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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

Ping.exe virus problems [Solved]

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. DDS (Ver_2011-08-26.01) - NTFSAMD64 Internet Explorer: 8.0.7601.17514 BrowserJavaVersion: 1.6.0_22 Run by [removed] at 11:49:33 on 2011-12-21 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 6.1.7601.1.1252.1.1033.18.3562.1686 [GMT -5:00] . SP: Windows Defender *Disabled/Outdated* {D68DDC3A-831F-4fae-9E44-DA132C1ACF46} . ============== Running Processes =============== . C:\windows\system32\wininit.exe C:\windows\system32\lsm.exe C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k RPCSS C:\windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe C:\windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted C:\windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService C:\Windows\System32\GFNEXSrv.exe C:\windows\system32\WLANExt.exe C:\windows\system32\conhost.exe C:\windows\System32\spoolsv.exe C:\windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork C:\windows\SysWOW64\svchost.exe -k hpdevmgmt C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Application Virtualization Client\sftvsa.exe C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc C:\windows\system32\TODDSrv.exe C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Power Saver\TosCoSrv.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Application Virtualization Client\sftlist.exe C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TECO\TecoService.exe C:\windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe C:\windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe C:\windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Virtualization Handler\CVHSVC.EXE C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k HPService C:\windows\system32\atieclxx.exe C:\windows\system32\taskhost.exe C:\windows\system32\Dwm.exe C:\windows\Explorer.EXE C:\windows\Microsoft.Net\Framework64\v3.0\WPF\PresentationFontCache.exe C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Power Saver\TPwrMain.exe C:\Program Files\Toshiba\FlashCards\TCrdMain.exe C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RAVCpl64.exe C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RAVBg64.exe C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe C:\Program Files\Toshiba\TECO\Teco.exe C:\Program Files\Toshiba\ReelTime\TosReelTimeMonitor.exe C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPHelper.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Toshiba\TOSHIBA Service Station\ToshibaServiceStation.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\MOM.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CCC.exe C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation C:\windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServicePeerNet C:\Program Files (x86)\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA Service Station\TMachInfo.exe C:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe C:\windows\splwow64.exe C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA HDD SSD Alert\TosSmartSrv.exe C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA HDD SSD Alert\TosSENotify.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Corel\WordPerfect Family Pack 4\Programs\wpwin10.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Winamp\winamp.exe C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe C:\windows\System32\svchost.exe -k swprv C:\windows\servicing\TrustedInstaller.exe C:\windows\SysWOW64\cmd.exe C:\windows\system32\conhost.exe C:\windows\SysWOW64\cscript.exe . ============== Pseudo HJT Report =============== . uStart Page = hxxp://start.toshiba.com uInternet Settings,ProxyOverride = BHO: Adobe PDF Link Helper: {18df081c-e8ad-4283-a596-fa578c2ebdc3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper: {dbc80044-a445-435b-bc74-9c25c1c588a9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll BHO: TOSHIBA Media Controller Plug-in: {f3c88694-effa-4d78-b409-54b7b2535b14} - C:\Program Files (x86)\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA Media Controller Plug-in\TOSHIBAMediaControllerIE.dll {555d4d79-4bd2-4094-a395-cfc534424a05} uRun: [Messenger (Yahoo!)] "C:\PROGRA~2\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\YAHOOM~1.EXE" -quiet mRun: [ITSecMng] %ProgramFiles%\TOSHIBA\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\ItSecMng.exe /START mRun: [ToshibaServiceStation] "C:\Program Files (x86)\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA Service Station\ToshibaServiceStation.exe" /hide:60 mRun: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun mRun: [AmazonGSDownloaderTray] C:\Program Files (x86)\Amazon\Amazon Games & Software Downloader\AmazonGSDownloaderTray.exe mRun: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray mRun: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe" mRun: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript mPolicies-system: ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin = 0 (0x0) mPolicies-system: ConsentPromptBehaviorUser = 3 (0x3) mPolicies-system: EnableLUA = 0 (0x0) mPolicies-system: EnableUIADesktopToggle = 0 (0x0) mPolicies-system: PromptOnSecureDesktop = 0 (0x0) DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_22-windows-i586.cab DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0022-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_22-windows-i586.cab DPF: {CAFEEFAC-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_22-windows-i586.cab