4 replies to this topic

[WanderingWendy]

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:23:42 AM, on 5/11/2006
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\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Netscape Internet Service\ncupdatesvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\gpkrkpi.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\Program Files\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.emachines.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://69.42.87.219/sidesearch.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe C:\WINDOWS\Nail.exe
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunKistEM] C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\shwiconem.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [D-Link AirPlus XtremeG] C:\Program Files\D-Link\AirPlus XtremeG\AirPlusCFG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sysnet] C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\sysnet.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dinst] C:\WINDOWS\dinst.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [uhnkcem] C:\WINDOWS\System32\gpkrkpi.exe r
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [sf] C:\Program Files\sf\sf.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [sysmonnt] C:\WINDOWS\System32\sysmonnt
O4 - Startup: wkcalrem.LNK = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkCalRem.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Add animation to IncrediMail Style Box - C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\bin\resources\WebMenuImg.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AOL Toolbar search - res://C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll/SEARCH.HTML
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.emachines.com
O16 - DPF: {F00F4763-7355-4725-82F7-0DA94A256D46} (IncrediMail) - http://www5.incredim...p1/imloader.cab
O18 - Filter: text/html - {994D478A-45D0-4DB4-AE77-288B1E346E99} - C:\Program Files\FCAdvice\FCAdvice.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: Runner.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: Control Panel - C:\WINDOWS\system32\jr4025hmg.dll
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Netscape Update Service (NCUpdateSvc) - Netscape Communications Corporation - C:\Program Files\Netscape Internet Service\ncupdatesvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel® Corporation - c:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: System Startup Service (SvcProc) - Unknown owner - c:\windows\SvcProc.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service (SymWSC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
O23 - Service: Windows Overlay Components - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\apywbuz.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Windows VisFx Components - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\lwuisvc.exe (file missing)




Thank You for any help you can give

[Piatan]

Hi WanderingWendy:

Please print, or copy and paste this text into a Notepad file and place it on your desktop, to review as you work. It is very important that you proceed carefully with this fix, in the order provided below and do not change the order when running the programs/fixes.

BEFORE beginning, Please read completely through the instructions below and download the files from the links provided.

First,
Please download Look2Me-Destroyer.exe to your desktop.

Please use this link:
http://www.atribune....ontent/view/28/

* Close all windows and browsers, before continuing.
* Double-click Look2Me-Destroyer.exe to run it.
* Put a check next to Run this program as a task.
* You will receive a message saying Look2Me-Destroyer will close and re-open in approximately 10 seconds. Click OK
* When Look2Me-Destroyer re-opens, click the Scan for L2M button, your desktop icons will disappear, this is normal.
* Once it's done scanning, click the Remove L2M button.
* You will receive a Done Scanning message, click OK.
* When completed, you will receive this message: Done removing infected files! Look2Me-Destroyer will now shutdown your computer, click OK.
* Your computer will then shutdown.
* Turn your computer back on.

If you receive a message from your firewall about this program accessing the internet please allow it.

If you receive a runtime error '339' please download MSWINSCK.OCX from the link below and place it in your C:\Windows\System32 Directory.
http://www.ascentive...ib/MSWINSCK.OCX
http://www.ascentive...me=MSWINSCK.OCX


Next:

Please download CWShredder, from one of the following sites.
http://www.trendmicr.../cwshredder.exe
http://www.majorgeek...dder_d3019.html
http://intermute.com...r_download.html

First, be sure to update CWShredder.
Then close every window, disconnect from Internet and doubleclick the CWShredder icon on your Desktop.
Click Fix and then Next, let it fix everything it asks about.
Then, please reboot.

Note: CWShredder will likely tell you that nothing was found. That is an oddity with the program and should be ignored.


Next:

Download Ewido Security Suite.

Next, download Lavasoft's Ad-Aware and the VX2 Cleaner Plug-in. Install Ad-Aware using the default options, then install vx2cleaner_inst.exe, taking all the defaults there as well.

Run Ad-Aware, update to the latest definitions, then click on Add-ons in the lefthand column. Select VX2 Cleaner V2.0 and click Run Tool. Click "OK", then, if something is found, click "Clean" as in the directions given. Click "Close", and exit Ad-Aware.

