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Now that we've finished cleaning your computer, please follow these last sets of instructions and then you'll be ready to go.
»»» System Restore Points «««
This will clear any current system restore points that may contain malware, and set a fresh restore point.
- Open OTL
- Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following:
:Commands [clearallrestorepoints]
- Then click the Run Fix button at the top
- You may be asked to reboot - if so, choose Yes
»»» Cleanup «««
- Open OTL to run it. (Vista users, please right click on OTL and select "Run as administrator")
- Click on the CleanUp button
- Click Yes to begin the cleanup process and remove out tools, including this application
- You may be asked to reboot the machine to finish the cleanup process - if so, choose Yes
Clean Temporary Files
- Download TFC to your desktop
- Open the file and close any other windows
- It will close all programs itself when run - make sure to let it run uninterrupted
- Click the Start button to begin the process - the program should not take long to finish its job
- Once it is finished, it should reboot your machine, if not, do this yourself to ensure the cleaning process completes
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Below are links to several programs that will help protect your computer.
Firewalls
If you are using the Windows firewall or not using a firewall at all, I recommend downloading and installing one of the applications below.
Comodo Internet Security - an excellent firewall + antivirus - for Windows XP/Vista/7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Online Armor Firewall - includes a "Banking Mode" for online banking security - for Windows XP/Vista/7 (32-bit only)
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free - bi-directional firewall that cannot be shutdown by hackers - Windows 2000, Windows XP/Vista (32-bit / 64-bit)
You may also want to read Understanding and Using Firewalls.
Note that you should NEVER have more than one firewall running on your system, as firewalls can conflict with one another and can cause slow or total loss of your Internet connection.
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AntiVirus
If you are not using a good antivirus program, I recommend downloading and installing one of the following applications.
Avira AntiVir Personal Antivirus - reliable monitoring of user and system activity with antirootkit protection - Windows 2000, Windows XP/Vista (32-bit / 64-bit)
avast! - antivirus and anti-spyware with real-time rootkit protection - Windows 2000, Windows XP/Vista/7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
AVG Anti-Virus - includes LinkScanner® to insure safety from harmful web sites - Windows 2000, Windows XP/Vista/7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Note that you should NEVER have more than one antivirus running on your system, as antivirus applications can conflict with one another, possibly leaving you more susceptible to infection.
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Anti-Spyware
I recommend downloading and installing all of the following applications.
SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition - removes spyware threats that other applications fail to remove - Windows 2000, XP/Media Center/Vista/7 and Windows 2003 Server
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - an excellent and must-have tool for keeping your system free of malware - Windows 2000, Windows XP/Vista/7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Ad-Aware - comprehensive real-time malware protection and rootkit removal system - Windows 2000 Pro, Windows XP (32-bit only), Windows Vista/7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Microsoft Security Essentials - real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malware - Windows XP/Vista/7
a-squared Antivirus + Anti-malware - Malware Intrustion Detection System (IDS) uses behavioral blocking to stop zero-day malware - Windows XP/Vista/7 and Windows 2003/2008 Server (32-bit / 64-bit)
ThreatFire - protects against zero-day malware with real-time behavior-based protection against viruses and other malware - Windows XP/Vista/7 and Windows 2003 Server
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Other things to keep in mind.
Windows, Java, and Adobe products should all be kept up-to-date on a regular basis so the latest security fixes are in place on your computer. Please refer to the following links on how to manage these products.
Windows Update (2000/XP) or Windows Update (Vista/7)
Java
Adobe Reader
Adobe Flash Player
Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI) - an alternative to the above, Secunia PSI is a FREE security tool designed with the sole purpose of helping you secure your computer against vulnerabilities in programs (includes direct download links for most software updates) - Windows 2000, Windows XP/Vista/7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Here are a few other applications you might consider. Keeping your temporary file area clean, your Windows registry backed up, and backing up your important data are all good techniques.
TFC - easily clean out all temp folders on your system - Windows XP/Vista/7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Flush Flash - by Bobbi Flekman - cleans Flash Player cookies - Windows
ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) - a registry backup and restore utility - Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Windows 2000/2003 Server (32-bit/64-bit) - check here for use with Vista/7
F-Backup - a powerful, yet easy to use backup system - Windows XP/Vista/7 and Windows 2000/2003/2008 Server (32-bit / 64-bit)
MSVP Hosts File - block unwanted web sites with this alternate hosts file - All flavors of Windows
McAfee SiteAdvisor - securely surf the web with web site safety ratings (includes integration with your search engine results) - Windows XP/Vista and Internet Explorer 6 (or above) or Firefox 2 (or above)
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Please remember that just having these programs is not enough. You must use them. Running a full spyware scan weekly, a full virus scan monthly, and checking for updates and cleaning your temporary files periodically is very important in keeping your computer in tip-top shape.
Finally, please take the time to read the following articles. Applying this information will help prevent future infections:
How to prevent malware by miekiemoes
Preventing Malware and Safe Computing by Rorschach112
This article will help you understand how you may have gotten infected:
How did I get infected in the first place? by Tony Klein and Kat Armstrong
Remember, you have to be smarter than the bad guys! Be safe out there!
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