Jump to content

Welcome to Geeks to Go - Register now for FREE

Need help with your computer or device? Want to learn new tech skills? You're in the right place!
Geeks to Go is a friendly community of tech experts who can solve any problem you have. Just create a free account and post your question. Our volunteers will reply quickly and guide you through the steps. Don't let tech troubles stop you. Join Geeks to Go now and get the support you need!

How it Works Create Account
Photo

Winfixer, Winantiviris, etc. popup problem.... [RESOLVED]


  • This topic is locked This topic is locked

#1
ddig

ddig

    New Member

  • Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts
I've been getting winfixer popups (along with many other ones such as winanitvirus.com, vipfares.com, etc...) which I beleive being generated by the same peice of malware.

The winfixer popup appears, but I have never download or installed the product. When it tried to do a download, I unplugged my internet connection to make sure it couldn't do it.

below is my HijackThis log... I don't know where to begin...

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 4:17:41 PM, on 9/11/2005
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\csrss.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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\WRSSSDK.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Beacon\TiVoBeacon.exe
C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Gmail Notifier\G001-1.0.25.0\gnotify.exe
C:\Program Files\Virtual Account Numbers\CitiUCS.exe
C:\Program Files\Anonymizer\Anon2005\Anon2005.exe
C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSatellite.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Mixer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\anvshell.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Transfer\TivoTransfer.exe
C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\Scheduler daemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Anonymizer\Anon2005\AnonProxy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\David\Desktop\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SpywareBlock Class - {0A87E45F-537A-40B4-B812-E2544C21A09F} - C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\SCActiveBlock.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: MSEvents Object - {827DC836-DD9F-4A68-A602-5812EB50A834} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\rqrro.dll
O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: UCSBrowserHelper Class - {F1D49A84-8656-43ce-AE3D-AABC1A12243E} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\BhoUCS.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Anonymizer 2005 Toolbar - {DB264E15-F83B-4603-BFC1-4EA7E3204686} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [{0228e555-4f9c-4e35-a3ec-b109a192b4c2}] C:\Program Files\Google\Gmail Notifier\G001-1.0.25.0\gnotify.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CitiUCS] C:\Program Files\Virtual Account Numbers\CitiUCS.exe /dontopenmycards
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Anon2005] C:\Program Files\Anonymizer\Anon2005\Anon2005.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GhostSurfDelSatellite] "C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSatellite.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpyCatcher Reminder] "C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\SpyCatcher.exe" reminder
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe /Consumer
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [C-Media Mixer] Mixer.exe /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [anvshell] anvshell.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [GhostSurfDelSatellite] "C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSatellite.exe" nowait
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TivoTransfer] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Transfer\TivoTransfer.exe" /auto:TivoTransfer /registry /service
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TivoServer] "C:\Program Files\TiVo\Desktop\TiVoServer.exe" /registry /service
O4 - Startup: Scheduler.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\Scheduler daemon.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\npjpi142_04.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\npjpi142_04.dll
O9 - Extra button: UCS - {4C730923-3961-439b-83D5-F4E445520422} - C:\Program Files\Virtual Account Numbers\CitiUCS.exe
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
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: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} - http://software-dl.r...ip/RdxIE601.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.micros...b?1126242621854
O20 - Winlogon Notify: rqrro - C:\WINDOWS\system32\rqrro.dll
O23 - Service: Macromedia Licensing Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macromedia Shared\Service\Macromedia Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: %NVSVC.name% (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.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: Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine (svcWRSSSDK) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\WRSSSDK.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service (SymWSC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
O23 - Service: TiVo Beacon (TivoBeacon2) - TiVo Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Beacon\TiVoBeacon.exe
O23 - Service: Tenebril antispyware satellite (TNBRLDS) - Tenebril Inc. - C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSvc.exe


Thanks for any help! :tazz:
  • 0

Advertisements


#2
Kat

Kat

    Retired

  • Retired Staff
  • 19,711 posts
  • MVP
Hello and welcome to GeeksToGo! My name is Kat, and I will be helping you get your computer fixed back up and on the go! You should either print these instructions, or save them to a Notepad file on your desktop. Part of the fix may require you to be in Safe Mode, and you will be unable to access the internet at that time!

You DO have the Winfixer (Vundo) VIrus on your system. Unfortunately, by the time you see the warnings, it is usually too late. :tazz: However, we can get you fixed back up fairly easily! :)

Important note: You MUST be logged into the computer in an Administrator account for this fix to work!


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\rqrro.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\orrqr.*
  • 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 - {827DC836-DD9F-4A68-A602-5812EB50A834} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\rqrro.dll
    O20 - Winlogon Notify: rqrro - C:\WINDOWS\system32\rqrro.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!

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.
  • 0

#3
ddig

ddig

    New Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts
Kat,

Below are the logs you've requested. Also, when I was following the directions you gave me, I ran into the following discrepancies:

1) This file was not found when I ran Vundofix C:\WINDOWS\system32\orrqr.*

2) This entry was not found in HijackThis: O2 - BHO: MSEvents Object - {827DC836-DD9F-4A68-A602-5812EB50A834} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\rqrro.dll
(however, I may have manually deleted it earlier)

I hope this worked. Thanks for your help... the winfixer popup has been anoying to say the least.



