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WinAntiSpyware browser hijack [resolved]


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#1
punkitup

punkitup

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Hello, for the last three days I have been having my browser (MS IE) intermittently hijacked to sites for WinAntiSpyware, Winfixer and most recently some dating service. No joy with Adaware or Spybot.

What follows if my HJT log for your review. Thank you for any help….


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 6:40:17 PM, on 9/9/2005
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\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
E:\HighCriteria\TotalRecorder\TotRecSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Transfer\TiVoTransfer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Beacon\TiVoBeacon.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
E:\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hposol08.exe
E:\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpoevm08.exe
E:\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\Bin\hpoSTS08.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
E:\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\WISPTIS.EXE
E:\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - E:\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: MSEvents Object - {52B1DFC7-AAFC-4362-B103-868B0683C697} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\jkkjg.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: PopUpCop - {DB43E4E6-FF8A-4018-8C8E-F68587A44A73} - E:\PopUpCop\PopUpCop.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe /Consumer
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TotalRecorderScheduler] "E:\HighCriteria\TotalRecorder\TotRecSched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TivoServer] "E:\TiVo\Desktop\TiVoServer.exe" /registry /service
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TivoTransfer] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Transfer\TiVoTransfer.exe" /auto:TivoTransfer /registry /service
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: officejet 6100.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open Image in New Window - res://E:\PopUpCop\popupcop.dll/imagenew
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open Picture in &Microsoft PhotoDraw - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office\1033\phdintl.dll/phdContext.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\npjpi142_05.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\npjpi142_05.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.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
O16 - DPF: {0A5FD7C5-A45C-49FC-ADB5-9952547D5715} (Creative Software AutoUpdate) - http://www.creative....009/CTSUEng.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.micros...b?1125476121265
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield International Setup Player) - http://www.installen...gine/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) - http://h30043.www3.h.../qdiagh.cab?323
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://www.creative....15010/CTPID.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: jkkjg - C:\WINDOWS\system32\jkkjg.dll
O23 - Service: GhostStartService - Symantec Corporation - E:\Symantec\NORTON~1\GHOSTS~2.EXE
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Sandra Data Service (SandraDataSrv) - SiSoftware - E:\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite 2005\RpcDataSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Sandra Service (SandraTheSrv) - SiSoftware - E:\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite 2005\RpcSandraSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: TivoBeacon2 - TiVo Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Beacon\TiVoBeacon.exe
O23 - Service: UserAccess7 - Sony DADC Austria AG. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAService7.exe
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#2
g2i2r4

g2i2r4

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Welcome punkitup to Geeks to Go!

Please print these instructions out for use in Safe Mode.

Please download VundoFix.exe to your desktop.
  • Double-click VundoFix.exe to extract the files
  • This will create a VundoFix folder on your desktop.
  • After the files are extracted, please reboot your computer into Safe Mode. You can do this by restarting your computer and continually tapping the F8 key until a menu appears. Use your up arrow key to highlight Safe Mode then hit enter.
  • Once in safe mode open the VundoFix folder and doubleclick on KillVundo.bat
  • You will first be presented with a warning and a list of forums to seek help at.
    it should look like this

    VundoFix V2.1 by Atri
    By pressing enter you agree that you are using this at your own risk
    Please seek assistance at one of the following forums:
    http://www.atribune.org/forums
    http://www.247fixes.com/forums
    http://www.geekstogo.com/forum
    http://forums.net-integration.net


  • At this point press enter one time.

  • Next you will see:

    Type in the filepath as instructed by the forum staff
    Then Press Enter, Then F6, Then Enter Again to continue with the fix.


  • At this point please type the following file path (make sure to enter it exactly as below!):
    • C:\WINDOWS\system32\jkkjg.dll

  • Press Enter, then press the F6 key, then press Enter one more time to continue with the fix.

  • Next you will see:

    Please type in the second filepath as instructed by the forum staff
    Then Press Enter, Then F6, Then Enter Again to continue with the fix.