Reboot your PC and run Ad-Aware again. This time, click on the Start button in Ad-Aware, select "Perform smart system scan" and click Next. Once the scan finishes, click "Next" again. Select all objects found (right click anywhere in the list of found objects and click "Select All Objects"). Click "Next" one more time, then "OK" to confirm the removal.

You will be prompted to set Ad-Aware to run on reboot, click "OK". Exit Ad-Aware and restart your PC once again.

When Ad-Aware starts up, click on "Start", then "Next". Follow the steps above if anything is found, or click "Finish", then exit Ad-Aware.

For a final cleanup, please install and run Ewido.

• When installing, under "Additional Options" uncheck "Install background guard" and "Install scan via context menu".
• When you run ewido for the first time, you may get a warning "Database could not be found!". Click OK. We will fix this in a moment.
• From the main ewido screen, click on update in the left menu, then click the Start update button.
• After the update finishes (the status bar at the bottom will display "Update successful")
• Click on the Scanner button in the left menu, then click on Complete System Scan. This scan can take quite a while to run.
• If ewido finds anything, it will pop up a notification. We have been finding some cases of false positives with the new version of Ewido, so we need to step through the fixes one-by-one. If Ewido finds something that you KNOW is legitimate (for example, parts of AVG Antivirus, pcAnywhere and the game "Risk" have been flagged), select "none" as the action. DO NOT check "Perform action with all infections". If you are unsure of an entry, select "none" for the time being. I'll see that in the log you will post later and let you know if ewido needs to be run again.
• When the scan finishes, click on "Save Report". This will create a text file. Make sure you know where to find this file again.

Then, please reboot.

Next:

Please give special attention to the directions in RED.

Please set your system to show all files; please see here if you're unsure how to do this.


Disable Ewido:
Please disable Ewido, as it may interfere with the fix.[br]To disable Ewido:
From the system tray:

• Right-click the system tray icon and uncheck real time protection.
  or From within Ewido -
• Under 'Your security status', if the real time protection is active, deactivate it by clicking 'real time protection' until the status says 'inactive'.

Once your log is clean you can re-enable Ewido.

Next:

Close all Windows and browsers, leaving only HijackThis running.

Place a check against each of the following, if still present.

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://69.42.87.219/sidesearch.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = about:blank
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sysnet] C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\sysnet.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dinst] C:\WINDOWS\dinst.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [uhnkcem] C:\WINDOWS\System32\gpkrkpi.exe r
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [sf] C:\Program Files\sf\sf.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [sysmonnt] C:\WINDOWS\System32\sysmonnt
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: Runner.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: Control Panel - C:\WINDOWS\system32\jr4025hmg.dll
O23 - Service: System Startup Service (SvcProc) - Unknown owner - c:\windows\SvcProc.exe
O23 - Service: Windows Overlay Components - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\apywbuz.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Windows VisFx Components - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\lwuisvc.exe (file missing)

Then, click on FIX CHECKED

Reboot into Safe Mode: please see here if you are not sure how to do this.

Using Windows Explorer, locate the following files/folders shown DARK and delete them, if still present:

C:\DOCUME~1\Owner\LOCALS~1\Temp\sysnet.exe

c:\windows\SvcProc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\dinst.exe
C:\WINDOWS\apywbuz.exe
C:\WINDOWS\lwuisvc.exe

C:\WINDOWS\System32\sysmonnt
C:\WINDOWS\system32\jr4025hmg.dll
C:\WINDOWS\System32\gpkrkpi.exe r

C:\Program Files\sf\sf.exe

Exit Explorer, enable hidden files and reboot as normal.
If you were unable to find, or delete any of the files then please follow these additional instructions:
Download Pocket Killbox and unzip it; save it to your Desktop.
Run it, and click the radio button that says Delete a file on reboot. For each of the files you could not delete, paste them one at a time into the full path of file to delete box and click the red circle with a white cross in it.
The program will ask you if you want to reboot; say No each time until the last one has been pasted in whereupon you should answer Yes.
Let the system reboot.

Please post the contents of C:\Look2Me-Destroyer.txt, the Ewido scan and a new HiJackThis log into this topic.

Please advise if any problems remain.

Please use the button to reply.

[WanderingWendy]

I'm so sorry I didn't reply sooner, great help, I just had to go out of town for work before I could finish it!

