Member Avatar for LaurenB

I have run all the required programs including CWShredder, TrendMicro, Spybot, Ad Aware SE, & VX2 Cleaner.

However, I am UNABLE to change my homepage. It continues to change on its own to c:\searchpage.html.

When I ran TrendMicro, there was one trojan that could not be deleted: mtwirl.dll -- if someone can provide assistance, I would be totally indebted.

*************************************

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 5:21:40 PM, on 3/28/2005
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\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\WINDOWS\BCMSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe
C:\WINDOWS\IEXPLOR.EXE
C:\Program Files\Dell\Support\Alert\bin\NotifyAlert.exe
C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aoltray.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ymsgr_tray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cidaemon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cidaemon.exe
C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\waol.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Michelle Hayworth\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,Search = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,Search = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = c:\searchpage.html
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = c:\searchpage.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = c:\searchpage.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = c:\searchpage.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = c:\searchpage.html
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDSentry] C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\McUpdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ink Monitor] C:\Program Files\EPSON\Ink Monitor\InkMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [YBrowser] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\browser\ybrwicon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [STOPzilla] "C:\Program Files\STOPzilla!\Stopzilla.exe" /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMSMMSG] BCMSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RealTray] C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe SYSTEMBOOTHIDEPLAYER
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IEXPLOR.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\IEXPLOR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AtxBrw] C:\WINDOWS\IEXPLOR.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 7.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aoltray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check 2.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_SRCV02.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\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 Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Login - {2499216C-4BA5-11D5-BD9C-000103C116D5} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\ylogin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Login - {2499216C-4BA5-11D5-BD9C-000103C116D5} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\ylogin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O13 - DefaultPrefix: c:\searchpage.html?page=
O13 - WWW Prefix: c:\searchpage.html?page=
O13 - Home Prefix: c:\searchpage.html?page=
O13 - Mosaic Prefix: c:\searchpage.html?page=
O16 - DPF: ChatSpace Full Java Client -
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Chat -
O16 - DPF: {01A88BB1-1174-41EC-ACCB-963509EAE56B} (SysProWmi Class) - http://support.dell.com/systemprofiler/SysPro.CAB
O16 - DPF: {04E214E5-63AF-4236-83C6-A7ADCBF9BD02} (HouseCall Control) -
O16 - DPF: {2B323CD9-50E3-11D3-9466-00A0C9700498} (Yahoo! Audio Conferencing) -
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) -
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) -
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.
O16 - DPF: {4A3CF76B-EC7A-405D-A67D-8DC6B52AB35B} (QDiagAOLCCUpdateObj Class) -
O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} (RdxIE Class) -
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) -
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.
O16 - DPF: {7D1E9C49-BD6A-11D3-87A8-009027A35D73} (Yahoo! Audio UI1) -
O16 - DPF: {A17E30C4-A9BA-11D4-8673-60DB54C10000} (YahooYMailTo Class) -
O16 - DPF: {BAC01377-73DD-4796-854D-2A8997E3D68A} -
O16 - DPF: {C606BA60-AB76-48B6-96A7-2C4D5C386F70} (PreQualifier Class) - http://www.verizon.net/checkmypc/includes/MotivePreQual.cab
O16 - DPF: {CA034DCC-A580-4333-B52F-15F98C42E04C} (Downloader Class) - http://www.stopzilla.com/_download/Auto_Installer/dwnldr.cab
O16 - DPF: {D18F962A-3722-4B59-B08D-28BB9EB2281E} (PhotosCtrl Class) -
O16 - DPF: {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} -
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{0B323D12-B0B8-47E4-8E31-CA287979DC24}: NameServer =
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - Unknown owner - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com VirusScan Online Realtime Engine (MCVSRte) - Mcafee.com Corporation - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
O23 - Service: WAN Miniport (ATW) Service (WANMiniportService) - America Online, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe

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  • 5 Replies
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  • 1 Day Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

Dani AI

Generated

A quick, practical summary and next steps that build on ’s great work: the c:\searchpage.html symptom and an undeletable mtwirl*.dll are a well-known "StartPage/Bookmarker" style hijack. The DLL usually persists because it is registered as a COM in-process server and/or added to Explorer startup (SharedTaskScheduler / shell add-on), so simply removing the obvious registry R0/R1 lines or letting an AV delete the file can leave registry hooks behind and the DLL will reappear. (forums.majorgeeks.com)

