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Answer» Today I opened up my laptop to see an error message. There is a box in the corner that shows up and goes away that says "windows security alert - application cannot be executed. The file ( wuauclt.exe, or logonui.exe ) is infected. Do you want to activate your antivirus software now?" Then in the middle of the screen a box saying the same thing shows up with only a yes or no choice. I can't open up my task manager to CLOSE the process. I booted up in safe mode and ran my spy sweeper but it didn't find anything. I am running my windows defender right now hoping something comes up. Any help would be great!Please visit this webpage for instructions for downloading and running ComboFix:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix
Post the LOG from ComboFix when you've accomplished that.I ran windows defender before I got your post and it had me delete some kind of trojan, just to let you know!
ComboFix 10-01-29.05 - Owner 01/29/2010 20:33:03.1.2 - x86 Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium 6.0.6001.1.1252.1.1033.18.1917.1218 [GMT -7:00] Running from: c:\users\Owner\Desktop\ComboFix.exe AV: McAfee VirusScan *On-access scanning enabled* (Outdated) {84B5EE75-6421-4CDE-A33A-DD43BA9FAD83} FW: McAfee Personal Firewall *enabled* {94894B63-8C7F-4050-BDA4-813CA00DA3E8} SP: McAfee VirusScan *enabled* (Updated) {C78B3C70-4777-4742-BB91-9D615CC575E6} SP: Spy Sweeper *disabled* (Updated) {68A41C74-A1E9-48F8-B2E5-D8232211AB6D} SP: Windows Defender *enabled* (Updated) {D68DDC3A-831F-4FAE-9E44-DA132C1ACF46} .
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Other Deletions ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) .
c:\$recycle.bin\S-1-5-21-1893239248-1700074592-3436296051-500 c:\$recycle.bin\S-1-5-21-2152478756-3922319563-605102323-500 c:\$recycle.bin\S-1-5-21-3025726274-3580096784-3175576736-500 c:\$recycle.bin\S-1-5-21-526720123-3731369257-2385391353-500 c:\programdata\ntuser.dat{0a1e0be4-0416-11dc-9bb7-0016d4f84854}.TMContainer00000000000000000001.regtrans-ms c:\programdata\ntuser.dat{0a1e0bf4-0416-11dc-9bb7-0016d4f84854}.TMContainer00000000000000000001.regtrans-ms c:\users\Owner\AppData\Local\jkodfg c:\users\Owner\AppData\Local\jkodfg\jkmgsysguard.exe c:\windows\system32\Thumbs.db
. ((((((((((((((((((((((((( Files Created from 2009-12-28 to 2010-01-30 ))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) .
2010-01-30 03:54 . 2010-01-30 03:55--------d-----w-c:\users\Owner\AppData\Local\temp 2010-01-30 03:54 . 2010-01-30 03:54--------d-----w-c:\users\Default\AppData\Local\temp 2010-01-30 00:21 . 2010-01-30 03:271356----a-w-c:\users\Owner\AppData\Local\d3d9caps.dat 2010-01-22 15:53 . 2009-12-18 13:05833024----a-w-c:\windows\system32\wininet.dll 2010-01-22 15:52 . 2009-12-18 10:1426624----a-w-c:\windows\system32\ieUnatt.exe 2010-01-22 15:52 . 2009-12-18 13:0178336----a-w-c:\windows\system32\ieencode.dll 2010-01-13 00:53 . 2009-10-19 14:27156672----a-w-c:\windows\system32\t2embed.dll 2010-01-13 00:53 . 2009-10-19 14:2472704----a-w-c:\windows\system32\fontsub.dll 2010-01-04 22:50 . 2010-01-04 22:50484976----a-w-c:\programdata\Google\Google Toolbar\Update\gtb7DAF.tmp.exe
. (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Find3M Report )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) . 2010-01-16 10:05 . 2006-11-02 11:18--------d-----w-c:\program files\Windows Mail 2010-01-14 18:12 . 2009-10-03 15:18181120------w-c:\windows\system32\MpSigStub.exe 2010-01-08 01:16 . 2009-11-28 05:47439816----a-w-c:\users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Real\Update\setup3.09\setup.exe 2009-12-26 17:00 . 2009-12-26 17:00690952----a-w-c:\programdata\Microsoft\eHome\Packages\MCESpotlight\MCESpotlight\SpotlightResources.dll 2009-11-05 10:26 . 2007-09-17 23:0899248----a-w-c:\users\Owner\AppData\Local\GDIPFONTCACHEV1.DAT .
