waterfalls
Hi,
You're quite welcome! Your log looks clean. I would like to point out that your HijackThis log did not show Limewire after you said you uninstalled Limewire. It is, however, now showing as a running process. I, therefore, am assuming that you have installed the "clean" version - see, Clean/Infected P2P Programs. Please be careful about what you download. Files from p2p sites are notorious for being bundled with spyware - of which I am sure you are now aware.
• Please set your system to hide system files.
- Click Start.
- Open My Computer.
- Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
- Select the View Tab. Under the Hidden files and folders heading, uncheck Show hidden files and folders.
- Check: Hide file extensions for known file types
- Check the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
- Click Yes to confirm.
- Click OK.
• If you have not done so, please empty your Recycle Bin.
• Create a new Restore Point:
- Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.
- When the utility opens, select "Create a new restore point" and click Next
- Name the restore point - something like "After infection cleaned" or "After cleaning"
- Click Create.
• Delete the old Restore Points:
- Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup. Click Ok.
- Click the "More Options" tab.
- Where it states "System Restore" - click Clean up.
- All of the old Restore Points will be deleted EXCEPT for the one you just created.
Reboot your computer!
• To keep this clean in the future, I would suggest the following things:
• Install Spywareblaster. SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for so-called spyware but prevents it from being installed in the first place. It blocks the popular spyware ActiveX controls and also prevents the installation of any of them via a webpage. Update it periodically.
• Continue to use ATF Cleaner
This is a good program for periodically cleaning your system.
When you do use it, do NOT select "Prefetch" as you've cleaned that once which is sufficient.
* Avoid illegal sites because that's where most malware is present.
* Don't click on links inside pop-ups.
* Don't click on links in spam messages claiming to offer anti-spyware software because most of these so-called removers ARE spyware.
* Download free software only from sites you know and trust because a lot of free software can bundle other software, including spyware.
• Let your anti-spyware scanner(s) scan frequently and don't forget to update before scanning.
• I suggest you perform an online virus-scan once in a while (Housecall and/or Bitdefender) because what one virus-scanner can't find, another one maybe can.
Also, make sure that your virus-scanner, the one that is already installed on your system, is always up to date!
• Make sure your Windows has the latest updates by going here.
• Consider switching to Mozilla Firefox.
This browser is considered to be far more secure than Internet Explorer and offers improved pop-up blocking. If you do decide to install Firefox, please read Switching from IE to Firefox.
• More information on how to prevent malware can be found at So how did I get infected in the first place? by Tony Klein and Malware Prevention: Prevent Re-infection.
Happy surfing again!
You're quite welcome! Your log looks clean. I would like to point out that your HijackThis log did not show Limewire after you said you uninstalled Limewire. It is, however, now showing as a running process. I, therefore, am assuming that you have installed the "clean" version - see, Clean/Infected P2P Programs. Please be careful about what you download. Files from p2p sites are notorious for being bundled with spyware - of which I am sure you are now aware.
• Please set your system to hide system files.
- Click Start.
- Open My Computer.
- Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
- Select the View Tab. Under the Hidden files and folders heading, uncheck Show hidden files and folders.
- Check: Hide file extensions for known file types
- Check the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
- Click Yes to confirm.
- Click OK.
• If you have not done so, please empty your Recycle Bin.
• Create a new Restore Point:
- Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.
- When the utility opens, select "Create a new restore point" and click Next
- Name the restore point - something like "After infection cleaned" or "After cleaning"
- Click Create.
• Delete the old Restore Points:
- Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup. Click Ok.
- Click the "More Options" tab.
- Where it states "System Restore" - click Clean up.
- All of the old Restore Points will be deleted EXCEPT for the one you just created.
Reboot your computer!
• To keep this clean in the future, I would suggest the following things:
• Install Spywareblaster. SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for so-called spyware but prevents it from being installed in the first place. It blocks the popular spyware ActiveX controls and also prevents the installation of any of them via a webpage. Update it periodically.
• Continue to use ATF Cleaner
This is a good program for periodically cleaning your system.
When you do use it, do NOT select "Prefetch" as you've cleaned that once which is sufficient.
* Avoid illegal sites because that's where most malware is present.
* Don't click on links inside pop-ups.
* Don't click on links in spam messages claiming to offer anti-spyware software because most of these so-called removers ARE spyware.
* Download free software only from sites you know and trust because a lot of free software can bundle other software, including spyware.
• Let your anti-spyware scanner(s) scan frequently and don't forget to update before scanning.
• I suggest you perform an online virus-scan once in a while (Housecall and/or Bitdefender) because what one virus-scanner can't find, another one maybe can.
Also, make sure that your virus-scanner, the one that is already installed on your system, is always up to date!
• Make sure your Windows has the latest updates by going here.
• Consider switching to Mozilla Firefox.
This browser is considered to be far more secure than Internet Explorer and offers improved pop-up blocking. If you do decide to install Firefox, please read Switching from IE to Firefox.
• More information on how to prevent malware can be found at So how did I get infected in the first place? by Tony Klein and Malware Prevention: Prevent Re-infection.
Happy surfing again!
