[dbreeze]

Devasativa,

Thanks for the log. And we will get to your questions now.

First, however, I reviewed all your logs and Fixes and there are some issues with the Local Network services that need to be addressed. At the same time, grillaprice will be dealt with.

To do this, download this file to your desktop.  FixLocalUni.bat   266bytes   282 downloads
Right-click on FixLocalUni.bat and select Run as Administrator. You may have to accept the UAC permission to allow it to run.
After it runs, it will shutdown your system and delete itself. Let me know if the file is still present after you restart your system.

Then, ......


All right!! Your logs are clean and you're good to go now!!


Keep Windows Updated
Microsoft issues updates to Windows to close vulnerabilities as they are discovered. Staying updated helps protect your system from current exploits.

• Click Start and then click Control Panel.
• Click on the View by: in the upper right corner and select Large Icons (you can change this back later if you like).
• Scroll down and click on Windows Update.
• Click on Change settings.
• Under Important Updates, click on Install updates automatically (recommended).
• Select (click on) the other options on this page.
• Select a day and time to have windows install the updates.
• Click on Ok to change the settings.
• If you want to change the view of the Control Panel display, click on the View by: in the upper right hand corner and select an option you prefer.

Keep other Important Programs Updated
Along with keeping Windows updated, it is a good idea to keep important programs updated. Java and Adobe Reader both need to be kept updated to the latest versions; malware writers utilize exploits in the unpatched versions to their advantages.


Adobe Reader
Adobe Reader is the second most targeted (by malware) common software. If all you ever do with Adobe Reader is view PDF files, then please consider replacing it with a lighter, free PDF reader that is not exploitable. One that we recommend is Sumatra PDF.

To update Adobe Reader:

• Launch your Adobe Reader.
• Click Help and then click on About Adobe Reader from the menu list.
• If the version is 11.0.04 then you are up to date. If it is less than this and you are keeping Adobe Reader, you should update to the latest version.
• The best place to get Adobe Reader is from Adobe (click on Adobe to go there now).
• Click on Download in the menu bar on top of the Adobe web page.
• Click on Adobe Reader in the list on the right hand side of the page.
• On the next page, click on the check mark (to turn it off) beside the option to include the McAfee scanner in the download and install. Make sure the check is NOT marked (this is another example of Foistware).
• Click the Install Now button and follow the directions on next page.
• If you are prompted to Save the installer file, choose to save it to your desktop. Once it is saved, right click on the file and select Run as Administrator.
• When the installation is finished, you can delete the installer file on your desktop.

Consider a program that will check for out-of-date programs on your system
Some programs don't have update checks built in or make you run the application to start the check for updates process. An easier way to stay on top of the current versions of your installed programs is to use a version checking program like Update Checker from FileHippo.com (you can get the software from here and read more about it on the same page).


You are now done!

Now some information on programs to help keep you safe:

First, an Antivirus program. You NEED one; free is just as good as paid-for as long as you keep them updated. ONLY use one at a time as having more than that will cause system problems. Here are some free ones to check out:
Microsoft Security Essentials
Avast! Free Antivirus

Next, a firewall is a must have now-a-days. The built in firewall in Windows 7 is fine (just make sure it is turned on (Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall)). Or, if you like, you could choose one of the free ones listed here:
Emsisoft Online Armor - installs as trialware which converts to freeware in 30 days
Zone Alarm Free Firewall - installer includes foistware so read the options very carefully

=== Options but Highly Recommended ====
Unchecky is a small service that runs in the background to help keep those "extra toolbars" and tag along search engines from automatically installing. By automatically directing you to a custom install with all the options unchecked, only what you manually choose and confirm gets installed.

CryptoPrevent is a free program that prevents CryptoLocker / ransomware from infecting your PC by locking down the OS so the malware can not get a grip on your system. You can read the details about this program here.

Also, consider adding MalwareBytes Antimalware to your arsenal of safe keeping programs. Use the free version (not the paid or trial version) and you won't have a problem with your antivirus scanner program. Keep it updated and run a scan with it once a week.

Lastly, if you use Firefox as your main web browser, consider adding the NoScript and AdBlockPlus add-ons to the browser to block scripting hijacks and remove unwanted ads from the pages you view.

You may also find some information and tips at this thread:
How did I get infected in the first place?
and
COMPUTER SECURITY - a short quide to staying safer online
 

I'll leave this topic open for a few days so that if you have any questions you can come back here. Surf safe, my friend!!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

For a AV solution, you see GeeksToGo's recommendations above. We suggest these because they work and are Free. If you are going to go from on AV to another (for whatever reason) then I would suggest that you use the vendor's Removal Tools no matter how much they say their standard uninstall routine works. Even going from a Suite to the Anti-Virus of the same vendor would need a clean installation of the AV.

As to your question about Malwarebytes Anti-malware not running; you have the paid Pro version and have started a support request with technical support at Malwarebytes.org. I would continue with them as there may be issues that non-Malwarebytes employees do not know of. When you have reached the end of that support line, you are more than welcome to return here and ask for help on this or any other issue you have.

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Please keep open a few more days..personal matters have kept me away from computer, but I have a few more questions. Thanks so much.

[devasativa]

Please keep open a few more days..personal matters have kept me away from computer, but I have a few more questions. Thanks so much.

[dbreeze]

Not a problem; will do.  Ask when you are ready.

[devasativa]

would cryptoprevent and maLWAREBYTES with avast free be overkill do you think?

[dbreeze]

In my opinion, Avast! Antivirus Free, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Cryptoprevent would be a great security combination.  You should also keep the Win7 Firewall turned on and set to the recommended levels of filtering (they should be at these levels now).

 

Since Avast! has realtime scanning, and MalwareBytes does also, you may want to check about having to exclude each others' processes from the others scans (Avast! would have exclusions of MalwareBytes files and processes; Malwarebytes would have exclusions of Avast! files and processes).

[Dakeyras]

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.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.