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Reg Loading Points )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) . . *Note* empty entries & legit default entries are not shown REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "Sidebar"="c:\program files\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe" [2008-01-19 1233920] "RunSpySweeperScheduleAtStartup"="c:\windows\system32\msfeedssync.exe" [2008-01-19 12800] "swg"="c:\program files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe" [2009-01-14 39408] "ehTray.exe"="c:\windows\ehome\ehTray.exe" [2008-01-19 125952] "msnmsgr"="c:\program files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" [2009-02-07 3885408]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] "HWSetup"="\HWSetup.exe hwSetUP" [X] "StartCCC"="c:\program files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" [2006-11-10 90112] "Camera Assistant Software"="c:\program files\Camera Assistant Software for Toshiba\traybar.exe" [2007-04-10 413696] "Apoint"="c:\program files\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe" [2006-09-11 180224] "Windows Defender"="c:\program files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" [2008-01-19 1008184] "SVPWUTIL"="c:\program files\TOSHIBA\Utilities\SVPWUTIL.exe" [2006-03-23 438272] "TPwrMain"="c:\program files\TOSHIBA\Power Saver\TPwrMain.EXE" [2007-03-29 411192] "HSON"="c:\program files\TOSHIBA\TBS\HSON.exe" [2006-12-07 55416] "SmoothView"="c:\program files\Toshiba\SmoothView\SmoothView.exe" [2007-03-22 448632] "00TCrdMain"="c:\program files\TOSHIBA\FlashCards\TCrdMain.exe" [2007-04-27 538744] "KeNotify"="c:\program files\TOSHIBA\Utilities\KeNotify.exe" [2006-11-07 34352] "Adobe Reader Speed Launcher"="c:\program files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe" [2008-01-12 39792] "SpySweeper"="c:\program files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeperUI.exe" [2007-07-20 5361464] "QuickTime Task"="c:\program files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" [2008-09-06 413696] "AppleSyncNotifier"="c:\program files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleSyncNotifier.exe" [2008-09-04 111936] "iTunesHelper"="c:\program files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe" [2008-09-11 289576] "Windows Mobile-based device management"="c:\windows\WindowsMobile\wmdSync.exe" [2006-11-02 215552] "TkBellExe"="c:\program files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" [2009-01-28 185872] "SynTPEnh"="c:\program files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe" [2009-03-20 1451304]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\policies\system] "EnableUIADesktopToggle"= 0 (0x0)
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\drivers32] "aux"=wdmaud.drv
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\WebrootSpySweeperService] @="Service"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SafeBoot\Minimal\WinDefend] @="Service"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\security center\Monitoring\McAfeeAntiSpyware] "DisableMonitoring"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\security center\Monitoring\McAfeeAntiVirus] "DisableMonitoring"=dword:00000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\security center\Monitoring\McAfeeFirewall] "DisableMonitoring"=dword:00000001
R0 SSFS0BB8;Spy Sweeper File System Filer Driver: 0BB8;c:\windows\System32\drivers\SSFS0BB8.sys [9/17/2007 4:47 PM 20280]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows nt\currentversion\svchost] WindowsMobileREG_MULTI_SZ wcescomm rapimgr LocalServiceRestrictedREG_MULTI_SZ WcesComm RapiMgr . Contents of the 'Scheduled Tasks' folder
2010-01-29 c:\windows\Tasks\User_Feed_Synchronization-{FBE6505F-01AD-400C-AF18-2E2CDE0C0481}.job - c:\windows\system32\msfeedssync.exe [2008-06-08 07:33] . . ------- Supplementary Scan ------- . uStart Page = hxxp://www.google.com/ IE: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - c:\progra~1\MICROS~3\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000 Trusted Zone: real.com\rhap-app-4-0 Trusted Zone: real.com\rhapreg FF - ProfilePath - c:\users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\c56rv4xy.default\ FF - prefs.js: browser.startup.homepage - hxxp://www.google.com/ FF - plugin: c:\program files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npjava11.dll FF - plugin: c:\program files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npjava12.dll FF - plugin: c:\program files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npjava13.dll FF - plugin: c:\program files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npjava14.dll FF - plugin: c:\program files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npjava32.dll FF - plugin: c:\program files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npjpi160.dll FF - plugin: c:\program files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\npoji610.dll FF - plugin: c:\users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Move Networks\plugins\npqmp071500000347.dll FF - plugin: c:\users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Move Networks\plugins\npqmp071503000010.dll FF - HiddenExtension: Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant: {20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b} - c:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.5\Windows Presentation Foundation\DotNetAssistantExtension\ . - - - - ORPHANS REMOVED - - - -
HKCU-Run-TOSCDSPD - TOSCDSPD.EXE HKCU-Run-wmxloyby - c:\users\Owner\AppData\Local\jkodfg\jkmgsysguard.exe HKLM-Run-Lexmark 2200 Series - c:\program files\Lexmark 2200 Series\lxbvbmgr.exe AddRemove-unInsttygtr - c:\program files\Alfred Interactive\DeIsL1.isu
**************************************************************************
catchme 0.3.1398 W2K/XP/Vista - rootkit/stealth malware detector by Gmer, http://www.gmer.net Rootkit scan 2010-01-29 21:03 Windows 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 NTFS
scanning hidden processes ...
scanning hidden autostart entries ...
scanning hidden files ...
scan completed successfully hidden files: 0
************************************************************************** . --------------------- LOCKED REGISTRY KEYS ---------------------
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.aif\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.aifc\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.aiff\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.au\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.flac\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.m3u\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.mid\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.midi\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.mp3\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.ogg\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pcm\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pls\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.snd\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.spx\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.wav\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_USERS\.Default\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.wma\UserChoice] @Denied: (2) (LocalSystem) "Progid"="YMP.Media"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0000\AllUserSettings] @Denied: (A) (Users) @Denied: (A) (Everyone) @Allowed: (B 1 2 3 4 5) (S-1-5-20) "BlindDial"=dword:00000000 "MSCurrentCountry"=dword:000000b5
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0001\AllUserSettings] @Denied: (A) (Users) @Denied: (A) (Everyone) @Allowed: (B 1 2 3 4 5) (S-1-5-20) "BlindDial"=dword:00000000
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96D-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\0002\AllUserSettings] @Denied: (A) (Users) @Denied: (A) (Everyone) @Allowed: (B 1 2 3 4 5) (S-1-5-20) "BlindDial"=dword:00000000 . Completion time: 2010-01-29 21:05:12 ComboFix-quarantined-files.txt 2010-01-30 04:04
Pre-Run: 133,474,402,304 bytes free Post-Run: 134,151,962,624 bytes free
- - End Of File - - CC3481096D01349B349B724CA40B2A08 Hi again. Please do these steps in order.
1. Please download TFC by OldTimer to your desktop
- Please double-click TFC.exe to run it. (Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator).
- It will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin.
- Click the Start
button to begin the process. Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. Let it run uninterrupted to completion.
- Once it's finished it should reboot your machine. If it does not, please manually reboot the machine yourself to ensure a complete clean.
2. Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from Malwarebytes.org. Alternate link: BleepingComputer.com. (Note: if you already have the program installed, just follow the directions. No need to re-download or re-install!)
