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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

Looking Into Some Performance Issues

9 min read

This thread's last reply is from . Advice, software, and links below may be out of date — treat specific steps and download links with caution.

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Post #1
Read through the self help and did as instructed. ( Spybot, AFT cleaner, reboot, prior to HJT)
Wasn't sure about running AVG since I'm already running McAfee (which is available through my ISP) Also never knew about not using Ad-aware with McAfee. Should I uninstall Ad-aware?

I know this is an older pc and could use more Ram but was hoping to get some more consistant performance.


Thanks

`````````````````````````````````

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:31:16 PM, on 4/8/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2

(6.00.2900.2180)

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\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.ex

e
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft

Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\Mpf

Service.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Common

Files\Logitech\QCDriver\LVCOMS.EXE
C:\Program

Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program

Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\Mpf

Tray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common

Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Comcast\COMCAS~2\data\xtr

as\mssysmgr.exe
C:\Program

Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\1.2.1128.5

462\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\Mpf

Agent.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
C:\hjt\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet

Explorer\Main,Start Page =

http://www.yahoo.com/?p=1155505874
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet

Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet

Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R3 - URLSearchHook: &Yahoo! Toolbar -

{EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88

} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper -

{06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3

} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat

7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download

Protection -

{4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2

} - C:\Program

Files\SpywareGuard\dlprotect.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) -

{53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} -

C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class -

{761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D4

3} - C:\Program

Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper -

{AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7}

- c:\program files\google\googletoolbar4.dll
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan -

{BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} -

c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google -

{2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}

- c:\program files\google\googletoolbar4.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv]

c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard]

C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray]

C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SiSPower] Rundll32.exe

SiSPower.dll,ModeAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG]

AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LSBWatcher]

c:\hp\drivers\hplsbwatcher\lsburnwatcher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMS] C:\Program

Files\Common

Files\Logitech\QCDriver\LVCOMS.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup]

C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPD

ATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched]

"C:\Program

Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task]

"C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe"

-atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [REGSHAVE] C:\Program

Files\REGSHAVE\REGSHAVE.EXE

/AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask]

"C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.

exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online]

C:\Program

Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program

Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe]

c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe]

C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\McUpdate.e

xe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe]

C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\Mpf

Tray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program

Files\Common

Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe]

C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Simple Star PhotoShow

Media Manager]

C:\PROGRA~1\SIMPLE~1\PHOTOS~1\data\

Xtras\mssysmgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PhotoShow Deluxe Media

Manager]

C:\PROGRA~1\Comcast\COMCAS~2\data\xtr

as\mssysmgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program

Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\1.2.1128.5

462\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - Startup: SpywareGuard.lnk = C:\Program

Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.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: E&xport to

Microsoft Excel -

res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\EX

CEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) -

{08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501

} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console

-

{08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501

} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research -

{92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263

} -

C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\REFIEB

AR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Messenger -

{E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96

} - C:\Program

Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger

-

{E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96

} - C:\Program

Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger -

{FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683}

- C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows

Messenger -

{FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683}

- C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF:

{406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0}

(Snapfish Activia) -

http://www1.snapfish.com/SnapfishActivia.cab
O16 - DPF:

{4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537

} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) -

http://groups.msn.com/controls/PhotoUC/MsnP

Upld.cab
O16 - DPF:

{AF2E62B6-F9E1-4D4F-A10A-9DC8E6DCBC

C0} (VideoEgg ActiveX Loader) -

http://update.videoegg.com/Install/Windows/Init

ial/VideoEggPublisher.exe
O16 - DPF:

{D4323BF2-006A-4440-A2F5-27E3E7AB25F8

} -

http://a532.g.akamai.net/f/532/6712/5m/virtools.

download.akamai.com/6712/player/install/installe

r.exe
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui -

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon -

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc)

- Google - C:\Program

Files\Google\Common\Google

Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager

(IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation -

C:\Program Files\Common

Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel

32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration

(McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program

files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield

(McShield) - McAfee Inc. -

c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler

(McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc -

c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.ex

e
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update

Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - McAfee, Inc -

C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr

.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall

Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation -

C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\Mpf

