[SleepyDude]

It is booting A LOT faster now then it did before. Although, something strange just happened. I.E opened by itself, and I was given a security warning. I wasn't redirected to another site, just the home page. I never use I.E. I.E is the best web browser for downloading other web browsers.

Can you explain me the type of security warning you got?

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Can you explain me the type of security warning you got?

It was a "Security warning: Are you sure you want to leave this secure page?" popup. I clicked no and closed the browser.

Edited by Down_with_malware, 01 October 2013 - 05:25 PM.

[Down_with_malware]

Can you explain me the type of security warning you got?

It was a "Security warning: Are you sure you want to leave this secure page?" popup. I clicked no and closed the browser.

Edited by Down_with_malware, 01 October 2013 - 05:25 PM.

[SleepyDude]

Hello Raymond,

That's good news about your computer speed.


The Internet Explorer popup it's probably related to the Adware we removed. Resetting Internet Explorer to the default configuration should fix it.

The SFC scan also found some problems on files related to Internet Explorer, although you do not use IE the browser is deep integrated with Windows 7 and running an outdated version of the program will make your system vulnerable. I recommend you the following steps:

Step 1 - Reset Internet Explorer

• Close all Internet Explorer and Explorer windows that are currently open.
• Start Internet Explorer.
  
  Note: If you are running Windows 8, start Internet Explorer for the Desktop. Changing your settings will affect both Internet Explorer and Internet Explorer for the Desktop.
  
• On the Tools menu, tap or click Internet options. If you don't see the Tools menu, press Alt.
• In the Internet Options window, tap or click the Advanced tab.
• Tap or click Reset.
• In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, tap or click Reset.
  
  Select the Delete personal settings check box if you also want to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, Tracking Protection, and ActiveX Filtering data.
• When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, tap or click Close, and then tap or click OK.
• Exit and then start Internet Explorer.

Alternatively you can use the Microsoft Fix it tool available here.


Step 2 - Update Internet Explorer

Update Internet Explorer by visiting this page.
Its available Internet Explorer 9 and 10, some pages don't work correctly with Internet Explorer 10 that is currently the latest version, but as you use another browser its advised to install IE 10 to make the system more secure.

After this steps please confirm that Internet Explorer is working correctly, without any warnings.

[Down_with_malware]

Hello there! Thanks so much for your help! I did step one, but can't I just uninstall I.E off my machine? I

think I am gonna go that so it isn't a worry anymore. I get no more warnings. My PC seems to be in good shape!

So are we done here? Or is there something else you want to look at?

[SleepyDude]

Hello,

Hello there! Thanks so much for your help! I did step one, but can't I just uninstall I.E off my machine? I

think I am gonna go that so it isn't a worry anymore. I get no more warnings. My PC seems to be in good shape!

You are welcome.
No Internet Explorer is integrated on Windows and cannot be removed without breaking things, your best option is to keep it updated even if you don't use it.

So are we done here? Or is there something else you want to look at?

Yes, if there are no more problems. Now before you go I would like to remove the tools we use and give you some final recommendations.

Step 1 - Remove Temporary Files

Temporary files may be created by computer programs for a variety of purposes, many times they are not removed as it should. This files will reduce the free disk space and make the system work slower.

Please Run this OTL Script to remove temporary files.

• Execute OTL by double clicking the icon . Make sure all other windows are closed.
• Copy & Paste the following code into the text box
  

  :OTL
  
  :Commands
  [EmptyTemp]
  [Reboot]
  

• click the button at the top. Let the program run uninterrupted.
• click OK
• accept to Restart the System

Step 2 - Empty The System Restore

Remove old Restore Points and create a New Clean Restore Point.

• Right click on the icon and choose Run as Administrator to execute the tool. Make sure all other windows are closed and to let it run uninterrupted.
  Do not change any other settings unless otherwise told to do so.
• Under the box at the bottom, paste in the following:
  

  :Files
  %systemroot%\sysnative\vssadmin.exe delete shadows /for=c: /all /quiet /c
  
  :Commands
  [CreateRestorePoint]
  

• click the button at the top
  Notes:
  
• when done OTL will show a windows with Fix Complete!, click OK to access the report.
• Copy & Paste the result in your next reply and not as attachment.

