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I have that Ipassit.biz hijacker

4 min read

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Post #1
I read a post about a month ago on how someone got rid of this thing (she got it around the same time that I did) but I still can't figure out how to get rid of it. Here is my HijackThis Log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:36:00 AM, on 6/6/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ofcdog.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Services\{60793260-C797-4A94-AC83-FBBCA150359F}\SVCHOST.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\wwrip\WWRIP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\udro\aesu.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\wwrip\printspooler.exe
C:\Program Files\HTS\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.startsearches.net/bar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ipassist.biz/index.php?id=186
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.startsearches.net/
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe, msmsgs.exe
O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFA} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hp63EF.tmp
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OfficeScanNT Monitor] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe" -HideWindow
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Service Host] C:\WINDOWS\System32\Services\{60793260-C797-4A94-AC83-FBBCA150359F}\SVCHOST.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Security iGuard] C:\Program Files\Security iGuard\Security iGuard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSN Messenger] C:\WINDOWS\System32\msmsgs.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NVMCTRAY.DLL,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Cobl] C:\WINDOWS\System32\t?skmgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Intel system tool] C:\WINDOWS\System32\winnook.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aaee] C:\Program Files\udro\aesu.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.mt-download.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.windupdates.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.mt-download.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.windupdates.com (HKLM)
O15 - Trusted IP range: [removed] (HKLM)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: drct16 - drct16.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: OfficeScanNT RealTime Scan (ntrtscan) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: OfficeScanNT Listener (tmlisten) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe

As you can see, the main problem is with the ipassit thing and the starsearches thing.
I can check and fix the boxes by these two all day long and they just keep coming back. They've taken over pretty bad, to where all kinds of random words on every site have been transformed into links to ipassit and even a lot of existing links have been re-routed to ipassit. Not to mention they create tons of popup ads and take over my homepage. I wonder why people who force ads for antivirus products by using viruses don't get in trouble with the law. Can they not be identified or something? Just seems like that should be illegal. I really don't know a whole lot about getting rid of viruses, and they frustrate me to no end so if anyone can help me get rid of this thing I would be very greatfull.
Post #2
Please download and run CWShredder. Make sure that all browser windows are closed with the exception of Cwshredder and choose FIX.

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/Popu…WShredder.shtml

REBOOT


Please download and run (latest version 1.4) Spybot Search & Destroy and AdAware. Then follow the instructions in the links below to run.

Spybot Tutorial

AdAware Tutorial



Please do an online scan,

Panda >>> http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/co…n_principal.htm

Make sure that you choose "fix" or "clean".

Reboot and post a new HiJackThis log by clicking on "add reply" at the bottom right.

If any of the scans lock up please boot to safe mode and try them.
Post #3
Ok, I scanned with CWShredder, Spybot, Adware and Panda. Here is the updated HijackThis Log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 7:50:25 AM, on 6/7/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ofcdog.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Services\{60793260-C797-4A94-AC83-FBBCA150359F}\SVCHOST.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\t?skmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\udro\aesu.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\HTS\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.startsearches.net/bar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ipassist.biz/index.php?id=186
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.startsearches.net/
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFA} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hp63EF.tmp
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OfficeScanNT Monitor] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe" -HideWindow
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Service Host] C:\WINDOWS\System32\Services\{60793260-C797-4A94-AC83-FBBCA150359F}\SVCHOST.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Security iGuard] C:\Program Files\Security iGuard\Security iGuard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSN Messenger] C:\WINDOWS\System32\msmsgs.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NVMCTRAY.DLL,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Cobl] C:\WINDOWS\System32\t?skmgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Intel system tool] C:\WINDOWS\System32\winnook.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aaee] C:\Program Files\udro\aesu.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.windupdates.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.windupdates.com (HKLM)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: drct16 - drct16.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: OfficeScanNT RealTime Scan (ntrtscan) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: OfficeScanNT Listener (tmlisten) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe
Post #4
Scan with hijackthis and put a check beside these lines and choose FIX

