highly annoying popups: ringtones and others

[redlake]

hi,

can anyone help me with my infected PC? i have already tried various antispyware, antimalware etc. programs, but none of them could get me rid of these highly annoying popups. i have also executed hijackthis - here's my logfile:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 17:09:28, on 17.05.2005
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\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Programme\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Programme\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\Programme\Norton Internet Security\NISUM.EXE
C:\Programme\M-Audio Ozone\Install\Ozinst.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Programme\Norton Internet Security\ccPxySvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\carpserv.exe
C:\Programme\Apoint\Apoint.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ezSP_Px.exe
C:\Programme\Sony\HotKey Utility\HKserv.exe
C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Programme\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\GENIUS~1\GNETMOUS.EXE
C:\Programme\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Programme\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
C:\Programme\Siemens\Gigaset WLAN Adapter\wlm.exe
C:\Programme\M-Audio Ozone\OZTask.exe
C:\Programme\Apoint\Apntex.exe
C:\Programme\Sony\HotKey Utility\HKWnd.exe
C:\Programme\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Programme\Opera\Opera.exe
C:\Programme\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Matthias Rothensee\Eigene Dateien\Eigene Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.web.de/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.club-vaio.sony-europe.com/
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CARPService] carpserv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Programme\Apoint\Apoint.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ezShieldProtector for Px] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ezSP_Px.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HKSERV.EXE] C:\Programme\Sony\HotKey Utility\HKserv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccRegVfy] "C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccRegVfy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Programme\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus C42 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S10IC2.EXE /P23 "EPSON Stylus C42 Series" /O5 "LPT1:" /M "Stylus C42"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mouseElf] C:\PROGRA~1\GENIUS~1\GNETMOUS.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Programme\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CloneCDTray] "C:\Programme\SlySoft\CloneCD\CloneCDTray.exe" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [etbrun] C:\windows\system32\elitetbm32.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Programme\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Cisco Systems VPN Client.lnk = C:\Programme\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\vpngui.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Gigaset WLAN Adapter Monitor.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: M-Audio Ozone Control Panel Launcher.lnk = C:\Programme\M-Audio Ozone\OZTask.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Programme\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Konsole - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Programme\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.club-vaio.sony-europe.com/
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.sony-europe.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.sonystyle-europe.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.vaio-link.com
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/msnmessengersetupdownloader.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = zedat.fu-berlin.de,fu-berlin.de
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = zedat.fu-berlin.de,fu-berlin.de
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: AntiVir Update (AVWUpSrv) - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH, Germany - C:\Programme\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation Service (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Proxy Service (ccPxySvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Norton Internet Security\ccPxySvc.exe
O23 - Service: Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN Service (CVPND) - Cisco Systems, Inc. - C:\Programme\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Programme\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect-Dienst (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Norton Internet Security Accounts Manager (NISUM) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Norton Internet Security\NISUM.EXE
O23 - Service: Ozone Installer (OzoneInstallerService) - Nemesis - C:\Programme\M-Audio Ozone\Install\Ozinst.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\GEMEIN~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\GEMEIN~1\SONYSH~1\AVLib\Sptisrv.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Music Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-AppServer) - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\SONY\vaio media music server\SSSvr.exe" /Service=VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-AppServer /DisplayName="VAIO Media Music Server (file missing)
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Music Server (HTTP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-HTTP) - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Sony Shared\vaio media platform\sv_httpd.exe" /Service=VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-HTTP /RegRoot="Software\Sony Corporation\VAIO Media Platform\2.0" /RegExt="Applications\MusicServer\HTTP (file missing)
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Music Server (UPnP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Sony Shared\vaio media platform\UPnPFramework.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Photo Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-PhotoServer-AppServer) - Sony Corporation - C:\Programme\sony\photo server\appsrv\PhotoAppSrv.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Photo Server (HTTP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-PhotoServer-HTTP) - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\sony shared\vaio media platform\SV_Httpd.exe" /Service=VAIOMediaPlatform-PhotoServer-HTTP /RegRoot="Software\Sony Corporation\VAIO Media Platform\2.0" /RegExt="\Applications\PhotoServer\HTTP (file missing)
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Photo Server (UPnP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-PhotoServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\sony shared\vaio media platform\UPnPFramework.exe



i'd really appreciate your help

matthias

[Buckeye_Sam]

Please download miekiemoes' LQfix batch here:
http://users.pandora.be/bluepatchy/LQfix.zip
Unzip it to the desktop but do NOT run it yet.

Reboot your computer into SAFE MODE (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial61.html)

Once in Safe Mode, please run LQfix.bat. When finished, restart your computer in normal mode and please post a new HijackThis log.

