You can also delete any logs we have produced, and empty your Recycle bin.
The following is some info to help you stay safe and clean.
You may already have some of the following programs, but I include the full list for the benefit of all the other people who will be reading this thread in the future.
( Vista users must ensure that any programs are Vista compatible BEFORE installing )
Online Scanners
I would recommend a scan at one or more of the following sites at least once a month.
!!! Make sure that all your programs are updated !!!
Secunia Software Inspector does all the work for you, .... see HERE for details
AntiSpyware
AntiSpyware is
not the same thing as Antivirus.
Different AntiSpyware programs detect different things, so in this case it is recommended that you have more than one.
You should only have one running all the time, the other/s should be used "on demand" on a regular basis.
Most of the programs in this list have a free (for Home Users ) and paid versions,
it is worth paying for one and having "realtime" protection, unless you intend to do a manual scan often.
[*]Spybot - Search & Destroy <<< A must have program
It includes host protection and registry protection
A hosts file is a bit like a phone book, it points to the actual numeric address (i.e. the IP address) from the human friendly name of a website. This feature can be used to block malicious websites
Microsoft has worked hard to make IE.7 a more secure browser, unfortunately whilst it is still the leading browser of choice it will always be under attack from the bad guys.
Using a different web browser can help stop malware getting on your machine.
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 Initialise 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.
If you are still using IE6 then either update, or get one of the following.
Cleaning Temporary Internet Files and Tracking Cookies
Temporary Internet Files are mainly the files that are downloaded when you open a web page.
Unfortunately, if the site you visit is of a dubious nature or has been hacked, they can also be an entry point for malware.
It is a good idea to empty the Temporary Internet Files folder on a regular basis.
Tracking Cookies are files that websites use to monitor which sites you visit and how often.
A lot of Antispyware scanners pick up these tracking cookies and flag them as unwanted.
CAUTION :- If you delete all your cookies you will lose any autologin information for sites that you visit, and will need your passwords
The last and most important thing I can tell you is UPDATE.
If you don't update your security programs (Antivirus, Antispyware even Windows) then you are at risk.
Malware changes on a day to day basis. You should update every week at the very least.
If you follow this advice then (with a bit of luck) you will never have to hear from me again
If you could post back one more time to let me know everything is OK, then I can have this thread archived.
Comments
Lets tidy up
Uninstall OTScanIt (OTS.exe)
You can also delete any logs we have produced, and empty your Recycle bin.
The following is some info to help you stay safe and clean.
You may already have some of the following programs, but I include the full list for the benefit of all the other people who will be reading this thread in the future.
( Vista users must ensure that any programs are Vista compatible BEFORE installing )
Online Scanners
I would recommend a scan at one or more of the following sites at least once a month.
http://www.pandasecurity.com/activescan
http://www.kaspersky.com/kos/eng/partner/71706/kavwebscan.html
!!! Make sure that all your programs are updated !!!
Secunia Software Inspector does all the work for you, .... see HERE for details
AntiSpyware
AntiSpyware is
not the same thing as Antivirus.Different AntiSpyware programs detect different things, so in this case it is recommended that you have more than one.
You should only have one running all the time, the other/s should be used "on demand" on a regular basis.
Most of the programs in this list have a free (for Home Users ) and paid versions,
it is worth paying for one and having "realtime" protection, unless you intend to do a manual scan often.
[*]Spybot - Search & Destroy <<< A must have program
[*] MalwareBytes Anti-malware <<< A New and effective program
Internet Browsers
Microsoft has worked hard to make IE.7 a more secure browser, unfortunately whilst it is still the leading browser of choice it will always be under attack from the bad guys. Using a different web browser can help stop malware getting on your machine.
If you are still using IE6 then either update, or get one of the following.
Cleaning Temporary Internet Files and Tracking Cookies
Temporary Internet Files are mainly the files that are downloaded when you open a web page. Unfortunately, if the site you visit is of a dubious nature or has been hacked, they can also be an entry point for malware. It is a good idea to empty the Temporary Internet Files folder on a regular basis. Tracking Cookies are files that websites use to monitor which sites you visit and how often. A lot of Antispyware scanners pick up these tracking cookies and flag them as unwanted. CAUTION :- If you delete all your cookies you will lose any autologin information for sites that you visit, and will need your passwords
Also PLEASE read this article.....So How Did I Get Infected In The First Place
The last and most important thing I can tell you is UPDATE.
If you don't update your security programs (Antivirus, Antispyware even Windows) then you are at risk.
Malware changes on a day to day basis. You should update every week at the very least.
If you follow this advice then (with a bit of luck) you will never have to hear from me again
If you could post back one more time to let me know everything is OK, then I can have this thread archived.
Happy surfing K'