Virus and Trojan

Unknown
edited May 2005 in Spyware & Virus Removal
I have a lot of problems. I've got a Trojan Horse Downloader.agent.11.q and when checking the forum the first thing to do is get Hijackthis. It cant open it since there is a dll file missing (MSVBVM60.DLL). I can't run CWShredder either (OLEACC.DLL is missing). I'm using win98 maybe that is the problem?

I also got programs I can't remove: Shopping Wizard and Search Extender.

I have Ad-Aware and AVG.

I am not very good at computers so please help me.

Comments

  • Buckeye_SamBuckeye_Sam Columbus, Ohio
    edited May 2005
    Download and install VB Runtime files.
    http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7b9ba261-7a9c-43e7-9117-f673077ffb3c&displaylang=en
  • KillRoy
    edited May 2005
    Thanks! I still can't run CWShredder but Hijackthis worked. Here is the logfile:

    Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
    Scan saved at 15:55:26, on 2005-05-13
    Platform: Windows 98 Gold (Win9x 4.10.1998)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

    Running processes:
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\LOADQM.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGCC.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGEMC.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGAMSVR.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MFCBP32.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
    C:\HJT\HIJACKTHIS_199\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = Länkar
    R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
    O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
    O2 - BHO: Class - {1416508C-2ABD-32EB-58B0-992A73145691} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSQM32.DLL
    O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
    O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRAM\YAHOO!\COMPANION\INSTALLS\CPN\YCOMP5_5_7_0.DLL
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StillImageMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGCC.EXE /STARTUP
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGEMC.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_AMSVR] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGAMSVR.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ICQ Lite] C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe -minimize
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IEXPLORE.EXE] C:\PROGRAM\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MFCBP32.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MFCBP32.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [V128IID] Rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\v128iitw.dll,STB_InitTweak
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [V128IITV] Rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\v128iitv.dll,STBTV_SwitchTo640x480
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
    O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [ICQ Lite] C:\PROGRAM\ICQLITE\ICQLITE.EXE -trayboot
    O9 - Extra button: ICQ 4.1 - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe
    O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/msnmessengersetupdownloader.cab
  • Buckeye_SamBuckeye_Sam Columbus, Ohio
    edited May 2005
    We're going to need to use CWShredder. Please visit Windows Update and download all critical updates found for your computer. Then let me know if CWShredder works for you or not.
  • KillRoy
    edited May 2005
    Hi again! After som puzzeling I finaly got CWShredder to work. What now?
  • Buckeye_SamBuckeye_Sam Columbus, Ohio
    edited May 2005
    It's been a few days, so please post a new hijackthis log. The filenames change a lot with this infection so we want to be sure to get a recent log.
  • KillRoy
    edited May 2005
    Buckeye_Sam,

    here is the logfile. Thanks again for your time.

    Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
    Scan saved at 10:27:30, on 2005-05-18
    Platform: Windows 98 Gold (Win9x 4.10.1998)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

    Running processes:
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\LOADQM.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGCC.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGEMC.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGAMSVR.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MFCBP32.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGW.EXE
    C:\HJT\HIJACKTHIS_199\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = Länkar
    R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
    O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
    O2 - BHO: Class - {1416508C-2ABD-32EB-58B0-992A73145691} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSQM32.DLL
    O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
    O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRAM\YAHOO!\COMPANION\INSTALLS\CPN\YCOMP5_5_7_0.DLL
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StillImageMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGCC.EXE /STARTUP
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGEMC.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_AMSVR] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGAMSVR.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ICQ Lite] C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe -minimize
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IEXPLORE.EXE] C:\PROGRAM\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MFCBP32.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MFCBP32.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [V128IID] Rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\v128iitw.dll,STB_InitTweak
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [V128IITV] Rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\v128iitv.dll,STBTV_SwitchTo640x480
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
    O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [ICQ Lite] C:\PROGRAM\ICQLITE\ICQLITE.EXE -trayboot
    O9 - Extra button: ICQ 4.1 - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe
    O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/msnmessengersetupdownloader.cab
  • Buckeye_SamBuckeye_Sam Columbus, Ohio
    edited May 2005
    You have an HSA infection. The filenames on this type of infection can change each time you reboot your computer or use Internet Explorer. With that in mind, some of these filenames may be different. But the pattern is the same and you may be able to determine the correct files to remove. The sooner you perform this fix, the higher it's chances for success.

