How do I know if everything is OK

stephenstephen Ireland
edited January 2007 in Spyware & Virus Removal
Hi, I am looking for some help, I am using Windows XP and running AVG free, Spybot S&D, Add-aware SE, Registry Mechanic and CC Cleaner. These are ran every week while AVG runs every Day on start-up. While all of these are doing there jobs, I am a little worried that they might be missing something, Mayby I am Paranoid, but is there something I can check to be sure everything is Ok. Other programmes? Am I running too many?

Thanks in advance if anyone can help.

Comments

  • chiazchiaz
    edited December 2006
    Your security arsenal is just fine. Add more and you may slow down your computer more than you can afford.

    Also regularly run a few online virus scans, and you should be all fine:
    http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm
    http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/
    http://usa.kaspersky.com/services/free-virus-scanner.php
  • stephenstephen Ireland
    edited January 2007
    Thanks for the reply chiawaikian, I realy needed the second opinion as I am still been bottle fed when it comes to the nitty gritty stuff. I will run one of these online scans and see how it goes. Thanks again for you time.
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited January 2007
    Stephen, you didn't mention anything about a Firewall. Are you using Windows Firewall, at the least?

    Sorry to jump into your thread, Chia!
  • stephenstephen Ireland
    edited January 2007
    Thanks for the reply Trogan.
    Funny you should spot that, I was looking at other treads yesterday and found very interesting info about firewalls. I did'nt even know there was such a thing. I know now that I was using windows firewall, But I have downloaded and installed Zone Alarm. It seems to be popular with other users. Should I leave Windows Firewall On or Off.

    Thanks again for your interest and your time
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited January 2007
    There should only be one active Firewall running, so Windows Firewall should be off. Same applies for Anti-Virus programs - there should only be one active.

    :)
  • chiazchiaz
    edited January 2007
    Trogan is absolutely right. Once ZoneAlarm is detected Windows Firewall should turn itself off by default. :csimon:
  • stephenstephen Ireland
    edited January 2007
    Thanks Trogan/chiawaikian Windows firewall is now off. You guy's are really helpful
  • stephenstephen Ireland
    edited January 2007
    I am really thankful for the info already.

    I have ran an online scan with Panda Active and it has come up with following


    Incident Status Location

    Spyware:Cookie/2o7 Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@2o7[2].txt
    Spyware:Cookie/Adtech Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@adtech[2].txt
    Spyware:Cookie/Atlas DMT Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@atdmt[2].txt
    Spyware:Cookie/Bluestreak Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@bluestreak[2].txt
    Spyware:Cookie/Doubleclick Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@doubleclick[1].txt
    Spyware:Cookie/Hitbox Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@hitbox[2].txt
    Spyware:Cookie/Mediaplex Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@mediaplex[1].txt
    Spyware:Cookie/Overture Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@perf.overture[1].txt
    Spyware:Cookie/QuestionMarket Not disinfected C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@questionmarket[2].txt
    Potentially unwanted tool:Application/VSToolbar Not disinfected C:\WINDOWS\system32\edmxkife.exe
    Potentially unwanted tool:Application/VSToolbar Not disinfected C:\WINDOWS\system32\hxgilqlp.exe
    Potentially unwanted tool:Application/VSToolbar Not disinfected C:\WINDOWS\system32\lvcvqccu.exe
    Is it enough to find these files and delete them.

    Thanks in advance.

    P.S. Sorry for my of knowledge
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited January 2007
    stephen wrote:
    ... Potentially unwanted tool:Application/VSToolbar Not disinfected C:\WINDOWS\system32\edmxkife.exe
    Potentially unwanted tool:Application/VSToolbar Not disinfected C:\WINDOWS\system32\hxgilqlp.exe
    Potentially unwanted tool:Application/VSToolbar Not disinfected C:\WINDOWS\system32\lvcvqccu.exe
    Is it enough to find these files and delete them.
    Yes! Let us know if you can find and delete them. :)
  • stephenstephen Ireland
    edited January 2007
    Thanks for the reply Trogan.

    I have managed to find the last 3 entries (WINDOWS\system32)etc and delete them even though they did not have .exe added on. I take it that this was ok. They are still in the recycle bin anyway.

    With the others I can get as far as C:\Documents and Settings\Owner but then there is no cookies folder. Any help would be great.
    Thanks in advance
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited January 2007
    Hi Stephen
    I have managed to find the last 3 entries (WINDOWS\system32)etc and delete them even though they did not have .exe added on. I take it that this was ok. They are still in the recycle bin anyway.
    That is fine. The reason you did not see the .exe extension is because extensions have been hidden from Windows to prevent deletion of critical Windows files.
    With the others I can get as far as C:\Documents and Settings\Owner but then there is no cookies folder. Any help would be great.
    Thanks in advance
    Just as extensions have been hidden, files and folders have been hidden and this is the reason why you cannot access the Cookies folder.

    Cookies are harmless and should not cause you any problems. However, if you would like to remove them manually, then you need to do the following to enable Hidden Files and Folders.

    I assume you have Windows XP:
    • Click Start.
    • Open My Computer.
    • Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
    • Select the View Tab.
    • Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Show hidden files and folders.
    • Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
    • Click Yes to confirm.
    • Click OK.
    I advise you to re-hide files and folders so that critical Windows Files do not get deleted accidentally.

    You can also use ATF Cleaner to automatically clean Files.

    Download ATF (Atribune Temp File) Cleaner© by Atribune to your desktop.
    This program is for XP and Windows 2000 only!

    Double-click ATF Cleaner.exe to open it.

    Under Main select the following:
      [*]Windows Temp
      [*]Current User Temp
      [*]All Users Temp
      [*]Temporary Internet Files
      [*]Prefetch
      [*]Java Cache
      *The other boxes are optional*
      Then click the Empty Selected button.

      If you use Firefox:
      • Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
      • Click the Empty Selected button.
      • NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click NO at the prompt.
      If you use Opera:
      • Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
      • Click the Empty Selected button.
      • NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click NO at the prompt.
      Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

      For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu.

      Hope that helps! :)
    • stephenstephen Ireland
      edited January 2007
      Thanks Trogan for such a detailed reply.

      I found and deleted them manually and reversed you instructions so the files are hidden again. I am going the take a look at the suggested programmes.

      Apart from that I think I am ok now. (until the next problem at least)
      Thanks for all the replys, one can really learn a lot from you guys.
    • TroganTrogan London, UK
      edited January 2007
      You are welcome! Hope you stick around! :)

      This topic is now closed. If you wish it reopened, please send a Private Message (PM) to one of the Spyware Mods with a link to your thread.

      Do not bother contacting us if you are not the topic starter. A valid, working link to the closed topic is required.

      If you are not the user who started this thread, you must start a new Thread instead :)

      Would you also be interested to join Short-Media (Team #93) with the Folding@Home Project? More information available at this link:
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