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Slowness !

Started by lucien , Sep 21 2004 05:15 PM

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#1
lucien

Posted 21 September 2004 - 05:15 PM

Member

Member
79 posts

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 8:12:59 PM, on 9/21/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WToolsS.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\carpserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus.exe
C:\Program Files\WebSavings_from_Ebates\WebSavingsFromEbates0.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsA.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WSup.exe
C:\Program Files\D-Link AirPlus\AirPlus.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\WebSavings_from_Ebates\WebSavingsFromEbates1.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\knlwrap.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\engine\6\INTEL3~1\ikernel.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\PIB.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPSSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.seekerbar...spx?tb_id=50154
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://www.seekerbar...spx?tb_id=50154
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,CustomizeSearch = res://C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll/sa
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.seekerbar...spx?tb_id=50154
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = res://C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll/sa
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - {8952A998-1E7E-4716-B23D-3DBE03910972} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\system32\Userinit.exe
N1 - Netscape 4: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://www.ns.sympatico.ca"); (C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\User00\prefs.js)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {87766247-311C-43B4-8499-3D5FEC94A183} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsB.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {8952A998-1E7E-4716-B23D-3DBE03910972} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: &Search Toolbar - {339BB23F-A864-48C0-A59F-29EA915965EC} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\System32\\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CARPService] carpserv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark X1100 Series] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark X1100 Series\lxbkbmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Piolet] C:\Program Files\Piolet\Piolet.exe SILENT
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTPreset] VTPreset.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\documents and settings\rs\desktop\luciens stuff\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ICQ Lite] C:\Program Files\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe -minimize
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebSavingsFromEbates0] "C:\Program Files\WebSavings_from_Ebates\WebSavingsFromEbates0.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TBPS] C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinTools] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsA.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [AAW] "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Personal\Ad-Aware.exe" "+b1"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus.exe" /WinStart
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - Startup: PowerReg Scheduler.exe
O4 - Global Startup: D-Link AirPlus.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download all by Free Download Manager - file://C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Free Download Manager\dlall.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download by Free Download Manager - file://C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Free Download Manager\dllink.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download selected by Free Download Manager - file://C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Free Download Manager\dlselected.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download web site by Free Download Manager - file://C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Free Download Manager\dlpage.htm
O9 - Extra button: ICQ 4 - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program Files\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program Files\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
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
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O12 - Plugin for .UVR: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPUPano.dll
O16 - DPF: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zon...ry/msgrchkr.cab
O16 - DPF: {27527D31-447B-11D5-A46E-0001023B4289} (CoGSManager Class) - http://gamingzone.ub...s/GSManager.cab
O16 - DPF: {288C5F13-7E52-4ADA-A32E-F5BF9D125F98} (CR64Loader Object) - http://www.miniclip....ro64_loader.dll
O16 - DPF: {2917297F-F02B-4B9D-81DF-494B6333150B} (Minesweeper Flags Class) - http://messenger.zon...MineSweeper.cab
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (FilePlanet Download Control Class) - http://www.fileplane...DC_1_0_0_44.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupd...b?1093469525917
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zon...StatsClient.cab
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield International Setup Player) - http://www.installen...gine/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {E123BED4-B8C7-42BB-958F-F13CA77EF95D} (Anark Client ActiveX Control) - http://install.anark...en/AMClient.cab
O16 - DPF: {EEECA057-AD0F-44A7-8BE5-8634CEDBDBD1} - http://akamai.downlo...tpe32_EN_XP.cab
O16 - DPF: {F58E1CEF-A068-4C15-BA5E-587CAF3EE8C6} (MSN Chat Control 4.5) - http://chat.msn.com/bin/msnchat45.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6BF0D00-0B2A-4A75-BF7B-F385591623AF} (Solitaire Showdown Class) - http://messenger.zon...ireShowdown.cab
O18 - Protocol: tpro - {FF76A5DA-6158-4439-99FF-EDC1B3FE100C} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll

#2
Smokey

Posted 21 September 2004 - 06:25 PM

Member 1K

Retired Staff
1,423 posts

Welcome to GTG lucien <_<

You may wish to print out a copy of these instructions to follow while you complete this procedure. Please move Hijack This to a permanent folder (i.e. C:\HJT). This ensures backups are saved and accessible.

Reboot in safe mode (by tapping F8 at startup and select safe mode from the menu). Be sure you're able to view hidden files, and remove the following:

C:\Program Files\Toolbar\
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\
C:\Program Files\WebSavings_from_Ebates\
C:\Windows\System32\PowerReg Scheduler.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPUPano.dll

Next, please go offline, close all browsers and any open Windows, making sure that only HijackThis is open. Scan and when it finishes, put an X in the boxes, only next to these following items, then click fix checked.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.seekerbar...spx?tb_id=50154
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://www.seekerbar...spx?tb_id=50154
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,CustomizeSearch = res://C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll/sa
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.seekerbar...spx?tb_id=50154
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = res://C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll/sa
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - {8952A998-1E7E-4716-B23D-3DBE03910972} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
N1 - Netscape 4: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://www.ns.sympatico.ca"); (C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\User00\prefs.js)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {87766247-311C-43B4-8499-3D5FEC94A183} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsB.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {8952A998-1E7E-4716-B23D-3DBE03910972} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebSavingsFromEbates0] "C:\Program Files\WebSavings_from_Ebates\WebSavingsFromEbates0.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TBPS] C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinTools] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsA.exe
O4 - Startup: PowerReg Scheduler.exe
O4 - Global Startup: D-Link AirPlus.lnk = ?
O9 - Extra button: ICQ 4 - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program Files\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program Files\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O12 - Plugin for .UVR: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPUPano.dll
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield International Setup Player) - http://www.installen...gine/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {E123BED4-B8C7-42BB-958F-F13CA77EF95D} (Anark Client ActiveX Control) - http://install.anark...en/AMClient.cab
O16 - DPF: {EEECA057-AD0F-44A7-8BE5-8634CEDBDBD1} - http://akamai.downlo...tpe32_EN_XP.cab
O18 - Protocol: tpro - {FF76A5DA-6158-4439-99FF-EDC1B3FE100C} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll

The following are optional, fix the ones (or others) you don't use:

MSN Messenger:
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus.exe" /WinStart
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
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

Quicktime Tray Icon:
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\documents and settings\rs\desktop\luciens stuff\qttask.exe" -atboottime

Yahoo Messenger:
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet

Reboot your PC.

If you would please, rescan with HijackThis and post a fresh log, and let us know how your system's working.

#3
lucien

Posted 21 September 2004 - 07:12 PM

Member

Topic Starter
Member
79 posts

i did what u asked and this is my log afterwords

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 10:05:09 PM, on 9/21/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\carpserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\D-Link AirPlus\AirPlus.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca/
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\system32\Userinit.exe
N1 - Netscape 4: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://home.netscape.com/"); (C:\Program Files\Netscape\Users\User00\prefs.js)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: &Search Toolbar - {339BB23F-A864-48C0-A59F-29EA915965EC} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll (file missing)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\System32\\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CARPService] carpserv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark X1100 Series] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark X1100 Series\lxbkbmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Piolet] C:\Program Files\Piolet\Piolet.exe SILENT
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTPreset] VTPreset.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\documents and settings\rs\desktop\luciens stuff\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ICQ Lite] C:\Program Files\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe -minimize
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:\Program Files\Messenger Plus! 3\MsgPlus.exe" /WinStart
O4 - Global Startup: D-Link AirPlus.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download all by Free Download Manager - file://C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Free Download Manager\dlall.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download by Free Download Manager - file://C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Free Download Manager\dllink.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download selected by Free Download Manager - file://C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Free Download Manager\dlselected.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download web site by Free Download Manager - file://C:\Documents and Settings\RS\Desktop\Free Download Manager\dlpage.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Web Savings - file://C:\Program Files\WebSavings_from_Ebates\Sy400\Tp400\scri400a.htm
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
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zon...ry/msgrchkr.cab
O16 - DPF: {27527D31-447B-11D5-A46E-0001023B4289} (CoGSManager Class) - http://gamingzone.ub...s/GSManager.cab
O16 - DPF: {288C5F13-7E52-4ADA-A32E-F5BF9D125F98} (CR64Loader Object) - http://www.miniclip....ro64_loader.dll
O16 - DPF: {2917297F-F02B-4B9D-81DF-494B6333150B} (Minesweeper Flags Class) - http://messenger.zon...MineSweeper.cab
O16 - DPF: {39B0684F-D7BF-4743-B050-FDC3F48F7E3B} (FilePlanet Download Control Class) - http://www.fileplane...DC_1_0_0_44.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupd...b?1093469525917
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zon...StatsClient.cab
O16 - DPF: {F58E1CEF-A068-4C15-BA5E-587CAF3EE8C6} (MSN Chat Control 4.5) - http://chat.msn.com/bin/msnchat45.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6BF0D00-0B2A-4A75-BF7B-F385591623AF} (Solitaire Showdown Class) - http://messenger.zon...ireShowdown.cab

it seems to be working good <_<

#4
Smokey

Posted 21 September 2004 - 07:34 PM

Member 1K

Retired Staff
1,423 posts

If you do not use MSN Messnger, or Messenger Plus, please uninstall them throught the control panel. Just fix these last ones in HJT:

O3 - Toolbar: &Search Toolbar - {339BB23F-A864-48C0-A59F-29EA915965EC} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll (file missing)
O4 - Global Startup: D-Link AirPlus.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: Web Savings - file://C:\Program Files\WebSavings_from_Ebates\Sy400\Tp400\scri400a.htm

Other than that, Congratulations! Your system is CLEAN <_<

How do you prevent spyware from being installed again? We strongly recommend installing SpywareBlaster (it's free for personal use).

Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.
Consumes no system resources.

Download, run, check for updates, download updates, select all, protect against checked. All done. Check for updates every couple of weeks. If you have any errors running the program like a missing file see the link at the bottom of the javacool page.
Link to SpywareBlaster: http://www.geekstogo...tion=show&id=12

It's also CRITICAL to keep your system up to date to avoid unnecessary security risks. Click Here to make sure that you have the latest patches for Windows.

I strongly recommend having an anti-virus and keeping it up-to-date. If you don't have one or are sick of paying for what you have, AVG offers a great, free anti-virus:
http://free.grisoft....us/doc/2/tpl/v5

A firewall is also another must. If you do not have one or Windows XP Serivce Pack 2, both Zone Labs and Sygate offer great, free firewalls. I suggest using Zone Alarm for an advanced user or Sygate Personal Firewall for beginner users.

These next two steps are optional, but will provide the greatest protection.
1. Use ANY browser at all times besides Internet Explorer, almost every exploit is crafted to take advantage of an IE weakness. We usually recommend Firefox (You'll need to use IE only to visit Windows Update).
2. Install Sun's Java. It's much more secure than Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine.

It's okay to delete the Hijack This folder in a couple weeks if everything is working okay.

After doing all these, your system will be thoroughly protected from future threats.