TCP: DhcpNameServer = 192.168.1.1 TCP: Interfaces\{A0273F09-A733-49EC-9049-CD0F840D449E} : DhcpNameServer = 192.168.1.1 BHO-X64: Adobe PDF Link Helper: {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll BHO-X64: AcroIEHelperStub - No File BHO-X64: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper: {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll BHO-X64: TOSHIBA Media Controller Plug-in: {F3C88694-EFFA-4d78-B409-54B7B2535B14} - C:\Program Files (x86)\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA Media Controller Plug-in\TOSHIBAMediaControllerIE.dll EB-X64: {555D4D79-4BD2-4094-A395-CFC534424A05} - No File mRun-x64: [ITSecMng] %ProgramFiles%\TOSHIBA\Bluetooth Toshiba Stack\ItSecMng.exe /START mRun-x64: [ToshibaServiceStation] "C:\Program Files (x86)\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA Service Station\ToshibaServiceStation.exe" /hide:60 mRun-x64: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun mRun-x64: [AmazonGSDownloaderTray] C:\Program Files (x86)\Amazon\Amazon Games & Software Downloader\AmazonGSDownloaderTray.exe mRun-x64: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray mRun-x64: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe" mRun-x64: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript . ================= FIREFOX =================== . FF - ProfilePath - C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\i1p7oxmi.default\ FF - prefs.js: browser.startup.homepage - hxxp://www.yahoo.com/ FF - plugin: C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~3\Office14\NPSPWRAP.DLL FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 10.0\Reader\AIR\nppdf32.dll FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\new_plugin\npdeployJava1.dll FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\plugins\npwachk.dll FF - plugin: C:\Program Files (x86)\WildTangent Games\App\BrowserIntegration\Registered\1\NP_wtapp.dll FF - plugin: C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\i1p7oxmi.default\extensions\{e001c731-5e37-4538-a5cb-8168736a2360}\plugins\npqscan.dll FF - plugin: C:\windows\SysWOW64\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32.dll FF - Ext: Default: {972ce4c6-7e08-4474-a285-3208198ce6fd} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{972ce4c6-7e08-4474-a285-3208198ce6fd} FF - Ext: Java Console: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0022-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0022-ABCDEFFEDCBA} FF - Ext: Read It Later: [removed] - %profile%\extensions\[removed] FF - Ext: Webmail Ad Blocker: [removed] - %profile%\extensions\[removed] FF - Ext: Ad blocker: {4DC70064-89E2-4a55-8FC6-E8CDEAE3612C} - %profile%\extensions\{4DC70064-89E2-4a55-8FC6-E8CDEAE3612C} FF - Ext: BitDefender QuickScan: {e001c731-5e37-4538-a5cb-8168736a2360} - %profile%\extensions\{e001c731-5e37-4538-a5cb-8168736a2360} FF - Ext: DeSopa: [removed] - %profile%\extensions\[removed] . ============= SERVICES / DRIVERS =============== . R1 vwififlt;Virtual WiFi Filter Driver;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\vwififlt.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\vwififlt.sys [?] R2 TVALZFL;TOSHIBA ACPI-Based Value Added Logical and General Purpose Device Filter Driver;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\TVALZFL.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\TVALZFL.sys [?] R3 amdkmdag;amdkmdag;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\atikmdag.sys [?] R3 amdkmdap;amdkmdap;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\atikmpag.sys [?] R3 AtiHDAudioService;ATI Function Driver for HD Audio Service;C:\windows\system32\drivers\AtihdW76.sys –> C:\windows\system32\drivers\AtihdW76.sys [?] R3 MBAMProtector;MBAMProtector;\??\C:\windows\system32\drivers\mbam.sys –> C:\windows\system32\drivers\mbam.sys [?] R3 PGEffect;Pangu effect driver;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\pgeffect.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\pgeffect.sys [?] R3 RTL8167;Realtek 8167 NT Driver;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Rt64win7.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Rt64win7.sys [?] R3 Sftfs;Sftfs;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Sftfslh.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Sftfslh.sys [?] R3 Sftplay;Sftplay;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Sftplaylh.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Sftplaylh.sys [?] R3 Sftredir;Sftredir;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Sftredirlh.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Sftredirlh.sys [?] R3 Sftvol;Sftvol;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Sftvollh.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\Sftvollh.sys [?] R3 vwifimp;Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Service;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\vwifimp.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\vwifimp.sys [?] S3 BtFilter;Bluetooth LowerFilter Class Filter Driver;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\btfilter.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\btfilter.sys [?] S3 RSUSBSTOR;RtsUStor.Sys Realtek USB Card Reader;C:\windows\system32\Drivers\RtsUStor.sys –> C:\windows\system32\Drivers\RtsUStor.sys [?] S3 TsUsbFlt;TsUsbFlt;C:\windows\system32\drivers\tsusbflt.sys –> C:\windows\system32\drivers\tsusbflt.sys [?] S3 TsUsbGD;Remote Desktop Generic USB Device;C:\windows\system32\drivers\TsUsbGD.sys –> C:\windows\system32\drivers\TsUsbGD.sys [?] S3 WSDPrintDevice;WSD Print Support via UMB;C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\WSDPrint.sys –> C:\windows\system32\DRIVERS\WSDPrint.sys [?] . =============== Created Last 30 ================ . 