Hi Julie,
No worries. And you're welcome.
Everything is in order then?
Let's clean up the tools we've used before you go.
Delete the following:
- GMER
- DDS
- MBRCheck
- All the logs we've created.
You can keep TFC and use it to clean your computer of some junk atleast once a week. You can also keep Malwarebytes, it is an excellent malware removal tool. Update atleast once a week then run a complete scan.
–Next–
The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:
Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bolded text into the Run box and click OK:
ComboFix /Uninstall
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–Next–
Java
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Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system.
Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update.
- Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 21 and save it to your desktop.
- Scroll down to where it says JDK 6 Update 21 (JDK or JRE)
- Click the Download JRE button to the right
- Select the Windows platform from the dropdown menu.
- Read the License Agreement and then check the box that says: "I agree to the Java SE Runtime Environment 6u21 with JavaFX 1 License Agreement". Click on Continue.The page will refresh.
- Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation and save the file to your desktop.
- Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
- Go to Start > Control Panel, double-click on Add or Remove Programs and remove all older versions of Java.
- Check (highlight) any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE or Java™ 6) in the name.
- Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
- Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
- Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
- Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u21-windows-i586-p.exe to install the newest version.
- After the install is complete, go into the Control Panel (using Classic View) and double-click the Java Icon. (looks like a coffee cup)
- On the General tab, under Temporary Internet Files, click the Settings button.
- Next, click on the Delete Files button
- There are two options in the window to clear the cache - Leave BOTH CheckedApplications and Applets
Trace and Log Files
- Click OK on Delete Temporary Files Window
Note: This deletes ALL the Downloaded Applications and Applets from the CACHE. - Click OK to leave the Temporary Files Window
- Click OK to leave the Java Control Panel.
To keep your operating system up to date visit
- Secunia Software inspector to check your program update status.
- Microsoft Windows Update .
Here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:
1. It is good security practice to change your passwords to all your online accounts on a fairly regular basis, this is especially true after an infection. Refer to this Microsoft article
Strong passwords: How to create and use them
Then consider a
password keeper, to keep all your passwords safe.
2.
Make your Internet Explorer More Secure
- 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.
3.
Update your Anti-Virus Software - I can not overemphasize the need for you to update your Anti-virus application on a regular basis. With the ever increasing number of new variants of malware arriving on the scene daily, you become very susceptible to an attack without updated protection.
4.
Make sure you keep your Windows OS current by visiting
Windows update regularly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. Without these you are leaving the back door open.
5.
Consider a custom hosts file such as MVPS HOSTS. This custom hosts file effectively blocks a wide range of unwanted ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and many hijackers.
For information on how to download and install, please read this tutorial by WinHelp2002
Note: Be sure to follow the instructions to disable the
DNS Client service
before installing a custom hosts file.
6.
Download and install the free version of WinPatrol. This program protects your computer in a variety of ways and will work well with your existing security software. Have a look at
this tutorial to help you get started with the program.
7.
SpywareBlaster - Download and install
SpywareBlaster. This program prevents the installation of ActiveX-based spyware and other potentially unwanted programs.
8.
Protect your computer from internet threats with SandboxIE. This program isolates Internet Explorer from the rest of your operating system, 'sandboxing' it away - so malicious websites can't do damage to the rest of your system. There is a
Getting Started guide on their website.
9. Some excellent free firewalls.
Note: Use only one firewall at a time.
Agnitum Outpost Firewall
Online Armor Personal Firewall
10. And finally, please read these excellent articles:
Limited User Accounts
Malware: Help prevent the Infection by Sandi Hardmeier
Preventing Malware - Tools and Practices for Safe Computing
We will keep this thread open for a couple of days. Please post back if you have any problems or questions or when you have finished so this thread can be marked as "Resolved".
Good luck, happy computing and stay
clean!