Double Click mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
(Note: if you already have the program installed, open Malwarebytes from the Start Menu or Desktop shortcut, click the Update tab, and click Check for Updates, before doing the scan as instructed below!)
- Make sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
- If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
- Once the program has loaded, select "Perform Full Scan", then click Scan.
- The scan may take some time to finish,so please be patient.
- When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
- Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
- When disinfection is completed, a log will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to Restart. (See Extra Note)
- Please save the log to a location you will remember.
- The log is automatically saved by MBAM and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.
- Copy and paste the entire report in your next reply.
Extra Note:
If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove,you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts,click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately.
3. Please visit this webpage for instructions for downloading and running SUPERAntiSpyware (SAS) to scan and remove malware from your computer:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/how-to-use-superantispyware-tutorial
Post the log from SUPERAntiSpyware when you've accomplished that.
4. Please run a free online scan with the ESET Online Scanner- Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use
- Click Start
- When asked, allow the ActiveX control to install
- Click Start
- Make sure that the options Remove found threats and the option Scan unwanted applications is checked
- Click Scan (This scan can take several hours, so please be patient)
- Once the scan is completed, you may close the window
- Use Notepad to open the logfile located at C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt
- Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic
5. Post the following in your next reply: And, please tell me how your computer is doing.My computer seems to be doing great. The only log I am not including is the ESET b/c it never showed me one and said it found no threats. I guess one of the programs worked. For the future, which one of these programs should I keep? Which ones should I delete now that the virus is gone? Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44 Database version: 3662 Windows 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Internet Explorer 7.0.6001.18000
1/30/2010 2:20:12 PM mbam-log-2010-01-30 (14-20-12).txt
Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|) Objects scanned: 238944 Time elapsed: 1 hour(s), 46 minute(s), 30 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 0 Memory Modules Infected: 0 Registry Keys Infected: 0 Registry Values Infected: 0 Registry Data Items Infected: 0 Folders Infected: 0 Files Infected: 0
Memory Processes Infected: (No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Infected: (No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected: (No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Infected: (No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected: (No malicious items detected)
Folders Infected: (No malicious items detected)
Files Infected: (No malicious items detected)
and....
SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log http://www.superantispyware.com
Generated 01/30/2010 at 03:24 PM
Application Version : 4.33.1000
Core Rules Database Version : 4541 Trace Rules Database Version: 2353
Scan type : Complete Scan Total Scan Time : 00:57:57
Memory items scanned : 659 Memory threats detected : 0 Registry items scanned : 6732 Registry threats detected : 0 File items scanned : 32399 File threats detected : 1
Adware.Tracking Cookie C:\Users\Owner\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\[emailprotected][1].txt To manually create a new RESTORE Point- Go to Control Panel and select System and Maintenance
- Select System
- On the left select Advance System Settings and accept the warning if you get one
- Select System Protection Tab
- Select Create at the bottom
- Type in a name i.e. Clean
- Select Create
Now we can purge the infected ones
- Go back to the System and Maintenance page
- Select Performance Information and Tools
- On the left select Open Disk Cleanup
- Select Files from all users and accept the warning if you get one
- In the drop down box select your main drive i.e. C
- For a few moments the system will make some calculations
- Select the More Options tab
- In the System Restore and Shadow Backups select Clean up
- Select Delete on the pop up
- Select OK
- Select Delete
You are now done
To remove all of the tools we used and the files and folders they created, please do the following: Please download OTC.exe by OldTimer:
- Save it to your Desktop.
- Double click OTC.exe.
- Click the CleanUp! button.
- If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
- The tool will delete itself once it finishes.
Note: If any tool, file or folder (belonging to the program we have used) hasn't been deleted, please delete it manually.
==
Please download TFC by OldTimer to your desktop
- Please double-click TFC.exe to run it. (Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator).
- It will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin.
- Click the Start
button to begin the process. Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two. Let it run uninterrupted to completion.
- Once it's finished it should reboot your machine. If it does not, please manually reboot the machine yourself to ensure a complete clean.
