FakeAlert Damage

Hello
ken545 at Secure Networking (see Malware thread "FakeAlert Damage") has helped me to remove the Fake Alert trojan and my computer (this one) appears to be clean.

The problems now are:
a) a number of programs do not appear on "Win Explore", "Run/Browse", "Change/Remove" and "All Programs".
the desktop icons for some of these programs have been recoverd and can be used to launch the program. The icons are dimmed while those associated with programs we installed to help in the investigation are bright as usual.
c) programs can be started by opening a file that was created with them or associated with that file type e.g. opening a jpeg file will start my photo editor.
d) programs without an icon or files e.g. my password manager cannot be seen or accessed.

In summary the programs seem to still exist and not to be impaired, but cannot be seen by the methods listed in a) above.

A link to the last post by ken545 is here:
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t…mp;goto=newpost

Can you help me please.

secWEL

Hiya secWEL, Sorry to hear about your problems, after reading over the report from Ken545, something came to my mind. But atm I have posted a query of this topic for input to get more info from other tech's to have their views on this. I will post back with their suggestions to this subject. Jimbo1

Hello jimbo1 Thank you for your interest. I'm impressed by the hills in your photo. I look forward to hearing from you. There has been some improvement in my machine with more items becoming accessible - except my password keeper which seems to be corrupted, so I am having to set up new passwords. Fortunately there does not appear to have been any access into improtant stuff e.g. bank accounts. I will make a thorough survey over the coming days and let you know the outcome - unfortunately work deadlines interfere with important stuff. Thanks secWEL

Thanks thats the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Smokey mountains.

Ok I have spoken with my colleague's and this is something I would like for you to try first to see if this may clear up some issues with your icons missing and so forth. Please go here and download this program and run it to see if it will repaire the issue with the missing icons and report back here.

http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/unhide.exe

The file is called unhide.exe and it is safe to run.

Jimbo1

Hello Jimbo1 Thank you! Unhide as unhidden and I can now see all programs in "All Programs" , "Win Exploerer" etc. Twas like magic. Thank you for your help, I will make a contribution (circumstances mean it will be small). Fight the good fight and enjoy the hills! I am truly grateful. Bill Lewis secWEL

Hello Jimbo1

Thank you!

Unhide as unhidden and I can now see all programs in "All Programs" , "Win Exploerer" etc. Twas like magic.

Thank you for your help, I will make a contribution (circumstances mean it will be small).

Fight the good fight and enjoy the hills!

I am truly grateful.

Bill Lewis
secWEL

I am very glad to see everything is doing well for you and was glad to help you with this problem. In closing, I have some recommendations I would like to suggest.

1. It would not hurt to run a cleaner after an extended session of Internet Browsing; it may be beneficial at the end of the day, otherwise probably weekly. ATF is a very good tool to use. Here is the link to download.

http://forums.whatthetech.com/index.php?showtopic=116491

Also it would benefit you to perform these items as well
•Item 1. Keep your windows updated by checking for them, updates are important because of security issues and fixes.
•Item 2. Keep a good AV (Anti-Virus Software) on your system and keep it updated to help scan for such virus. MSE is a good one to have.
•Item 3. Have a Good Malware Scanner also, This is the one I like because you have to use it manually, this would be the way I would set it up so it
would not take up some of your resource. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is highly recommend and a good tool to have. Reason for this is Malware can cause problems in a system.
•Item 4. Make sure that keep your Java and Falshplayer updated due to exploits, check weekly for updates.
•Item 5. Most Important, Manage your StartUps – Reason for this too many programs loading up upon start up can kill or overwork your processor.
Remember less is better.
•Item 6. CheckDisk Scan every 3 – 6 months would also help to insure your files and hard drive is working at peak performance.
•Item 7. Most important of all is to persistently backup all your Document and Files in case you would have a need to restore them in
case of drive failures or attacked by Virus.
•Item 8. Application Software Updates – This is very important and the main reason to update your programs would be to help protect you of
security issues and fixes, many infections can take advantage of flaws within the program itself to cause a user problems, so by updated
them will help you protect the systems and or possible problems.

Here is a recommend software that will help you check for needed updates.
Secunia Personal Software Inspector
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal

Secunia even provides a video introduction to installing and using PSI.
http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/personal

Following these Recommendations will and can go a long way of helping do what we call preventative maintenance or proactive maintenance on your system and could save you a fair bit of trouble down the road.

If you are in need or have any other problems, please post here at WTT, to receive assistance with the problems you may have.

May you have a good day.

Jimbo1

Hi Jimbo! Thanks for your advice; I will act on it! I appreciate all you have done. Be lucky. Bill Lewis secWEL