[redlake]

hi,

i've followed your instructions and let hijackthis create a new logfile:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 18:17:52, on 18.05.2005
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\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Programme\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Programme\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
C:\Programme\Norton Internet Security\NISUM.EXE
C:\Programme\M-Audio Ozone\Install\Ozinst.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\carpserv.exe
C:\Programme\Apoint\Apoint.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ezSP_Px.exe
C:\Programme\Sony\HotKey Utility\HKserv.exe
C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Programme\Norton Internet Security\ccPxySvc.exe
C:\Programme\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\GENIUS~1\GNETMOUS.EXE
C:\Programme\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Programme\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
C:\Programme\Siemens\Gigaset WLAN Adapter\wlm.exe
C:\Programme\M-Audio Ozone\OZTask.exe
C:\Programme\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Programme\Sony\HotKey Utility\HKWnd.exe
C:\Programme\Apoint\Apntex.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Dokumente und Einstellungen\Matthias Rothensee\Eigene Dateien\Eigene Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.web.de/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.club-vaio.sony-europe.com/
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CARPService] carpserv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Programme\Apoint\Apoint.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ezShieldProtector for Px] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ezSP_Px.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HKSERV.EXE] C:\Programme\Sony\HotKey Utility\HKserv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccRegVfy] "C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccRegVfy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIModeChange] Ati2mdxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Programme\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus C42 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S10IC2.EXE /P23 "EPSON Stylus C42 Series" /O5 "LPT1:" /M "Stylus C42"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mouseElf] C:\PROGRA~1\GENIUS~1\GNETMOUS.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Programme\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CloneCDTray] "C:\Programme\SlySoft\CloneCD\CloneCDTray.exe" /s
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Programme\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Cisco Systems VPN Client.lnk = C:\Programme\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\vpngui.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Gigaset WLAN Adapter Monitor.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: M-Audio Ozone Control Panel Launcher.lnk = C:\Programme\M-Audio Ozone\OZTask.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Programme\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Konsole - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Programme\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.club-vaio.sony-europe.com/
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.sony-europe.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.sonystyle-europe.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.vaio-link.com
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/msnmessengersetupdownloader.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = zedat.fu-berlin.de,fu-berlin.de
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: SearchList = zedat.fu-berlin.de,fu-berlin.de
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: AntiVir Update (AVWUpSrv) - H+BEDV Datentechnik GmbH, Germany - C:\Programme\AVPersonal\AVWUPSRV.EXE
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation Service (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Proxy Service (ccPxySvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Norton Internet Security\ccPxySvc.exe
O23 - Service: Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN Service (CVPND) - Cisco Systems, Inc. - C:\Programme\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Programme\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect-Dienst (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Norton Internet Security Accounts Manager (NISUM) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Norton Internet Security\NISUM.EXE
O23 - Service: Ozone Installer (OzoneInstallerService) - Nemesis - C:\Programme\M-Audio Ozone\Install\Ozinst.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\GEMEIN~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\GEMEIN~1\SONYSH~1\AVLib\Sptisrv.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Music Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-AppServer) - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\SONY\vaio media music server\SSSvr.exe" /Service=VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-AppServer /DisplayName="VAIO Media Music Server (file missing)
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Music Server (HTTP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-HTTP) - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Sony Shared\vaio media platform\sv_httpd.exe" /Service=VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-HTTP /RegRoot="Software\Sony Corporation\VAIO Media Platform\2.0" /RegExt="Applications\MusicServer\HTTP (file missing)
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Music Server (UPnP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-MusicServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Sony Shared\vaio media platform\UPnPFramework.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Photo Server (VAIOMediaPlatform-PhotoServer-AppServer) - Sony Corporation - C:\Programme\sony\photo server\appsrv\PhotoAppSrv.exe
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Photo Server (HTTP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-PhotoServer-HTTP) - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\sony shared\vaio media platform\SV_Httpd.exe" /Service=VAIOMediaPlatform-PhotoServer-HTTP /RegRoot="Software\Sony Corporation\VAIO Media Platform\2.0" /RegExt="\Applications\PhotoServer\HTTP (file missing)
O23 - Service: VAIO Media Photo Server (UPnP) (VAIOMediaPlatform-PhotoServer-UPnP) - Sony Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\sony shared\vaio media platform\UPnPFramework.exe





what do you think? is the problem fixed?

thank you

matthias

[Buckeye_Sam]

Your log looks clean to me.

Now that you are clean, 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 reenable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point left over from what we have just cleaned.

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

Managing Windows Millenium System Restore (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=63)

or

Windows XP System Restore Guide (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=56)

Renable system restore with instructions from 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 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 & their stand-alone antivirus programs:

Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=405)


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 (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=60)


Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always 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 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 (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=43)


Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. ou should also scan your computer with 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 (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=48)


Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added 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 (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=49)


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.