[warcholc]

I restarted that Active Scan and its working this time and already found 11 spywares and 3 hacking tools, so I guess I'm not out of the woods quite yet. I'll post the log when done. While I'm waiting for the scan to finish, I have a couple of other questions if you don't mind.

You say a firewall is a must, but don't install more than one. Is there a firewall built into Avast? If not do you recommend one more than the others of the three you mentioned.

Also, I am running low on hard drive space, do you know a good utility to help me recover some disk space. I ran Cleanup which got me like a gig back, but I was thinking can I get rid of some of these system restore files (which you mention above, I'll follow up on that) and what's that RECYCLER directory, it takes forever for the scanners to get through that. Any other low hanging fruit to regain disk space.

And one final thing, where can I get those smiley face things on the side. My daughter loves those things for her email and IM, but I won't let her download them because they usually come along with a bunch of Malware. You know a safe place to download something like those?

You have been a huge help. Your website is great and you can count on a donation from me. 3 nights up to 4AM and that's with your help, where would I be on my own (still up to 4AM I'm sure but with problem not solved).

[Advertisements]

I restarted that Active Scan and its working this time and already found 11 spywares and 3 hacking tools, so I guess I'm not out of the woods quite yet.  I'll post the log when done.  While I'm waiting for the scan to finish, I have a couple of other questions if you don't mind.

The hacking tools are more than likely the tools we used to fix your computer, so don't worry too much and the others stuff it finds are just random crud left over by the malware, thats Y we like running it.

You say a firewall is a must, but don't install more than one.  Is there a firewall built into Avast?  If not do you recommend one more than the others of the three you mentioned.

I don't believe that there is a firewall with avast, but I am not postive. I recommend those becasue they are proven to work, and they are free. There are a lot of good firewalls out there, but most of them you have to pay for.

Also, I am running low on hard drive space, do you know a good utility to help me recover some disk space.  I ran Cleanup which got me like a gig back, but I was thinking can I get rid of some of these system restore files (which you mention above, I'll follow up on that) and what's that RECYCLER directory, it takes forever for the scanners to get through that.  Any other low hanging fruit to regain disk space.

I would certainly Defrag your machine, that always clears up space. But I would first go thru you computer and get rid of any progrram that you don't need use or need anymore. RECYCLER is your recycling bin, run cleanup frequently.

And one final thing, where can I get those smiley face things on the side.  My daughter loves those things for her email and IM, but I won't let her download them because they usually come along with a bunch of Malware.  You know a safe place to download something like those?

smart thinking! Yes they are infact bundle with stuff. No, i don't know where the safe ones are. I will see if I can find a site with them, but I wouldn't hold your breath...lol

I am on EST also...yikes its getting late...my kids will be up soon...lol



Excal

[Excal]

I restarted that Active Scan and its working this time and already found 11 spywares and 3 hacking tools, so I guess I'm not out of the woods quite yet.  I'll post the log when done.  While I'm waiting for the scan to finish, I have a couple of other questions if you don't mind.

The hacking tools are more than likely the tools we used to fix your computer, so don't worry too much and the others stuff it finds are just random crud left over by the malware, thats Y we like running it.

You say a firewall is a must, but don't install more than one.  Is there a firewall built into Avast?  If not do you recommend one more than the others of the three you mentioned.

I don't believe that there is a firewall with avast, but I am not postive. I recommend those becasue they are proven to work, and they are free. There are a lot of good firewalls out there, but most of them you have to pay for.

Also, I am running low on hard drive space, do you know a good utility to help me recover some disk space.  I ran Cleanup which got me like a gig back, but I was thinking can I get rid of some of these system restore files (which you mention above, I'll follow up on that) and what's that RECYCLER directory, it takes forever for the scanners to get through that.  Any other low hanging fruit to regain disk space.

I would certainly Defrag your machine, that always clears up space. But I would first go thru you computer and get rid of any progrram that you don't need use or need anymore. RECYCLER is your recycling bin, run cleanup frequently.

And one final thing, where can I get those smiley face things on the side.  My daughter loves those things for her email and IM, but I won't let her download them because they usually come along with a bunch of Malware.  You know a safe place to download something like those?

smart thinking! Yes they are infact bundle with stuff. No, i don't know where the safe ones are. I will see if I can find a site with them, but I wouldn't hold your breath...lol

I am on EST also...yikes its getting late...my kids will be up soon...lol



Excal

[warcholc]

OK, ran Active Scan and manually deleted spyware. Had to go back and run Reg Seeker for all other users (I have 4 users on this XP machine). Anything else I have to run from each user separately. I noticed Hijack logs are different and deleted suscpicious entries from other users. I had to go in and run Spyguard, Spyblaster, and IE-Spyad user by user as well.

One more thing, back to this RECYCLER directory. I have emptied the recycle bin for each user, yet when I run a scan, it takes 5 minutes to scan the RECYCLER and I see it cycling through a whole bunch a files. Is this normal.

And I installed Sygate firewall. When it prompts me how do you know what is a safe access and what is not. One in particular it asked me for an incoming request and I said no (NDIS something), now it keeps flashing at me that it is blocking NDIS, and I'm thinking I should have maybe said yes. Do you know how to change it for incoming and not block NDIS. I see how to change it for outgoing, but not incoming.

Thanks again, I'm almost done with this excercise.

[Excal]

RECYCLER Folder contains the recycling bin of each account, so it may very well take a while to scan.

If you double click on the sygate Icon, the program will come up. Then click on the applications button on top. Then u can cycle thru the programs that are blocked or allowed and adjust if necessary *note when you log off you user account, make sure you actually log out and not swtich users. If you don't sygate will not go onto the new account, it will stay active in the account u never logged off of. Just FYI

If you need me to check out the active scan logs, I will.


Thanks,



Excal

[warcholc]

No, I think I'm good. Thanks again for your help. You can close this thread as resolved

[Excal]

Great job, it appears your computer is clean

Ensure you rehide your “hidden files and folders” back to the way they were.

Now that your system is Malware Free, it is important to reset your system Restore. Click Here to learn how to.

Might I suggest the following Free Spyware programs, if you don't already have them, for added security, you can download them at the following links. These programs work great for detection:

Ad-aware SE
Spybot S&D
Microsoft Anti-Spyware


If you are unhappy with your current antivirus and want to replace it or if you dont already have one, I suggest one of these free programs:
*Note - do not use more than one anti-virus program as it will more than likely cause conflict.

AVG
Avast
AntiVir


The following free programs are great for prevention:

SpywareBlaster 3.4
Spywareguard
IE/Spyad

A Firewall is a must! Here are 3 good free versions:
(do not have more than one firewall running on your system)

Sygate
Kerio
ZoneLabs

There are other options other than Internet Explorer for a browser, which some say have better security. Two of them are:

Firefox
Opera

If you decide to keep Internet Explorer, This site is a great source for tightening up security on It's settings.

Make sure that you keep your Operating System and IE updated with the latest Critical Security Updates from Microsoft...they usually come out once a month, on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Included in those updates is Windows XP Service Pack 2. Click Here
Since you're junkware free, the time to get it is NOW. Service Pack 2 is a MAJOR upgrade for XP. It adds numerous security and software patches, as well as new features and functionality. You will also be adding another layer of protection against future threats.

Be sure and give the Temp folders a cleaning out now and then as well, Make sure after you clean your Temp files to empty out your Recycle bin as well.
For ease use the following program:

Cleanup
Run "Cleanup" and when it has finished, Reboot

To help prevent future spyware installations/infections, please read the Anti-Spyware Tutorial and use the tools provided. Also read How I got Infected

[Excal]

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.