==
Download Security Check by screen317 from SpywareInfoforum.org or Changelog.fr.- Save it to your Desktop.
- Double click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
- A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; please post the contents of that document.
Here are the results
Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.1 Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (UAC is enabled) Out of date service pack!! `````````````````````````````` Antivirus/Firewall Check: Windows Firewall Enabled! Antivirus out of date! `````````````````````````````` Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check: Spy Sweeper SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6 Adobe Flash Player 10 Adobe Reader 8.1.2 Out of date Adobe Reader installed! `````````````````````````````` Process Check: objlist.exe by Laurent Windows Defender MSASCui.exe `````````````````````````````` DNS Vulnerability Check: GREAT! (Not vulnerable to DNS cache poisoning)
`````````End of Log``````````` Please consider updating to Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2). Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) contains all the updates released since SP1 plus support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards. It is now available via Windows Update or as a standalone installation here.
==
Please download the newest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe.com
Before installing: it is important to remove older versions of Acrobat Reader since it does not do so automatically and old versions still leave you vulnerable. Go to the Control Panel and enter Add or Remove Programs. Search in the list for all previous installed versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Uninstall/Remove each of them.
Once old versions are gone, please install the newest version.
==
Please read the following information that I have provided, which will help you prevent malicious software in the future. Please keep in mind, malware is a continuous danger on the Internet. It is highly important to stay safe while browsing, to prevent re-infection.
Software recommendations
Antivirus/Antispyware- Microsoft Security Essentials: this is Microsoft's free antivirus/antispyware program. It equips you with protection against viruses, spyware, trojans, rootkits, and worms. It is also light on the computer's performance. Note: when installing this, you have both an antivirus and antispyware. Make sure you also get a firewall.
- AVG Free: this is one of the most powerful, and easiest to use security software. The free version equips you with protection against viruses, spyware, trojans, rootkits, worms, and rogue software. Note: when installing this, you have both an antivirus and antispyware. Make sure you also get a firewall.
Firewall- Tallemu Online Armor: the free version is just as good as the premium. I have linked you to the free version.
- Comodo Firewall: the free version is just as good as the premium. I have linked you to the free version. The optional security suite enhances the firewall by 40% increase. If you would like to install the suite that includes antivirus, then remove your old antivirus first.
- PC Tools Firewall Plus: free and excellent firewall.
Note: Please keep ALL of these programs up-to-date and run them whenever you suspect a problem to prevent malware problems.
Resident Protection help A number of programs have resident protection and it is a good idea to run the resident protection of one of each type of program to maintain protection. However, it is important to run only one resident program of each type since they can conflict and become less effective. That means only one antivirus, firewall, and scanning anti-spyware program at a time. Passive protectors such as SpywareBlaster can be run with any of them.
Rogue programs help There are a lot of rogue programs out there that want to scare you into giving them your money and some malware actually claims to be security programs. If you get a popup for a security program that you did not install yourself, do NOT click on it and ask for help immediately. It is very important to run an antivirus and firewall, but you can't always rely on reviews and ads for information. Ask in a security forum that you trust if you are not sure. If you are unsure and looking for anti-spyware programs, you can find out if it is a rogue here: http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Securing your computer- Windows Updates - It is very important to make sure that both Internet Explorer and Windows are kept current with the latest critical security patches from Microsoft. To do this just start Internet Explorer and select Tools > Windows Update, and follow the online instructions from there.
- hpHosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. This prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1, which is your local computer's loopback address, meaning it will be difficult to infect your computer in the future.
Please consider using an alternate browser Mozilla's Firefox browser is a very good alternative. In addition to being generally more secure than Internet Explorer, it has a very good built-in popup blocker and add-ons, like NoScript, can make it even more secure. Opera is another good option.
If you are interested: See this page for more info about malware and prevention.Sounds good. Thanks for all the help, you're great!You're WELCOME. Hello, you comment has been removed. Please post a new topic in the Computer Virus and Spyware Removal forum if you need help.
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