[creatureofdarkness]

tampabelle-
I went to the C:\windows\system32\dllcache folder (your post noted system23, but I found none by that name, and figured it was a typo), but there was no cfgmgr32.dll there either. So, emboldened by having been sent so many other places for so much other stuff throughout our process of the past days, I Googled that file name and found different places I could download it for free. So I did, and after scanning it with both Norton Antivirus and Ewido, copied it into the system32 folder, rebooted, and got no error messages. I was going to go ahead and do full system scans with Norton, Ewido, AdAware, SpyBot, and Panda, but figured I'd get your word on exactly what to do next first. Also, I still have each and every of the downloads I've gotten throughout our process. Should, or will I eventually remove some/any of them?
Again: and Thank you!

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Hi Dan,

Usually the file gets replaced by the clean copy automatically. In this case we had to manually replace the clean copy.

You can keep the following stuff that you downloaded during the entire process-

CleanUp
Ewido Security Suite - The Ewido suite that you downloaded has a trial period of 14 days. Even after the trial period has expired, the suite can be used to scan on your PC. You have to manually update the definitions every once in a while. There are a few more functionalities which are not available in the trial product but it is good to keep.

You can delete the following stuff -

Nailfix and its files
Find_Qoologic
l2mfix and the extracted files
Killbox
Dllcompare.exe
fix.reg
2.bat

[tampabelle]

Hi Dan,

Usually the file gets replaced by the clean copy automatically. In this case we had to manually replace the clean copy.

You can keep the following stuff that you downloaded during the entire process-

CleanUp
Ewido Security Suite - The Ewido suite that you downloaded has a trial period of 14 days. Even after the trial period has expired, the suite can be used to scan on your PC. You have to manually update the definitions every once in a while. There are a few more functionalities which are not available in the trial product but it is good to keep.

You can delete the following stuff -

Nailfix and its files
Find_Qoologic
l2mfix and the extracted files
Killbox
Dllcompare.exe
fix.reg
2.bat

[tampabelle]

Hi Dan,


CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!! Your PC is clean


I would recommend the following steps to keep your PC clean (especially Step 8 now that your PC is clean) –

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR FUTURE

Operating System
1. Keep the Windows and Internet Explorer updated with the latest fixes. These fixes are available free from Microsoft. Click on Tools in the IE menu bar and then on Windows update. You can also the following links

Windows security and critical updates
Internet Explorer security and critical updates

Also ensure that automatic updates are enabled for faster updation of the system.
(Right click on My Computer on your desktop, properties and Automatic Updates tab.


Anti-Virus Software
2. Keep your Anti-virus program updated with the latest definitions. Some of the common anti-virus programs in use are :

Norton Anti-Virus
McAfee Anti-Virus
AVG Anti-Virus --- freeware
Avast Home Edition --- freeware

Use only one anti-virus program as multiple such programs can create conflicts between themselves and severely hamper the performance of your PC.


Firewall
3. You should also have a good firewall. Here are 3 free ones available for personal use:
Sygate Personal Firewall, Kerio Personal Firewall, ZoneAlarm


Internet Browsers
4. Have robust explorer settings. It is preferable to use an internet browser other that IE as most of the malware is targetted at IE. In case you prefer to use IE, then download a list of innocent looking but harmful websites from IE-Spyad and install it on ur PC. IE-SPYAD puts over 5000 sites in your internet explorer's restricted zone, so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't really innocent at all.

Some alternate browsers I suggest are Firefox Mozilla Browser and Opera

Ensure that Security level, irrespective of whichever browser you use, is set at Medium or higher, restrict the usage of cookies and activeX components.


Spyware Protection
5. Have a wall of protection against spyware / adware by installing SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard.

SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard are by JavaCool and both are free programs.
SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from being installed and consumes no system resources.
SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation and browser hijack attempts. Both have free ongoing updates.


Spyware Removers
6. Install programs for scanning for malware and uninstalling them. Two of the best programs, both are freeware, are :

Spybot Search & Destroy - A powerful tool which can search and annhilate nasties that make it onto your system. Now with an Immunize section that will help prevent future infections.

AdAware SE Personal Edition - Another very powerful tool which searches and kills nasties that infect your system. AdAware and Spybot Search & Destroy compliment each other very well.


Regular Maintenance of PC
7. Finally, invest some time for regular maintenance of your PC. Delete the temporary Internet files, temporary files, cookies etc. Click on Start button, Programs, Accessories, System Tools and run the program Disk Cleanup. Follow the instructions.

An alternate freeware software which can be used is CleanUp.

Keep your Registry clean. My favourite software is Registry First Aid. This is not a freeware but a trial version can be downloaded.


System Restore Points
8. Since your PC is currently clean, create a system restore point. A system restore would enable you to revert to the settings on the PC when the restore point was created. It is also a good idea to flush all earlier system restore points which may be containing infected files.

A. 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.

B. Restart your computer.

C. 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.

System Restore will now be active again.


Go ahead and enjoy a clean PC !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[creatureofdarkness]

tampabelle -
You congratulate me?? I congratulate you!!!
And I thank you still and yet once again!
One further question, and a story...
Is Ewido an antivirus program? With Norton Antivirus already on my compter, would it conflict with Ewido, as advised against in your recommendations?
{Also - in addition to your computer expertise, I see you are a mind reader...
I was wondering about recommendations for future PC care and protection. I've printed your list.}
The story...
A man was walking along the beach where, because of unusual conditions, countless starfish were washed up on the beach as far as the eye could see. It was clear they would die in the sun before the tide could take them safely back to sea. He came upon a woman who was picking up the starfish one by one and throwing them back out into the water. The man said "You can never get all those starfish back into the water in time. Your effort won't make any difference in the end..."
She replied simply, holding up the one in her hand, "It will to this one."

tampabelle, I suspect your efforts to eliminate malware will never get it all gone.
But I thank you for the difference you have made for this one.
And as I posted earlier, what a trip!

[creatureofdarkness]

tampabelle -
And some further questions...
Should I remove Hijack This?
And I find some other things I don't recognize for sure: Diamond CS Tds-3, and a desktop.ini file in my My Documents folder, and a Msicuu2.exe setup file on my desktop. And... somewhere along the line I got Wintasks 5, but haven't really figured out how/whether it can help as a preventive measure. Any comment?
(Other than... "they sure are good marketers, aren't they!)
Thanks

[tampabelle]

Hi Dan,

Donot run Ewido and Norton at the same time. As Ewido is under trial period and after it expires you wont have a lot of features which Norton provides. So you can deactivate it from running at start-up and just keep it on your PC for manual run once in a while.

Diamond CS tds-3 is a trojan scanner and can be kept.

I have some 5000 copies of desktop.ini files. I am sure that if you search for the file name, even you will come up with a similar number. Leave them or delete them doesnt make a difference. I suggest delete it from your desktop and desktop alone.

Msicuu2.exe and Wintask5 are both potent programs and can wreak havoc if misused / wrongly used. You can keep these programs but strongly recommned that these be used only with proper guidance.

[creatureofdarkness]

tampabelle -
Thanks for the info.
Hijack This... Keep or remove?

[tampabelle]

Keep it but dont use it without proper guidance.

[creatureofdarkness]

tampabelle -
I will run out of questions eventually... perhaps.
A personal firewall is recommended. Does that mean one in addition to, or instead of the Windows XP firewall? Or, does the XP Firewall suffice?
Thanks

[tampabelle]

I have given you the option of 3 firewalls. All of them are good and all are free. You choose any one of them

[creatureofdarkness]

Thanks again.

[tampabelle]

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