Step 2 - Remove the Tools we use

» OTL

• Double-click the OTL Icon on the Desktop to start the program
  (Accept the UAC prompt to allow changes to the computer).
• click the button. Accept the prompt to Reboot.

» AdwCleaner

• Double-click then AdwCleaner Icon on the Desktop to run the program.
  (Accept the UAC prompt to allow changes to the computer).
• click the Uninstall button

» Uninstall ESET On-line Scanner

• Please open Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a program or Programs and Features if in Classic View, locate ESET On-line Scanner on the list and uninstall because it's no longer needed.

» ComboFix

• Press on the keyboard, this will open the Run box window
• In the run box, please type:
  

  Combofix /Uninstall

  (Notice the space between the "x" and "/")
• click OK

» Others

• Delete SecurityCheck, FSS, FRST/FRST64, MiniToolBox and any other Program, .log, .txt, .reg, file created on the Desktop during the cleaning process.

Step 3 - How to prevent new infections

To protect your computer from being infected again its very important to keep Windows Updated and all the programs related with the internet, Web Browser, Flash Player, Adobe Reader and Java only to mention the most targeted by today security exploits. Follow the instructions below to keep these critical programs updated:

• • Windows and Internet Explorer
    To keep Windows and Internet Explorer updated make sure you have Windows Update enabled on the Control Panel applet, follow the instructions for Windows 7 on this MS article How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows or use the FixIt tool provided.
  • Antivirus and Antimalware programs
    Make sure you have a Antivirus program always updated and running.
    Sometimes Antivirus can miss some malware, when that happens its good to have Malwarebytes free installed, Update and run weekly to keep your system clean. Malwarebytes is also good to revert some system changes made by the malware.
  • Enable the Windows Firewall
    No system can be considered safe if not protected by a Firewall. If you are connected to the Internet by a Router you should check its configuration and make sure the firewall is active.
    If you connect by modem or to a open Local Network you should enable the Windows 7 built-in firewall.
  • Adobe Flash Player
    To update Adobe Flash Player accept any prompt to update or manually initiate the update by opening Start Menu > Settings > Control Panel open the applet called Flash Player, on the Advanced tab click the Check Now button. Accept any prompt to install an updated version.
  • Adobe Reader
    Adobe Reader, can be updated if you Open Adobe Reader from the Start Menu, when the program full load click on the Help menu next click the Check for updates now option. Follow the prompts to install any new update.
  • Java Runtime
    When java is installed its extremely important to update immediately when you get a notification pop-up from the Java Updater. Or update manually by opening the Start Menu > Settings > Control Panel, open the applet called Java on the Update tab click the Update Now button. The program will prompt you to install any new updated version available.
    Every time you update Java make sure you uncheck the box asking to Install the Ask Toolbar and make Ask my default search provider
• Keep Installed Programs Up to Date
  It's important to keep all other programs on your computer updated because they can also have security vulnerability explored by the malware to infect you. Therefore, it is also a good idea to check for the latest versions of commonly installed applications to fix vulnerabilities, this can be done manually by using the Update feature included in most programs or you can use one of the following programs to help you with this task:
  
  • Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)
  • FileHippo.com Update Checker
• Surf the Net with extra Security
  Every web browser is a target for malware, the bad guys are always trying to explorer security holes to infect the computers, and this is especially true for Internet Explorer because is one of the most used. Using alternatives like Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome can help protecting your computer from infections.
  And for Firefox and Chrome you can get an extra layer of protection by installing two add-ons AdBlockPlus and Web Of Trust (WOT). WOT can also protect Internet Explorer.

::: Some final recommendations :::

• *Always* Keep a backup of your important files;
• When installing\updating any program, make sure you always select Custom Installation, this way you can Uncheck any possible drive-by-install (foistware), like toolbars etc., which may try to install along with the legitimate program. Do NOT click Next button without looking at any given page;
• Always try to download programs from the authors home pages. Today many big download sites are forcing users to install download helper tools that includes Adware, Spyware and extra crap you don't need to install;
• Finally, please read:
  
• How did I Get Infected in the First Place?
• Pitfalls of free downloads...
• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet

Best Regards and have a Safe surfing!

[Dakeyras]

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