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.startsearches.net/bar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ipassist.biz/index.php?id=186
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.startsearches.net/search.php?qq=%1
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = http://www.startsearches.net/

O2 - BHO: VMHomepage Class - {FFFFFFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-FFFFFFFFFFFA} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\hp63EF.tmp

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Cobl] C:\WINDOWS\System32\t?skmgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Intel system tool] C:\WINDOWS\System32\winnook.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aaee] C:\Program Files\udro\aesu.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.windupdates.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.windupdates.com (HKLM)

O20 - Winlogon Notify: drct16 - drct16.dll (file missing)

Then reboot and post a new log please.
Post #5
Ok, it got rid of those but it looks like one ipassit thing is still left. Here's my new log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 6:22:56 AM, on 6/8/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ofcdog.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\Services\{60793260-C797-4A94-AC83-FBBCA150359F}\SVCHOST.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\HTS\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ipassist.biz/index.php?id=186
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OfficeScanNT Monitor] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe" -HideWindow
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Service Host] C:\WINDOWS\System32\Services\{60793260-C797-4A94-AC83-FBBCA150359F}\SVCHOST.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Security iGuard] C:\Program Files\Security iGuard\Security iGuard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSN Messenger] C:\WINDOWS\System32\msmsgs.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NVMCTRAY.DLL,NvTaskbarInit
O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: OfficeScanNT RealTime Scan (ntrtscan) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: OfficeScanNT Listener (tmlisten) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe
Post #6
Boot to safe mode (tap f8 while bios loads) open CWshredder and click on fix. Then scan with hijackthis and put a check beside this line and choose FIX

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ipassist.biz/index.php?id=186

Reboot to normal mode and post a new log please.
Post #7
Ok good! Wow! That finally got it! Geez! Sorry it took so long to post this, but starting about two or three days ago I could not even get to the forums page here and I'll bet that stupid virus was the cause. It kept failing to load the page or redirecting me to some strange search engine page instead. Had to copy the address to this page and go use the internet on a different computer just to read that last step you posted. Very frustrating! But yeah, that last step took care of it and my internet is back to normal. Here's what the new and improved log looks like: Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1 Scan saved at 11:08:00 AM, on 6/10/2005 Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106) Running processes: C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ofcdog.exe C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntupd.exe C:\wwrip\WWRIP.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe C:\wwrip\printspooler.exe C:\Program Files\HTS\HijackThis.exe O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMONTRAY] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imontray.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OfficeScanNT Monitor] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\pccntmon.exe" -HideWindow O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Service Host] C:\WINDOWS\System32\Services\{60793260-C797-4A94-AC83-FBBCA150359F}\SVCHOST.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Security iGuard] C:\Program Files\Security iGuard\Security iGuard.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSN Messenger] C:\WINDOWS\System32\msmsgs.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NVMCTRAY.DLL,NvTaskbarInit O23 - Service: Intel® Active Monitor (imonNT) - Intel Corp. - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel® Active Monitor\imonnt.exe O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe (file missing) O23 - Service: OfficeScanNT RealTime Scan (ntrtscan) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\ntrtscan.exe O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe O23 - Service: OfficeScanNT Listener (tmlisten) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\OfficeScan Client\tmlisten.exe Thank you very, very, very much for helping me with this! I know viruses like this are probably not even considered a dangerous threat and it's probably laughably easy for you to get rid of, but these things frustrate me like crazy. I feel a lot better about taking them on now and a liitle more confident in at least knowing where to begin on getting rid of little viruses like this. I'm extremely glad I came across this website. I was beginning to think that getting pesky viruses like this would mean taking it into the repair shop every time. Thank you once again for all your time and help! -Joe Sierakowski
Post #8
Glad we could help. These things are nasty and are getting worse all of the time. In many cases repair shops will tell you that they need to re-install your OS. In most cases this is not required unless your system is so bad off it is not even functioning.

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
  • Use an 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.

    See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:

    Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources

  • Update your AntiVirus Software - 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 and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

    For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:

    Understanding and Using Firewalls

  • 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.

  • Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers

  • Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. ou should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer

  • Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware

  • Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

Glad I was able to help

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