I'm do glad to hear ESET ran clean! That means we can clean up our tools and this machine appears to be free of malware now
Below are the tips for the future on an XP machine (the Windows Update items are a little different is really the main difference from those for your previous machine).
I've enjoyed working with you vistabug!
I hope if you have any issues in the future you'll return here to our forums at WTT. (And I hope the snow will move on and spring will come your way soon.)
I'll leave this thread open for another couple days before I close it out, just in case you have any other questions or if anything comes up.
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The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:
- Click Start > Run
- Now type Combofix /uninstall in the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the X and the U, it needs to be there.
- [external image: Posted Image]
If there are any remaining tools or logs on your desktop you can right-click and delete them.
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Great job! Your logs appear to be malware free and you do not appear to be experiencing any malware related problems.
Please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer malware free and secure:
Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently
It is important that you visit
http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
Use and Update your AntiVirus Software
It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future. It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
Use a Firewall
I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
Use only one antivirus and one firewall on your machine
Having more than one anti-virus program and one firewall on your machine, even if only one is running, can cause conflicts and slowdowns in the performance of the machine.
If you need more information on free anti-virus or firewall options please let me know and I will give you some recommendations.
Make your Internet Explorer more secure
This can be done by following these simple instructions:
1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on
Options.
2. Click once on the
Security tab
3. Click once on the
Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
4. Click once on the
Custom Level button.
5. Change the
Download signed ActiveX controls to
Prompt
6. Change the
Download unsigned ActiveX controls to
Disable
7. Change the
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to
Disable
8. Change the
Installation of desktop items to
Prompt
9. Change the
Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to
Prompt
10. Change the
Navigate sub-frames across different domains to
Prompt
11. When all these settings have been made, click on the
OK button.
12. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the
Yes button.
13. Next press the
Apply button and then the
OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
Keep your Java, Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Up to Date
Older versions of these programs can contain security vulnerabilities. It is very important to keep them updated.
Update and Run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Scan your computer with this program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software making sure you update definitions each time you scan.
To simplify making sure you have the latest version of many of your security programs and applications, you may want to consider:
Secunia's Personal Software Inspector (PSI). It is a free utility that scans your computer for installed applications and checks to see if they have the latest security patches and updates. If it finds any applications with possible security issues, links and/or instructions are provided for the necessariy updates.
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.
I would suggest you read:
Tony Klein's excellent article:
How I got Infected in the First Place
PC Safety and Security–What Do I Need?
How to Prevent Malware
Good luck & Happy surfing!