    Much of this fix has to be performed in Safe Mode where you won't be able to access the Internet.
    Please print out these instructions.


    Step 1
    Download CWShredder but don't run it yet.


    Step 2
    Download AboutBuster
    Unzip it to your desktop but don't run it yet.


    Step 3
    Download Ad-aware SE 1.05
    Install the program and launch it. First, in the main window, look in the bottom right corner and click on Check for updates now and download the latest reference files. Exit Adaware for now.


    Step 5
    Make sure that you can VIEW ALL HIDDEN FILES.


    Step 6
    Run Hijackthis again, click scan, and Put a checkmark next to each of these. Then close all other windows--you should only see HijackThis on your Desktop--and click the Fix Checked button.

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = res://C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll/sp.html#93256
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = Länkar
    R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
    O2 - BHO: Class - {1416508C-2ABD-32EB-58B0-992A73145691} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSQM32.DLL
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IEXPLORE.EXE] C:\PROGRAM\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MFCBP32.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MFCBP32.EXE


    Step 7
    Reboot your computer into SAFE MODE


    Step 8
    Now run CWShredder, making sure to click "Fix".


    Step 9
    Then delete these files or directories (Do not be concerned if they do not exist)

    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MFCBP32.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\system\awvdz.dll
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSQM32.DLL



    Step 10
    Double click AboutBuster.exe that you downloaded earlier. Click OK, click Start, then click OK. This will scan your computer for the bad files and delete them. Save the report(copy and paste into notepad or wordpad and save as a .txt file) and post a copy back here when you are done with all the steps.


    Step 11
    Run a full scan with Adaware.


    Reboot your computer to go back to normal mode and post a new hijackthis log and the log from About Buster.
  • KillRoy
    edited May 2005
    Hi again,

    there was a problem with running Aboutbuster. I followed the other steps. CWShredder didn't find anything. Explorer is fixed but after scaning with AVG again I still got Trojan Horse Downloader.Agent 11.Q. It seems this fixed the HSA but is it tha Aboutbuster which fix the Trojan?

    Here is the log:

    Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
    Scan saved at 14:03:59, on 2005-05-19
    Platform: Windows 98 Gold (Win9x 4.10.1998)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

    Running processes:
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\LOADQM.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGCC.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGEMC.EXE
    C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGAMSVR.EXE
    C:\HJT\HIJACKTHIS_199\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
    O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
    O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
    O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRAM\YAHOO!\COMPANION\INSTALLS\CPN\YCOMP5_5_7_0.DLL
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StillImageMonitor] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\STIMON.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadQM] loadqm.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGCC.EXE /STARTUP
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGEMC.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_AMSVR] C:\PROGRAM\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGAMSVR.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ICQ Lite] C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe -minimize
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [V128IID] Rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\v128iitw.dll,STB_InitTweak
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [V128IITV] Rundll32.exe C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\v128iitv.dll,STBTV_SwitchTo640x480
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
    O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [ICQ Lite] C:\PROGRAM\ICQLITE\ICQLITE.EXE -trayboot
    O9 - Extra button: ICQ 4.1 - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Program\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe
    O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/msnmessengersetupdownloader.cab
  • Buckeye_SamBuckeye_Sam Columbus, Ohio
    edited May 2005
    About Buster will find and remove .dat files and any .exe or .dll files that were missed. It's not absolutely necessary for a successful fix, but it can help. Your log does look clean to me. Besides AVG picking up on the trojan, are you having any other problems?
  • KillRoy
    edited May 2005
    Nope, it workes fine. I ran AVG again and it looks clean. Great work :thumbsup: . Thanks for your time. I hope not to see you again :) .
  • Buckeye_SamBuckeye_Sam Columbus, Ohio
    edited May 2005
    Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
    1. 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

      or

      Windows XP System Restore Guide

      Renable system restore with instructions from tutorial above

    2. Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
      1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
      2. Click once on the Security tab
      3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
      4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
        1. Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
        2. Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
        3. Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
        4. Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
        5. Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
        6. Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
        7. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
        8. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
      5. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

    3. 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

    4. 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.

    5. 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

    6. 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.

    7. 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

    8. 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

    9. 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

    10. 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.
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