  • At this point please type the following file path (make sure to enter it exactly as below!):C:\WINDOWS\system32\gjkkj.* This will be the vundo filename spelt backwards. for example if the vundo dll was vundo.dll you would have the user enter odnuv.*
  • Press Enter, then press the F6 key, then press Enter one more time to continue with the fix.
  • The fix will run then HijackThis will open.
  • In HijackThis, please place a check next to the following items and click FIX CHECKED:O2 - BHO: MSEvents Object - {52B1DFC7-AAFC-4362-B103-868B0683C697} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\jkkjg.dll

    O20 - Winlogon Notify: jkkjg - C:\WINDOWS\system32\jkkjg.dll
  • After you have fixed these items, close Hijackthis and Press any key to Force a reboot of your computer.
  • Pressing any key will cause a "Blue Screen of Death" this is normal, do not worry!
  • Once your machine reboots please continue with the instructions below.
Download and install Cleanup from here (Alternate site if the above is not working, go Here)

Open Cleanup! by double-clicking the icon on your desktop (or from the Start > All Programs menu).
Set the program up as follows:
Click "Options..."
Move the arrow down to "Custom CleanUp!"
Put a check next to the following (Make sure nothing else is checked!):
  • Empty Recycle Bins
  • Delete Cookies
  • Delete Prefetch files
  • Cleanup! All Users
Click OK
Press the CleanUp! button to start the program.

It may ask you to reboot at the end, click NO.

Then, please run this online virus scan: ActiveScan

Copy the results of the ActiveScan and paste them here along with a new HijackThis log and the vundofix.txt file from the vundofix folder into this topic.

Edited by g2i2r4, 10 September 2005 - 05:55 AM.

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#3
punkitup

punkitup

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Thank you for your help, Sorry it took a while to get back to you but I have been out all day (I am building my own house, takes a lot of time.)

I hope this info will allow you to give my system a clean bill of health. By the way, what is the nature and name of this pest, how does it get into the system???

I followed your instructions and here are the reports....

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:36:22 PM, on 9/10/2005
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\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Beacon\TiVoBeacon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
E:\HighCriteria\TotalRecorder\TotRecSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Transfer\TiVoTransfer.exe
E:\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hposol08.exe
E:\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpoevm08.exe
E:\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\Bin\hpoSTS08.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
E:\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - E:\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: PopUpCop - {DB43E4E6-FF8A-4018-8C8E-F68587A44A73} - E:\PopUpCop\PopUpCop.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe /Consumer
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TotalRecorderScheduler] "E:\HighCriteria\TotalRecorder\TotRecSched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TivoServer] "E:\TiVo\Desktop\TiVoServer.exe" /registry /service
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TivoTransfer] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Transfer\TiVoTransfer.exe" /auto:TivoTransfer /registry /service
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: officejet 6100.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open Image in New Window - res://E:\PopUpCop\popupcop.dll/imagenew
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open Picture in &Microsoft PhotoDraw - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office\1033\phdintl.dll/phdContext.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\npjpi142_05.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\npjpi142_05.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.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
O16 - DPF: {0A5FD7C5-A45C-49FC-ADB5-9952547D5715} (Creative Software AutoUpdate) - http://www.creative....009/CTSUEng.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.micros...b?1125476121265
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield International Setup Player) - http://www.installen...gine/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoft...free/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) - http://h30043.www3.h.../qdiagh.cab?323
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://www.creative....15010/CTPID.cab
O23 - Service: GhostStartService - Symantec Corporation - E:\Symantec\NORTON~1\GHOSTS~2.EXE
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Sandra Data Service (SandraDataSrv) - SiSoftware - E:\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite 2005\RpcDataSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Sandra Service (SandraTheSrv) - SiSoftware - E:\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite 2005\RpcSandraSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: TivoBeacon2 - TiVo Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Beacon\TiVoBeacon.exe
O23 - Service: UserAccess7 - Sony DADC Austria AG. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAService7.exe

----------------

Command Line Process Viewer/Killer/Suspender for Windows NT/2000/XP V2.03
Copyright© 2002-2003 [email protected]
Suspending PID 164 'smss.exe'
Threads [168][172][176]

Command Line Process Viewer/Killer/Suspender for Windows NT/2000/XP V2.03
Copyright© 2002-2003 [email protected]
Killing PID 772 'explorer.exe'

Command Line Process Viewer/Killer/Suspender for Windows NT/2000/XP V2.03
Copyright© 2002-2003 [email protected]
Error, Cannot find a process with an image name of rundll32.exe

Command Line Process Viewer/Killer/Suspender for Windows NT/2000/XP V2.03
Copyright© 2002-2003 [email protected]
Killing PID 240 'winlogon.exe'
File Deleted sucessfully.
Files Deleted sucessfully.


-----------

ActiveScan detected nothing at all after a complete system scan!

