Infected Computer

Hi dfkelly,
 

Is it normal to have the previous versions on the computer as you uninstall later versions?

Honestly, I don't know. But it would stand to reason since MS won't let you remove IE, it would roll back a the previous version.

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[external image: bullseye_zpse9eaf36e.gif] Reboot in Safe Mode using the F8 Method:

• Restart your computer.
• When the computer starts you will see your computer's hardware being listed. When you see this information start to gently tap the F8 key repeatedly until you are presented with the Windows 7 Advanced Boot Options.
• Select the Safe Mode with Networking option using the arrow keys.
• Then press the enter key on your keyboard to boot into Windows 7 Safe Mode with Networking.
• When Windows starts you will be at a typical logon screen. Logon to your computer and Windows 7 will enter Safe mode.

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Download Tweaking.com Windows Repair from here or here and save it to your desktop.

• Windows XP : Double click on the icon to run it.
• Windows Vista, Windows 7 & 8 : Right click and select "Run as Administrator"

Once the program opens you will be at the Welcome tab.

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Step 5: Create a System Restore Point & Create a Registry Back-up

Create a Restore Point:

• Select the Create button to create a new restore point
• Wait, confirmation will be displayed below the Restore button

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Back-up the Registry:

• Select the Back-up button,Tweaking.com Registry Back-up window will open and begin the back-up
• It will close automatically. (that's normal)

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Step: Start Repairs

Select the Start button to continue, the window below will open.

Repair Window settings

In the Repair Options window, place a check mark next to the following items: (not select all)

• Repair WMI
• Repair Internet Explorer
• Remove Policies Set By Infections
• Repair Windows Updates
• Repair MSI (Windows Installer)
• Restore Important Windows Services
• Set Windows Services To Default Startup

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• Locate the Restart/Shutdown System when Finished, select the box, then choose Restart System
• Click the Start button, a DOS window will/may appear during the repair process.
• Acknowledge the System reboot when finished

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Log files can be located by going to the Settings tab in the Windows Repair program and clicking the Open Log Folder button
The default location for the logs is : C:\Program Files (x86)\Tweaking.com\Windows Repair (All in One)\Logs\

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[external image: bullseye_zpse9eaf36e.gif] Reboot back into Normal Mode

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Try and reinstall Internet Explorer

In your next post please provide the following:

• Windows Repair Log (default location listed above)
• Update on progress.

I was unable to install IE 11 after going through the prescribed steps.

 

By the way, I uninstalled IE11 leaving IE8 in its place.  IE8 seems to be working okay.

 

Does my computer still have any viruses, etc?

Hi dfkelly,

I apologize for the delay in my reply.

Your computer does appears to be clean of viruses.

Do you have Windows set to do automatic updates?

You can use automatic updates to install IE for you and see if that will install successfully.

Glad to hear about being virus free.  thanks for your help on that.

I do have automatic Windows update set, so I will see what happens at next update - which I think is tonight.

  keep me posted.

OC, I was able to install IE 10 and get it working.  I will keep my fingers crossed when auto update installs IE 11.

Otherwise, the computer is working pretty well.  It still takes two minutes to start up, so if you have any recommendations on how to improve performance, I will gladly listen.

Hi dfkelly,

  If you like I can keep the thread open until your computer updates to IE11. Otherwise here is some housekeeping to remove the tools we used and some additional suggestions to help keep you malware free moving forward.
 

It still takes two minutes to start up, so if you have any recommendations on how to improve performance, I will gladly listen.

Here is a link that has some basic suggestions to help speed up your computer.

http://www.malwareremoval.com/tutorials/runningslowly.php

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[external image: bullseye_zpse9eaf36e.gif] Remove Disinfection Tools

• Download Delfix
• Tick the following boxes:
  • Remove disinfection tools
  • Create registry backup
  • Purge system restore
  [external image: Delfix_zpsbce6c60b.gif]
• Click Run
• Any other tools and files found can simply be deleted or uninstall via the Control Panel.

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With the above items taken care of let's move on to the All Clean part of the process.

The following procedures are recommendations for helping to keep your system running smoothly. If you are currently satisfied with how your system is running some or all of these may not pertain to you. Implement what you need.

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.

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:

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 Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
• Change the Navigate windows and 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.

Make your Mozilla Firefox more secure - This can be done by adding these add-ons:

• NoScript
• AdBlockPlus

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.

Free Anti-Virus

• Avast Free Antivirus
• Avira Free Antivirus 2013
• PC Tools AntiVirus Free
• Ad-Aware Free Antivirus +

Free 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.

• Online Armor Free
• Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free
• Comodo Firewall

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Be prepared for CryptoLocker:

Cryptolocker Ransomware: What You Need To Know
CryptoLocker Ransomware Information Guide and FAQ

to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free program:

CryptoPrevent install this program to lock down and prevent crypto-ransomeware

[external image: CryptoPrevent_zps7ddc3ebd.jpg]

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COMPUTER SECURITY - a short guide to staying safer online

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WOT Web of Trust, warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. Protect your computer against online threats by using WOT as your front-line layer of protection when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites - green to go, yellow for caution and red to stop, helping you avoid the dangerous sites. WOT has an addon available for both Firefox and IE.

• Green should be good to go
• Yellow for caution
• Red to stop

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P2P may be a great way to get lots of stuffs, but it is a great way to get infected as well. There's no way to tell if the file being shared is infected. Worse still, some worms spread via P2P networks, infecting you as well.

Please read these short reports on the dangers of peer-2-peer programs and file sharing.

• FBI Cyber Education Letter
• USAToday
• infoworld

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Make sure you keep your Windows OS current.

• Windows XP:
  Microsoft will no longer offer support for Windows XP beginning on April 8, 2014
  If you are running Windows XP, please take the time to read the information provided at these links.
  • Windows XP - The Elephant In The Room
  • Windows XP - The end of the road
• 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.
• Window 8 Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), tapping or clicking Settings, tapping or clicking Change PC settings, and then tapping or clicking Update and recovery.

Without these you are leaving the back door open.

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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.

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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.

OCD, great info.  Thanks.  IE11 has not automatically downloaded and installed, yet.  [Actually, my computer has been turned off the last couple nights, so it may happen tonight.] 

Still using IE10 without any hitches.

I will let you know when IE11 makes it appearance.