they are proactive.

• MVPS Hosts File
• SpywareGuard by Javacool - Realtime protection from spyware.
• Spyware Blaster by Javacool - How to use SpywareBlaster
• ATF Cleaner - Cleans out temporary files that takes up space and could house malware.

While discussing browsing habits, I like to recommend to everyone to use an alternate web browser called Mozilla Firefox. My personal feeling is that Internet Explorer just doesn't fit the bill when coming to security. I have been using Firefox for several years now and have never had issues with it.

• Mozilla Firefox
• NoScript! - Adds a better layer of security to Firefox, but only if you are feeling adventurous.

Another avenue for malware in recent years has been Peer-To-Peer (P2P) applications, programs like Kazaa, Limewire, and even BitTorrent programs can spread malware. You have to be very weary of what you download from these applications as a lot of time they are infected also. Here is a very good article from Microsoft about the dangers of P2P.

• Dangers of P2P File Sharing

Now, every now and again the Windows operating systems just gets slow and needs to be cleaned up. The follow is an article by Miekiemoes that gives very good information on how to speed up your PC when it's not malware related.

• Help! My computer is slow by Miekiemoes

Also, I would just like to thank you for coming by Geeks-To-Go and I'm glad we could lend you a hand.

Edited by Gravity Gripp, 11 December 2008 - 06:10 AM.

[Flyer2008]

Thanks again - you guys are the best

Cheers