Once again, thank you so much.
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#4
g2i2r4

g2i2r4

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Wow, building your own house! That's a whole lot of work. I won't keep you busy to much then :tazz:

You suffered a virtumonde infection. I must admit I don't know how you got it, I do know you removed it now.

Is the computer running ok?
If so, shall I post you some tips for the future and close this topic?
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#5
punkitup

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Yes, building and subcontracting the house is a lot of work, I have the advantage of being a Journeyman Carpenter but building houses is not my usual job. Should be worth it though, in the deeply wooded hills (1150-feet) an hour outside Boston, I am off to work on it now.

Now on to the topic and your question.
The pop-ups seem to be gone. I am still getting intermittent experience of another symptom that I had chocked up to the same culprit, but I may have been wrong. Intermittently I am getting complete lockups of Windows, the computer will except no keyboard or mouse input, everything will stop even the flashing typing cursor if you happen to be in a word document or such. If the computer happened to be in standby mode when the event occurred then movement of the mouse or keyboard will not bring it to life. And if you were using the computer when it happened ctrl+alt-delete will not work to get into the task manager.

I know this could be a total unrelated occurrence from any virus or malware, but since you were asking I figured I had better mention it.

Thanks once again for your help, you are performing a kind service for people here!
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#6
g2i2r4

g2i2r4

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Computer freezing up, let's see what we can find. There are a number of options. I'll post all of them.

Download, update and run AdAware SE 1.06
Remove what it finds.

Download, update and run Spybot S&D 1.04
Remove what it finds.

***

You already cleaned up the computer (Cleanup!). You can run scandisk and then defragment the disk.
Check to see if after that the issue is gone.

***

Please do an online virus scan with Panda ActiveScan Here. You need to use Internet Explorer for this scan.
  • Once you get to the Panda site, scroll down a bit and click on Scan your PC
  • A new window will appear; click on Check Now!
  • A new window will appear; fill in the boxes (Country, State, email addy)
  • Click on Scan Now! >
    If you have never used ActiveScan before, you will be prompted to install an ActiveX control (asinst.cab) : click on Install. Panda will install the component, and then install the latest signature files.
  • From "Select a device to scan...", choose "My Computer"
  • Allow the scan to run. It'll take a while.
  • When complete, click on "See Report", and then on "Save report"; save it to a convenient location.
  • I will need you to post that report in your next reply; simply open the text file, then copy/paste the content here.
***

Quite often when a computer slows or freezes up it is due to a heating problem. There are two fans in question. One is the power supply fan which is normally located at the top rear of the computer. You can check to see if it is working by feeling so see if there is any air coming out. It won't be a lot but some. The other is the fan over the microprocessor and that will require opening the computer case and visually checking to see if it is running.

If this happens pretty much the same length of time after you turn you computer on and if you turn it off when it freezes, leave it off for about thirty minutes then once again about the same lenght of time it freezes again then that pretty much says it is a heating problem.
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#7
punkitup

punkitup

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Thank you for your help, all scanning measures suggested are performed and cleaned, I haven’t had a reoccurrence of the freezing in over 24-hours so no real way to diagnosis it, I just wanted to make sure it was not a part of this previous problem, but I am going to guess it is a software conflict of some kind. I had a look round for cooling issues but everything seems fine, as I thought it would; I build my own computers and this one is well cooled with 4 case fans, a dual fan Enermax 470-watt PSU and the CPU cooling is performed by Zalman 7700-AlCu applied with Artic Silver 5.

I think you can put this topic to bed, a very fine job done with my thanks!
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#8
g2i2r4

g2i2r4

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Thanks for the feedback :)
Sound like a nice computer there (wanna swop with this one :tazz: ).

I'll post you some tips for the future and close the topic then.

-----------

Please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
  • Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows ME or XP then you should disable and re-enable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point.

    You can find instructions on how to enable and re-enable system restore here:

    Managing Windows Millenium System Restore

    or

    Windows XP System Restore Guide

    Re-enable system restore with the instructions from the tutorial above

  • Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
    • From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
    • Click once on the Security tab
    • Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
    • Click once on the Custom Level button.
      • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
      • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
      • Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
      • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
      • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
      • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
      • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
      • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
    • Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
  • Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.

    See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:

    Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources

  • Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

  • Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

    For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:

    Understanding and Using Firewalls

  • Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer always has the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.

  • Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & Hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with this program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers

  • Install Ad-Aware – Download and install Ad-Aware. You should also scan your computer with this program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from your Computer

  • Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware

  • Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

Glad I was able to help.
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