This is the ewido log (I have no idea why it says it was created in
june
0

---------------------------------------------------------
ewido anti-malware - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 7:01:59 PM, 6/19/2006
+ Report-Checksum: 87C7ACC0

+ Scan result:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{F5DE8ADB-4A69-4e56-96AB-823171C8E9D8} -> Adware.Generic : Cleaned without backup
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\\{7FD44536-9DF0-4034-939F-5BD4D98E3187} -> Adware.Generic : Cleaned without backup
HKU\S-1-5-21-1292687511-747159777-2623369932-1003\Software\aurora -> Adware.BetterInternet : Cleaned without backup
[580] C:\WINDOWS\System32\mvkobc.exe -> Trojan.Agent.ay : Cleaned without backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@ad.yieldmanager[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Yieldmanager : Cleaned without backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@bestoffersnetworks[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Bestoffersnetworks : Cleaned without backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Cookies\owner@cliks[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Cliks : Cleaned without backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temp\temp.frF4FC -> Adware.Look2Me : Cleaned without backup
C:\Program Files\TBONAS\TBONcomp.dll -> Adware.ActivShopper : Cleaned without backup
C:\Program Files\TBONAS\TBONlchr.dll -> Adware.ActivShopper : Cleaned without backup
C:\WINDOWS\system32\mvkobc.exe -> Trojan.Agent.ay : Cleaned without backup


::Report End



this is the HJT Log

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 7:32:52 PM, on 6/19/2006
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\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Netscape Internet Service\ncupdatesvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\shwiconem.exe
C:\Program Files\D-Link\AirPlus XtremeG\AirPlusCFG.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkCalRem.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\Program Files\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.emachines.com
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunKistEM] C:\Program Files\Digital Media Reader\shwiconem.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [D-Link AirPlus XtremeG] C:\Program Files\D-Link\AirPlus XtremeG\AirPlusCFG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ymetray] "C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Yahoo! Music Engine\YahooMusicEngine.exe" -preload
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - Startup: wkcalrem.LNK = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkCalRem.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Add animation to IncrediMail Style Box - C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\bin\resources\WebMenuImg.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AOL Toolbar search - res://C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll/SEARCH.HTML
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.emachines.com
O16 - DPF: {F00F4763-7355-4725-82F7-0DA94A256D46} (IncrediMail) - http://www5.incredim...p1/imloader.cab
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Netscape Update Service (NCUpdateSvc) - Netscape Communications Corporation - C:\Program Files\Netscape Internet Service\ncupdatesvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel® Corporation - c:\Program Files\Intel\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service (SymWSC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe



I can't seem to find the look 2 me destroyer text but it seems to have worked

I don't seem to be have any more problems. pop ups seem to be gone!

[Piatan]

Hi WanderingWendy:

Right click on your Task Bar (by your Clock), to reset the time and date. That's where the problem is, with the month showing June on your logs.

I see your Sun Java is outdated. I strongly recommend you update.

1. Click Start > Control Panel double-click on the Java Icon (coffee cup) in the Control Panel.
2. It will say "Java Plug-in" under the icon.
Please find the update button or tab in the Java Control Panel. Update your Java then reboot.
3. If you are unable to update you can manually update by going here:
http://www.java.com/...load/manual.jsp

Your Hijack This log looks to be clean. Good to hear the problems are gone.

One of the best features of Windows XP is the System Restore option, however if Malware infects a computer with this operating system the Malware can be backed up in the System Restore folder. Therefore, clearing the restore points is necessary after a virus removal.

To reset your restore points, please note that you will need to log into your computer with an account which has full administrator access. You will know if the account has administrator access because you will be able to see the System Restore tab. If the tab is missing, you are logged in under a limited account.

(winXP)

1. Turn off System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.

2. Reboot.

3. Turn ON System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
UN-Check *Turn off System Restore*.
Click Apply, and then click OK.


Here are a few tips that will keep your PC much safer on the Internet.

How did I get infected in the first place?

You usually get infected because your security settings are too low.

Here are a number of recommendations that will help tighten them, and which will contribute to making you a less likely victim:

1.) Watch what you download!
Many freeware programs, and P2P programs like Grokster, Imesh, Kazaa and others are amongst the most notorious, come with an enormous amount of bundled spyware that will eat system resources, slow down your system, clash with other installed software, or just plain crash your browser or even Windows itself. If you insist on using a P2P program, please read This Article written by Mike Healan of Spywareinfo.com fame. It is an updated and comprehensive article that gives in-depth detail about which P2P programs are "safe" to use.