Recommended procedure (safe, offline, stepwise):

  • Disconnect network, disable System Restore (so infected restore points are removed) and reboot to Safe Mode. (itprotoday.com)
  • Run Autoruns (to find startup/COM/SharedTaskScheduler entries) and Process Explorer (to see which process has the DLL loaded). Uncheck and delete any entries that reference mtwirl or unfamiliar CLSIDs. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • If a DLL is still loaded, unload/close the owning process (or use Safe Mode). Then unregister and remove the DLL, for example: 
regsvr32 /u "C:\Windows\System32\mtwirl.dll"
del /f /q "C:\Windows\System32\mtwirl.dll"

Refer to Microsoft docs for regsvr32 usage and error handling before running these commands. Back up the registry before deleting keys. (support.microsoft.com)

After removal: search the registry for the DLL name and delete the matching CLSID and SharedTaskScheduler values (these are the keys that recreate the DLL at Explorer startup), clear IE temp files, verify no proxy/hosts modifications, run full updated scans, then re-enable System Restore and create a fresh restore point. Re-run Autoruns/Process Explorer to confirm nothing remains. These steps complete and harden the cleanup started by HijackThis and Safe Mode deletes. (forums.majorgeeks.com)

Cautions: always back up the registry and create an image or full file backup before manual deletions; do not delete keys unless the entry is clearly the malicious CLSID or points to the mtwirl file. If manual removal fails, an offline rescue disk or recovery-console/repair-install approach will reliably remove stubborn persistence.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for caperjack

Your copy of HijackThis needs to be in a folder of it's own. When HJT fixes anything, it makes backups of the original files in the folder it is in. Since Temporary folders are emptied now and then (the files are DELETED), it would not be a good idea to have your backups there. Those backups would be VITAL to restoring your system if something went wrong in the FIX process!


1. Please go to you're 'My Documents' folder, right-click and select 'New > Folder' then name the folder 'HJT'.

2. Copy and paste HijackThis.exe to the new folder.


,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Have Hijack This fix the following by placing a check in the appropriate boxes and selecting fix checked. Make sure all browser and all Windows Explorer windows are closed before fixing.
You might want to print out or copy & paste to notePad , these instructions as you will need to close this browser window to fix with hijackthis !
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,Search = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,Search = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = c:\searchpage.html
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = c:\searchpage.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = c:\searchpage.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = c:\searchpage.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = c:\searchpage.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = c:\searchpage.html

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IEXPLOR.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\IEXPLOR.EXE


O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AtxBrw] C:\WINDOWS\IEXPLOR.exe

This one is optional but suggested fix ,rescorce hog and not needed at startup.
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE

O13 - DefaultPrefix: c:\searchpage.html?page=
O13 - WWW Prefix: c:\searchpage.html?page=
O13 - Home Prefix: c:\searchpage.html?page=
O13 - Mosaic Prefix: c:\searchpage.html?page=

This one for sure and i suggest fixing all the other 016s' as the good ones will come back when you return to that site
O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} (RdxIE Class) -
-Netster

O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll


Now reboot into safe mode and delete the following files and folders if found .

C:\WINDOWS\IEXPLOR.EXE,,,,,delete file

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll,,,,,,,,,,,delete file


to delete the above files and folder you will need to do the following
go to
Show hidden files & folders

"Fix Checked"...Reboot to SAFE mode to delete files
How to start computer in safe mode

reboot computer and post a new log

Member Avatar for LaurenB

Ok, completed your instructions...here is my new HiJack file -- Please advise! Thanks :)