2011-12-21 16:32:09 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\Uniblue 2011-12-20 08:10:59 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\Rumbic Studio 2011-12-20 05:47:07 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Maestro - Music of Death 2011-12-20 05:13:42 ——– d—–w- C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Roaming\Playrix Entertainment 2011-12-20 04:51:00 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Bubble Odyssey 2011-12-20 04:49:49 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Royal Envoy 2 Collector's Edition 2011-12-20 04:12:59 ——– d-sh–w- C:\$RECYCLE.BIN 2011-12-20 00:02:54 ——– d—–w- C:\_OTL 2011-12-17 17:17:09 ——– d—–w- C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Roaming\QuickScan 2011-12-16 16:10:32 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\ESET 2011-12-16 09:11:33 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\SeaMonkey 2011-12-16 08:32:54 ——– d—–w- C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Roaming\Disruptive Innovations SARL 2011-12-16 08:32:54 ——– d—–w- C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Local\Disruptive Innovations SARL 2011-12-16 07:47:06 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\Blumentals 2011-12-15 20:12:11 98816 —-a-w- C:\windows\sed.exe 2011-12-15 20:12:11 518144 —-a-w- C:\windows\SWREG.exe 2011-12-15 20:12:11 256000 —-a-w- C:\windows\PEV.exe 2011-12-15 20:12:11 208896 —-a-w- C:\windows\MBR.exe 2011-12-13 23:01:15 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\AVG2012 2011-12-13 23:00:29 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG 2011-12-13 22:50:16 ——– d–h–w- C:\ProgramData\Common Files 2011-12-13 22:49:48 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\MFAData 2011-12-13 19:45:38 ——– d—–w- C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Roaming\Malwarebytes 2011-12-13 19:44:51 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\Malwarebytes 2011-12-13 19:44:48 25416 —-a-w- C:\windows\System32\drivers\mbam.sys 2011-12-13 19:44:48 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 2011-12-04 04:36:47 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Dark Parables - Rise of the Snow Queen Collector's Edition 2011-12-03 23:49:57 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\Playrix Entertainment 2011-12-03 22:21:27 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\TERMINAL Studio 2011-12-03 17:45:35 ——– d—–w- C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Local\Tific 2011-12-03 16:17:22 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Luxor Adventures 2011-12-03 16:17:05 57344 —-a-w- C:\windows\SysWow64\Big Kahuna Reef.scr 2011-12-03 16:17:03 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Big Kahuna Reef 2011-12-03 16:02:43 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Double Play Jewel Quest 2 and 3 2011-12-03 15:55:01 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Royal Envoy 2011-12-03 15:42:33 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Samantha Swift and the Mystery from Atlantis 2011-12-03 15:26:52 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Big Kahuna Reef 2 2011-12-03 15:25:26 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\The Rise Of Atlantis 2011-12-03 15:23:37 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Sky Kingdoms 2011-12-03 15:20:42 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Heroes Of Hellas 2011-12-03 15:19:21 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Call Of Atlantis 2011-12-03 15:13:13 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Atlantis Quest 2011-12-03 15:11:54 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Luxor HD 2011-12-03 15:10:00 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Samantha Swift Fountains of Fate 2011-12-03 14:52:40 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\Amazon 2011-12-03 14:52:33 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Amazon 2011-12-03 04:34:22 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\Fugazo 2011-12-02 21:57:00 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Mythic Pearls - The Legend of Tirnanog 2011-12-02 21:53:49 ——– d—–w- C:\ProgramData\Intenium 2011-12-02 21:45:22 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Luxor - 5th Passage 2011-11-30 17:10:59 ——– d—–w- C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Roaming\OpenOffice.org 2011-11-30 17:08:59 ——– d—–w- C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 3 2011-11-30 17:08:17 472808 —-a-w- C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\plugins\npdeployJava1.dll 2011-11-28 00:04:22 ——– d—–w- C:\Users\laptop\AppData\Roaming\Oberon Games . ==================== Find3M ==================== . 2011-11-30 17:08:07 472808 —-a-w- C:\windows\SysWow64\deployJava1.dll 2011-10-16 09:05:43 2951 —-a-w- C:\windows\SysWow64\settings.bin 2011-10-07 01:29:46 414368 —-a-w- C:\windows\SysWow64\FlashPlayerCPLApp.cpl . ============= FINISH: 11:50:33.67 =============== my computer's still running really slow. when i hit the key to turn on/off my laptop mouse it takes a minute or more for it to pop up. then again i'm seeing some system interrupts showing up. before i thought it was that ping.exe file since that coincided with the slowdowns as well.
Hi catherine,