2.) Go to Internet Explorer > Tools > Windows Update > Product Updates, and install ALL High-Priority Security Updates listed.
If you're running Windows XP, that of course includes the Service Pack 2! If you suspect your computer is infected with Malware of any type, we advise you to not install SP2 if you don't already have it. You can post a HijackThis log on our Forums to get free Expert help cleaning your machine. Once you are sure you have a clean system, it is highly recommended to install SP2 to help prevent against future infections.

It's important to always keep current with the latest security fixes from Microsoft.
Install those patches for Internet Explorer, and make sure your installation of Java VM is up-to-date. There are some well known security bugs with Microsoft Java VM which are exploited regularly by browser hijackers.

3.) Open Internet Explorer and go to Internet Options > Security > Internet, then press "Default Level", then OK.

• Now press "Custom Level."

In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable".

Now you will be asked whether you want ActiveX objects to be executed and whether you want software to be installed.
Sites that you know for sure are above suspicion can be moved to the Trusted Zone in Internet Option > Security.

So why is ActiveX so dangerous that you have to increase the security for it?
When your browser runs an activex control, it is running an executable program. It's no different from doubleclicking an exe file on your hard drive.
Would you run just any random file downloaded off a web site without knowing what it is and what it does?

4.) Install Javacool's SpywareBlaster

It will protect you from most spy/foistware in it's database by blocking installation of their ActiveX objects.

Download and install, download the latest updates, and you'll see a list of all spyware programs covered by the program (NOTE: this is NOT spyware found on your computer)
Press "Enable All Protection", and you're done.
The spyware that you told Spywareblaster to set the "kill bit" for won't be a hazard to you any longer.
Although it won't protect you from every form of spyware known to man, it is a very potent extra layer of protection.
Don't forget to check for updates every week or so.

5.) Let's also not forget that Spybot Search & Destroy has the Immunize feature which works roughly the same way. Another feature within Spybot is the TeaTimer option. This option immediately detects known malicious processes wanting to start and terminates them. TeaTimer also detects when something wants to change some critical registry keys and gives you an option to allow them or not.
Reboot, after using.

A companion Program is Ad-Aware SE, which is highly recommended.
Download the new Ad-Aware SE version, and follow the instructions on how to do a full scan: Always update before using.
http://forums.spywar...showtopic=11150
-reboot after using Ad-Aware SE.

6.) Microsoft now offers their own free malicious software blocking tool. Windows Defender. (Not compatible with Windows 98 and ME.)

7.) Another excellent program by Javacool we recommend is SpywareGuard.
It provides a degree of real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method.

8.) IE-SPYAD puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone, so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all. Another good hosts program is mvpshosts. This little program packs a powerful punch as it block 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.

*It is important to note that all of the above programs/files can be run simultaneously on your system. They will work together in layers, so to speak, to help protect your computer. However, the following suggestions are designed to only run one of each. It is not a good idea to run more than one firewall, and one anti-virus program. Running more than one of these at a time can cause system crashes, high system usage and/or conflicts with each other.*

9.) It is critical that you use a firewall to protect your computer from hackers. We don't recommend the firewall that comes built in to Windows. It doesn't block everything that may try to get in, and the entire firewall is written to the registry. As various kinds of malware hack the Registry in order to disable the Windows firewall, it's far preferable to install one of the excellent third party solutions. Three good ones that are freeware to boot are ZoneAlarm, Kerioand Sygate

10.) An Anti-Virus product is a necessity. There are many excellent programs that you can purchase. However, we choose to advocate the use of free programs whenever possible. Some very good and easy-to-use free A/V programs are AVG, Avast, and AntiVir. It's a good idea to set these to receive automatic updates so you are always as fully protected as possible from the newest virus threats.

11.) Finally, after following up on all these recommendations, why not run Jason Levine's Browser Security Tests
They will provide you with an insight on how vulnerable you might still be to a number of common exploits.

And also see TonyKlein's good advice
http://castlecops.co...tlite7736-.html
So how did I get infected in the first place?

Thought about trying a safer browser, for surfing the Internet ?
Please use the following link to download the Firefox browser.
http://www.mozilla.org/

Safe surfing.

[Piatan]

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Coyote's Installed programs for prevention:

http://forums.tomcoy...showtopic=31418

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