----------------------------------------------------------------

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:06:46 PM, on 3/28/2005
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\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Support\Alert\bin\NotifyAlert.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\WINDOWS\BCMSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe
C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aoltray.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ymsgr_tray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Michelle Hayworth\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1;
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDSentry] C:\WINDOWS\System32\DSentry.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\McUpdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ink Monitor] C:\Program Files\EPSON\Ink Monitor\InkMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [YBrowser] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\browser\ybrwicon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [STOPzilla] "C:\Program Files\STOPzilla!\Stopzilla.exe" /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BCMSMMSG] BCMSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RealTray] C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe SYSTEMBOOTHIDEPLAYER
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - Global Startup: America Online 7.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\America Online 7.0\aoltray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check 2.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SPOOL\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_SRCV02.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Login - {2499216C-4BA5-11D5-BD9C-000103C116D5} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\ylogin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Login - {2499216C-4BA5-11D5-BD9C-000103C116D5} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\ylogin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O23 - Service: EPSON Printer Status Agent2 (EPSONStatusAgent2) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\EPSON\EBAPI\SAgent2.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - Unknown owner - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com VirusScan Online Realtime Engine (MCVSRte) - Mcafee.com Corporation - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
O23 - Service: WAN Miniport (ATW) Service (WANMiniportService) - America Online, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\wanmpsvc.exe

Member Avatar for caperjack

log looks clean now .
,,,,,,,,,,,,,
just to make sure we have clean restore points lets do this:

To reset your restore points, please note that you will need to log into your computer with an account which has full administrator access. You will know if the account has administrator access because you will be able to see the System Restore tab. If the tab is missing, you are logged in under a limited account.

(winXP)

1. Turn off System Restore. >>>(will delete old possibly infected restore point)
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.

Reboot.

3. Turn ON System Restore.>>>(creates new restore points on a clean system)
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
UN-Check *Turn off System Restore*.
Click Apply, and then click OK, then reboot
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please follow a few tips to remain malware free:

1) Make sure you keep your Windows OS current by visiting Windows update occasionaly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. With out these you are leaving the backdoor open.

Also download, install and keep updated- Antivirus Software (and use only one):
Free for home users:
http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/
http://www.free-av.com/

2) Watch what you download, and where you download it from. Many programs come bundled with crapware. Make sure you know what it is you will be downloading and installing. Visit the makers website, learn more about the program, read the privacy policy,a link way down at the bottom of the page. Does the program you want come bundled with other "3rd party" programs? What do the 3rd party programs do? Will they deliver ads? Track your surfing habits?.You may be installing more than you think., Stay away from warez and crack sites. Becarful what you download from file sharing networks.If you are not sure, scan it with your Antivirus app. A small file (in KB) is probably not what you think it is.

3)Adjust your browser settings: Change your(active x) settings in IE. With IE open go to tools, internet options, security tab. Click on the internet globe, then custom level. Set the first option "download signed active x controls" to prompt, the next two to disable. Read more:

Many exploits are directed at Internet Explorer, you dont have to use it. Try a different browser: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

4)Install a firewall. A firewall will control what comes in from the internet and what leaves your computer to the internet. A firewall will also alert you when a application trys to connect to the internet from your computer, this is a good way to catch crapware or trojans, trying to connect out bound from your computer- whats that and why does it need a internet connection? You can deny it access it until more investigation is done. Zone Alarm is a free and easy to use firewall, that will provide in and outbound protection. Microsoft XP firewall only provides inbound protection. SP2 adds in and out bound protection which is better than nothing, but is not as robust as third party firewalls, but better than nothing. Be sure to run only >one< firewall.If you use another, be sure to disable XP's built in firewall.
Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
Kerio Personal Firewall:
Outpost Firewall:

5)Download, install and update before using:(if these are constantly finding malware, then you need to make some changes.)
Ad-Aware SE Personal edition:
Spybot Search and destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Becarful with spyware "removers and scanners"-- there are many "rogue/suspect" programs that "claim to remove" spyware.


6)Other programs to consider:
SpywareBlaster: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/ind...showtutorial=49
IE-SPYAD:
AntiTrojan (free) software to fill in the gap:
a2 free: http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
Ewido Security Suite: http://www.ewido.net/en/


7) Learn More:
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/
http://www.wilders.org/index.htm

SHELF LIFE

Member Avatar for LaurenB

Thanks so much for all your assistance -- my computer is like new again! You're such a doll! :cheesy:

Member Avatar for caperjack

Thanks so much for all your assistance -- my computer is like new again! You're such a doll! :cheesy:

Great !glade i could help .an old rag doll maybe!

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