Nothing is coming up as malware in the logs you are providing. Let's clean up some temp files and see how that works for your computer speed. :)
———

Download TFC to your desktop
  • Close any open windows.
  • Right-click and Run as Administrator 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
No there is no log created…sorry that I didn't say that. That program will remove Temp files from your computer. You should keep it and use it once a week or so. Be sure to reboot your system after you use it though. Are things better?
yes it is. though i'm looking at options for when malwarebytes runs out of free trial so it'll have to go since i can't afford fee-software right now. and is there an antivirus that doesn't slow down the system like microsoft security essentials did? i went looking at avast and all those on cnet's forums and they had a lot of 'won't install right' and 'froze my computer' comments.
Glad to hear it is running better.

i can't afford fee-software right now

When the free trial of Malwarebytes runs out it will automatically go to the free version. Really the only difference is that with the free version you do everything manually. I use the free version myself and love it. :)

As for Avast you should give it a try. I just had another person needing help download it and run it with no problems today (at a different site though).
If you want to try it here is the link >> Avast
Its not a problem. :) I have appreciated you patience. Malware removal can sometimes take a bit to complete. Get Avast set up and then we will remove our tools. :thumbup:
i installed it on the minimal setting so i didn't have to put in all the extra language files. so far i've had one avast popup but otherwise no slowdown on things.
Hi catherine,

Great!! :)
———-

IT APPEARS THAT YOUR LOGS ARE NOW CLEAN :D SO LETS DO A COUPLE OF THINGS TO WRAP THIS UP!! :D

This infection appears to have been cleaned, but I can not give you any absolute guarantees. As a precaution, I would go ahead and change all of your passwords as this is especially important after an infection.
———-

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.
Combofix /Uninstall
(Note: There is a space between the ..X and the /U that needs to be there.)

[external image: Posted Image]
———-

Clean up with OTL:
  • Right-click and Run as Administrator 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 can be found here. **There are firewalls listed in this tutorial that could be downloaded and used but I would personally only recommend using one of the following two below:
Online Armor Free
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free

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. 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.

7. 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. WOT has an add-on available for Firefox, Internet Explorer as well as Google Chrome.

8.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.

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