Hi Candi7,
IT APPEARS THAT YOUR LOGS ARE NOW CLEAN 
SO LETS DO A COUPLE OF THINGS TO WRAP THIS UP!!
This infection appears to have been cleaned, but as the malware could be configured to run any program a remote attacker requires, it's impossible to be 100% sure that any machine is clean.
———-
Download
TFC to your
desktop
- Close any open windows.
- Double click the TFC icon to run the program
- TFC will close all open programs itself in order to run,
- Click the Start button to begin the process.
- Allow TFC to run uninterrupted.
- The program should not take long to finish it's job
- Once its finished it should automatically reboot your machine,
- if it doesn't, manually reboot to ensure a complete clean
———-
If you have not defragged your hard drive lately, it may like to try
Puran Defragmenter that you can find
here.
———-
The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:
Click
Start >
Run and copy/paste the following text into the Run box as shown and click OK.
(Note: There is a space between the ..X and the /U that needs to be there.)
[external image: Posted Image]
———-
Clean up with
OTL:
- Double-click OTL.exe to start the program.
- Close all other programs apart from OTL as this step will require a reboot
- On the OTL main screen, press the CLEANUP button
- Say Yes to the prompt and then allow the program to reboot your computer.
———-
Any of the logs that you created for use in the forums or remaining tools that have not yet been removed can be deleted so they aren't cluttering up your desktop.
Here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:
1. 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 Initialize 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.
2. Enable
Protected Mode in Internet Explorer. This helps Windows Vista users stay more protected from attack by running Internet Explorer with restricted privileges as well as reducing the ability to write, alter or destroy data on your system or install malicious code. To make sure this is running follow these steps:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Click on Tools > Internet Options
- Press Security tab
- Select Internet zone then place check next to Enable Protected Mode if not already done
- Do the same for Local Intranet, Trusted Sites and Restricted Sites and then press Apply
- Restart Internet Explorer and in the bottom right corner of your screen you will see Protected Mode: On showing you it is enabled.
3. Use and Update an Anti-Virus Software - I can not overemphasize the need for you to use and 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. Firewall
Using a third-party firewall will allow you to give/deny access for applications that want to go online. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. A tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones can be found
here.
**Do not install more than one firewall program because they will conflict with each other**
5. Make sure you keep your Windows OS current.
Windows XP users can visit
Windows update regularly to download and install any critical updates and service packs.
Windows Vista/7 users can open the
Start menu > All Programs > Windows Update > Check for Updates (in left hand task pane) to update these systems. Without these you are leaving the back door open.
6. Filehippo's Update Checker. It is free utilitiy that scan your computer for installed software, checks the versions and then sends this information to see if there are any newer releases. Available software updates are displayed and you can decide which ones to download and install. Among many other types of programs, they includes a number of the Anti-Spyware, Firewall/Security and Anti-Virus programs that have been recommended (though not all of them).
Note: Definition files should be updated from within the programs themselves. The Update Checker look for newer versions of the software program, not definition files.
7. 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.
8. WOT , Web of Trust, As 'Googling' is such an integral part of internet life, this free browser add on warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. It is especially helpful when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous sites:
- Green to go
- Yellow for caution
- Red to stop
WOT has an add-on available for Firefox, Internet Explorer as well as Google Chrome.
9. Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Download and install Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide real time spyware and hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should scan your computer with the program on a regular basis just as you would with your anti-virus software. A tutorial on installing and using this product can be found here:
Instructions for - Spybot S & D and Ad-aware
10. Finally, I strongly recommend that you read TonyKlein's good advice
So how did I get infected in the first place?
Please reply to this thread once more if you are satisfied so that we can mark the problem as resolved.