==========================================
Active Scan Log:


Incident Status Location

Virus:Trj/Pakes.AV Disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\David\Application Data\Tenebril\GhostSurf\3.0\Spyware history\Restore\bdae2564f8804f94d80885a63e98f51b
Virus:Trj/Pakes.AV Disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\David\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050911-164616-603.dll
Virus:Trj/Pakes.AV Disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\David\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050911-164644-371.dll
Virus:Trj/Pakes.AV Disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\David\Desktop\hijackthis\backups\backup-20050911-165900-681.dll
Virus:Trj/ShellHook.E Disinfected C:\WINDOWS\system32\urqpn.dll
============================================


HijackThis Log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:16:14 PM, on 9/11/2005
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\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\WRSSSDK.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Beacon\TiVoBeacon.exe
C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Gmail Notifier\G001-1.0.25.0\gnotify.exe
C:\Program Files\Virtual Account Numbers\CitiUCS.exe
C:\Program Files\Anonymizer\Anon2005\Anon2005.exe
C:\WINDOWS\anvshell.exe
C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSatellite.exe
C:\Program Files\Anonymizer\Anon2005\AnonProxy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Transfer\TivoTransfer.exe
C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\Scheduler daemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\David\Desktop\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SpywareBlock Class - {0A87E45F-537A-40B4-B812-E2544C21A09F} - C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\SCActiveBlock.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: UCSBrowserHelper Class - {F1D49A84-8656-43ce-AE3D-AABC1A12243E} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\BhoUCS.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {DB264E15-F83B-4603-BFC1-4EA7E3204686} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NAV Agent] C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\navapw32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [{0228e555-4f9c-4e35-a3ec-b109a192b4c2}] C:\Program Files\Google\Gmail Notifier\G001-1.0.25.0\gnotify.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CitiUCS] C:\Program Files\Virtual Account Numbers\CitiUCS.exe /dontopenmycards
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Anon2005] C:\Program Files\Anonymizer\Anon2005\Anon2005.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe /Consumer
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [anvshell] anvshell.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpyCatcher Reminder] "C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\SpyCatcher.exe" reminder
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GhostSurfDelSatellite] "C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSatellite.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [GhostSurfDelSatellite] "C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSatellite.exe" nowait
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TivoTransfer] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Transfer\TivoTransfer.exe" /auto:TivoTransfer /registry /service
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TivoServer] "C:\Program Files\TiVo\Desktop\TiVoServer.exe" /registry /service
O4 - Startup: Protector.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\Protector.exe
O4 - Startup: Scheduler.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\Scheduler daemon.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\npjpi142_04.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_04\bin\npjpi142_04.dll
O9 - Extra button: UCS - {4C730923-3961-439b-83D5-F4E445520422} - C:\Program Files\Virtual Account Numbers\CitiUCS.exe
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: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.micros...b?1126242621854
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoft...free/asinst.cab
O23 - Service: %NVSVC.name% (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.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: Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine (svcWRSSSDK) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\WRSSSDK.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service (SymWSC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
O23 - Service: TiVo Beacon (TivoBeacon2) - TiVo Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\TiVo Shared\Beacon\TiVoBeacon.exe
O23 - Service: Tenebril antispyware satellite (TNBRLDS) - Tenebril Inc. - C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher\DeleteSvc.exe

===============================================

Vundo fix log:


Command Line Process Viewer/Killer/Suspender for Windows NT/2000/XP V2.03
Copyright© 2002-2003 [email protected]
Suspending PID 152 'smss.exe'
Threads [156][160][164]

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 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 224 'winlogon.exe'
File Deleted sucessfully.
Files Deleted sucessfully.

===============================================
  • 0

#4
Kat

Kat

    Retired

  • Retired Staff
  • 19,711 posts
  • MVP
Excellent work! :tazz: The Vundo is gone. The rest of your log is clean. How is everything running now?
  • 0

#5
ddig

ddig

    New Member

  • Topic Starter
  • Member
  • Pip
  • 3 posts
I haven't seen a pop-up yet... so I guess things are working great :)

Thanks a bunch for the help.... I really appreciate it!
You guys are doing a great service here.... :tazz:
  • 0

#6
Kat

Kat

    Retired

  • Retired Staff
  • 19,711 posts
  • MVP
You are welcome! :) Thanks for the great compliments about the site! :)


Congratulations! Your log is now clean! :tazz:

Here are some items that you will want to add to your to-do list:

These are some tips to reduce the potential for Spyware/Adware/Virus infection in the future:
I would strongly recommend reviewing and installing the following applications if you dont currently have them running on your system:

Use Anti-Virus Software
It is very important that your computer has Anti-Virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
See this link for a listing of some online and stand-alone Anti-Virus programs:
Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources

Update your AntiVirus Software
It is imperitive that you update your Anti-Virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your Anti-Virus 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. 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

Spyware/Adware Detection and Removal Programs:
Understanding Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and DialersAd-Aware SEIf you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to setup and use Ad-Aware SE
How to use Ad-Aware SE to remove Spyware
[/list]Spybot S&DIf you suspect that you have spyware installed on your computer, here are instructions on how to setup and use Spybot S&D
How to use Spybot to remove Spyware
[/list]I strongly recommend using both of these programs to catch most spyware/adware

Prevention Programs:
  • SpywareBlaster -- SpywareBlaster will prevent spyware from being installed.
  • SpywareGuard -- SpywareGuard offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts.
  • IE/Spyad -- IE/Spyad places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
  • MVPS Hosts File -- The MVPS Hosts File replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer.
  • Google Toolbar -- Get the free Google Toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
Other Necessary Programs:
  • A More Secure Browser
    Internet Explorer is not the most secure and best browser.
    There are safer and better alternatives available. I recommend using Firefox
Be sure to also keep up with Windows and IE updates.

Windows Security and Critical Updates
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

Internet Explorer Security and Critical Updates
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp

And also see TonyKlein's good advice
So how did I get infected in the first place?

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.

  • 0

#7
Kat

Kat

    Retired

  • Retired Staff
  • 19,711 posts
  • MVP
Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help. :tazz:

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.
  • 0






Similar Topics

0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

As Featured On:

Microsoft Yahoo BBC MSN PC Magazine Washington Post HP