Here's a Few...

Unknown
edited May 2005 in Spyware & Virus Removal
Hi @ all. I'm recently having some problems since I used IE for about 5 minutes, and got plagued with Spyware, and I think some adware too. I now have this thing in my systray

spywaremaybe5ct.jpg

It tells me about Spyware and stuff, and when i double click on it, it has an MSN banner, and XP stuff at the bottom. Don't know if it's some Windows thing, but I want to disable it because it's annyoing. It always comes up saying how to prevent spyware, trojans and with a "system warning"

So far I am using:
Ad-Aware
Spybot S&D
RegRun
Microsoft AntiSpyware
Cookiewall
BHO Demon 2.0

Browser:
Firefox 1.0.4.

Firewall:
ZoneAlarm

Some things i'm not sure about:
popuper.exe
shnlog.exe
msole32.exe
intmon.exe
intmonp.exe

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 18:08:49, on 18/05/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

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\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\msole32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\shnlog.exe
C:\WINDOWS\popuper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmonp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasDtServ.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\AnalogX\CookieWall\cookie.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Davies\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.startsearches.net/bar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.startsearches.net/
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFF} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpCAFC.tmp
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Startup: BHODemon 2.0.lnk = C:\Program Files\BHODemon 2\BHODemon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: DSLMON.lnk = C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
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: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/msgrchkr.cab31267.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://spaces.msn.com//PhotoUpload/MsnPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {665585FD-2068-4C5E-A6D3-53AC3270ECD4} (FileSharingCtrl Class) - http://appdirectory.messenger.msn.com/AppDirectory/P4Apps/FileSharing/en/filesharingctrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{092BADFC-3532-48C9-8B99-4638BCF08596}: NameServer = 80.225.252.50 80.225.252.58
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{092BADFC-3532-48C9-8B99-4638BCF08596}: NameServer = 80.225.252.50 80.225.252.58
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

Comments

  • SpywareShooterSpywareShooter 127.0.0.1
    edited May 2005
    Everything that you thought was bad is part of the trojan that you have. You will need to delete it through Safe Mode, which you can do now if you want. If not we'll get the easy stuff first then get that.

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.startsearches.net/bar.html
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.startsearches.net/
    O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFF} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpCAFC.tmp

    Fix those entries then find and delete this file:
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpCAFC.tmp

    Then reboot your computer and post a new log.
  • HandOfGod
    edited May 2005
    Did all that in safe mode. Searched for that file - coudln't find it. Also c/p'd it into Killbox but it didn't find.

    New log:-

    Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
    Scan saved at 20:22:34, on 18/05/2005
    Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

    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\LEXBCES.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\msole32.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\shnlog.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\popuper.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
    C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
    C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
    C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
    C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
    C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmonp.exe
    C:\Program Files\BHODemon 2\BHODemon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
    C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
    C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\Davies\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.startsearches.net/bar.html
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.startsearches.net/
    F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
    O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFF} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpC2A7.tmp
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
    O4 - Startup: BHODemon 2.0.lnk = C:\Program Files\BHODemon 2\BHODemon.exe
    O4 - Global Startup: DSLMON.lnk = C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
    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: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/msgrchkr.cab31267.cab
    O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://spaces.msn.com//PhotoUpload/MsnPUpld.cab
    O16 - DPF: {665585FD-2068-4C5E-A6D3-53AC3270ECD4} (FileSharingCtrl Class) - http://appdirectory.messenger.msn.com/AppDirectory/P4Apps/FileSharing/en/filesharingctrl.cab
    O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
    O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{092BADFC-3532-48C9-8B99-4638BCF08596}: NameServer = 80.225.252.50 80.225.252.58
    O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{092BADFC-3532-48C9-8B99-4638BCF08596}: NameServer = 80.225.252.50 80.225.252.58
    O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
    O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
    O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

    They keep coming back...
  • SpywareShooterSpywareShooter 127.0.0.1
    edited May 2005
    Boot into Safe Mode (press F8 at the BIOS screen when booting) and fix these entries:

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.startsearches.net/bar.html
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.startsearches.net/
    F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
    O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFF} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpC2A7.tmp

    Still in Safe Mode, find and delete these files:
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\msole32.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\shnlog.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\popuper.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\intmonp.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\hpC2A7.tmp

    Then reboot your computer and post a new log.
  • HandOfGod
    edited May 2005
    Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
    Scan saved at 09:09:54, on 19/05/2005
    Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

    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\LEXBCES.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\StartupMonitor.exe
    C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
    C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
    C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
    C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
    C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
    C:\Program Files\BHODemon 2\BHODemon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
    C:\Documents and Settings\Davies\Desktop\HijackThis.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe

    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Run StartupMonitor] StartupMonitor.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
    O4 - Startup: BHODemon 2.0.lnk = C:\Program Files\BHODemon 2\BHODemon.exe
    O4 - Global Startup: DSLMON.lnk = C:\Program Files\SAGEM\SAGEM F@st 800-840\dslmon.exe
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
    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: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/msgrchkr.cab31267.cab
    O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://spaces.msn.com//PhotoUpload/MsnPUpld.cab
    O16 - DPF: {665585FD-2068-4C5E-A6D3-53AC3270ECD4} (FileSharingCtrl Class) - http://appdirectory.messenger.msn.com/AppDirectory/P4Apps/FileSharing/en/filesharingctrl.cab
    O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
    O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{092BADFC-3532-48C9-8B99-4638BCF08596}: NameServer = 80.225.252.50 80.225.252.58
    O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{092BADFC-3532-48C9-8B99-4638BCF08596}: NameServer = 80.225.252.50 80.225.252.58
    O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
    O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
    O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
  • Buckeye_SamBuckeye_Sam Columbus, Ohio
    edited May 2005
    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:
    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.
This discussion has been closed.