"avast! WebRep" is harmless. What it does it give you a rating (green or red vertical bars) to indicate whether they think the site you are visiting or contemplating visiting (links in a google search) is safe. You can remove it if you want to.
If there are no other problems then we can clean up:
We need to clean up System Restore.
Copy the following:
:Commands [CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS] [Reboot]Run OTL. In the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the copied text (Ctrl + v) and then hit Run Fix.
You can uninstall or delete any tools we had you download and their logs.
To uninstall combofix, copy the next line:
"%userprofile%\Desktop\combofix.exe" /Uninstall
Start, Run, cmd, OK then right click, Paste, then hit Enter.
OTL has a cleanup tab so if you run it again and select cleanup it will remove itself and its backup files.
To hide hidden files again (If you do not run OTL cleanup):
XP
# Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
# Double-click on the My Computer icon.
# Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
# After the new window appears select the View tab.
# Uncheck the checkbox labeled Display the contents of system folders.
# Under the Hidden files and folders section select the 'Hide protected operating system files (recommended)' option.
# Check the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
# Press the Apply button and then the OK button and exit My Computer.
Also make sure you have the latest versions of any adobe.com products you use like Shockwave, Flash or Acrobat.
Whether you use adobe reader, acrobat or fox-it to read pdf files you need to disable Javascript in the program. There is an exploit out there now that can use it to get on your PC. For Adobe Reader: Start, All Programs, Adobe Reader, Edit, Preferences, Click on Javascript in the left column and uncheck Enable Acrobat Javascript. OK Close program. It's the same for Foxit reader except you uncheck Enable Javascript Actions.
To help keep your programs up-to-date you should download and run the UpdateChecker:
http://www.filehippo.../updatechecker/
(You don't need to download Betas and if there is a program you don't use you can just uninstall it rather than update it. You can right click on the updatechecker icon (looks like a downward green arrowhead) and select Settings and tell it no betas. If you don't use MSN Messenger I would not upgdate it. MS installs a bunch of stuff when you do. You can tell the program to not show you that update.)
If you use Firefox or Chome then get the AdBlock Plus Add-on. WOT (Web of Trust) is another you might want to try.
The equivalent to AdBlock Plus for IE is called Simple Adblock and you should install it too: Adhttp://simple-adblock.com/ tho the free version only works for about 200 ads a day.
If Firefox is slow loading make sure it only has the current Java add-on. Then download and run Speedy Fox.
http://www.crystalidea.com/speedyfox . Click on Speedup my Firefox. When it finishes click on Exit.
Be warned: If you use Limewire, utorrent or any of the other P2P programs you will almost certain be coming back to the Malware Removal forum. If you must use P2P then submit any files you get to http://virustotal.com before you open them.
If you have a router, log on to it today and change the default password! If using a Wireless router you really should be using encryption on the link. Use the strongest (newest) encryption method that your router and PC wireless adapter support especially if you own a business. See http://www.king5.com...-120637284.html and http://www.seattlepi...ted-1344185.php for why encryption is important. If you don't know how, visit the router maker's website. They all have detailed step by step instructions or a wizard you can download.
Older PCs tend to get hot due to dust buildup or weak fans. You may want to run speedfan
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
Download, save and Install it then run it once in a while while the PC is playing a movie or running an anti-virus scan or other CPU intensive task.
It will tell you your temps. If they get above 40 on a desktop, 50 on a laptop you probably need to clean the air intakes and/or CPU heatsink or replace the fan.
Ron
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