Service.exe
Post #2
Lee_ :D

Welcome to Tom Coyote Your HJT log is very difficult to read the way you posted it, do it this way.
  • Open HJT Scan and Save a Log File, it will open in Notepad
  • Go to Edit> Select All…..Edit > Copy and Paste the new log into this thread.
  • Please use [external image: Posted Image]and not [external image: Posted Image]
DO NOT have HijackThis fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless or even required.
Post #3
:blink: Sorry about that, not sure where all those spaces came from.
Here's a new HJT log file. Thanks.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 10:58:10 PM, on 4/22/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\VTTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\QCDriver\LVCOMS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Comcast\COMCAS~2\data\xtras\mssysmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\1.2.1128.5462\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
C:\hjt\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/?p=1155505874
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R3 - URLSearchHook: &Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download Protection - {4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2} - C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\dlprotect.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar4.dll
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar4.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SiSPower] Rundll32.exe SiSPower.dll,ModeAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LSBWatcher] c:\hp\drivers\hplsbwatcher\lsburnwatcher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [REGSHAVE] C:\Program Files\REGSHAVE\REGSHAVE.EXE /AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMS] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\QCDriver\LVCOMS.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PhotoShow Deluxe Media Manager] C:\PROGRA~1\Comcast\COMCAS~2\data\xtras\mssysmgr.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\1.2.1128.5462\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - Startup: SpywareGuard.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://www1.snapfish.com/SnapfishActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://groups.msn.com/controls/PhotoUC/MsnPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {AF2E62B6-F9E1-4D4F-A10A-9DC8E6DCBCC0} (VideoEgg ActiveX Loader) - http://update.videoegg.com/Install/Windows…ggPublisher.exe
O16 - DPF: {D4323BF2-006A-4440-A2F5-27E3E7AB25F8} - http://a532.g.akamai.net/f/532/6712/5m/vir…l/installer.exe
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration (McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - McAfee Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler (McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - McAfee, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
Post #4
Good Morning Lee,

Open HijackThis > Do a System Scan Only, close your browser and all open windows, the only program or window you should have open is HijackThis, check the following entries and click on Fix Checked.

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =

If you know what these two are related to and know them to be safe than keep them otherwise fix them also.
O16 - DPF: {AF2E62B6-F9E1-4D4F-A10A-9DC8E6DCBCC0} (VideoEgg ActiveX Loader) - http://update.videoegg.com/Install/Windows…ggPublisher.exe
O16 - DPF: {D4323BF2-006A-4440-A2F5-27E3E7AB25F8} - http://a532.g.akamai.net/f/532/6712/5m/vir…l/installer.exe


The rest of your log is clean and free of Malware. :thumbup: This forum is for the removal of malware and viruses only, we do not help with performance issues unless there virus related. I am posting some windows support sites that deal with those issues.

Windows Tech Support Forums
It's Not Always Malware Speedup Windows Windows Tips
How did I get infected in the first place ? Read these links and find out how to prevent getting infected again.
  • Tutorial for System Restore <– Do this first to prevent yourself from being reinfected.
  • Tom Coyote
  • TonyKlein CastleCops
  • Grinler BleepingComputer
  • Geeks To Go
  • Dslreports



Here are some free programs to install, don't leave home without them
  • Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4
    Check for Updates/ Immunize and run a Full System Scan on a regular basis.
  • Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06
    Check for Updates and run a Full System Scan on a regular basis.
  • Spyware Blaster It will prevent most spyware from ever being installed.
  • Spyware Guard It offers realtime protection from spyware installation attempts.
  • Win Patrol This program will warn you when any changes are being made to your system and give you the option to deny the change.
  • IE-Spyad
    IE-Spyad places over 4000 web sites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
  • Firefox 2.0 It has more features and is a lot more secure than IE. It is a very easy and painless download and install, it will no way interfere with IE, you can use them both.
  • Zone Alarm Here is a free Firewall from Zone Labs, I wouldn't access the internet without it.
Thanks for stopping by Tom Coyote , I'm glad I was able to help you. :D
Post #5
Had hjt fix those things, thanks so much for going over my log. Glad it's not a malware thing. From reading the topics under "It's Not Always Malware" I'm gussing that I've just not got enough memory installed for the AV , XP and all the other bits and pieces I'm running on this pc. Thanks again for sharing your expertise Cheers
Post #6
Lee,

You can right click on My Computer and then click on Properties and it will show you the amount of memory you have. They say for XP the minimum should be 256MB but it will crawl with that amount, you should have at least 512 and 1024 would be better.

You can download this free program that will give you all kinds of info on your system including the amount of memory installed and if you have any slots free to accept more.
Belarc Advisor


Then you can go here and plug in your system make and model and it will tell you how much memory can be installed on your system. I build systems and this is where I buy all mine along with the big boys like Dell and such. The prices are very good.
Crucial

Ken :D
Post #7
Thanks Ken, I downloaded and ran that Belar advisor and wow, gives you quite the snapshot of your pc. Also visted Cruical and was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the cost would be to add memory to this machine so I'm going to do it. Thanks for the nudge in that direction and the recommendation as to where to look. I so understand this board isn't for preformance issues so I really appreciate your tips and links. One last question. I read in the self help section on this forum that If I was running XP and using McAfee for my AV that I shouldn't run Ad-aware. I've never had a problem running or getting updates for Ad-aware so I was wondering what the issues were and if it's something that might be causeing conflices. I should uninstall it? Thanks again for all your time and help.
Post #9
Thanks Ken, for clearing that up and providing that link to read more. And yup, I'm using the free version of Ad-aware so I should be just be just fine. I may not be a rocket scientist but I do like to try and understand how all this protection works. I went ahead and placed an order for more memory at Crucial. And you're right, it is a inexpensive thing to up-grade these days, I had no clue it was so reasonable. Makes it sort of a no-brainer. Thanks again for your help. Cheers
Post #10 last edited
Lee,

Just follow these simple rules.

Feel free to print this out for future reference

Only have ONE Antivirus program running, with AV …MORE IS NOT BETTER.

I tend to stay away from the suites that contain the whole enchalada like a firewall, anti virus, anti spyware and such as they tend to use a ton of system resources and can bog down your system and cause you many problems. My self, I use just the stand alone version of Norton Anti Virus.


The same rule applies to a firewall, have only one. If your suite contains one then do not download another one , if you use a stand alone AV like I do, then I use the free ZoneAlarm firewall. Whatever firewall you use, you need to turn off the windows firewall which is no great program. ZoneAlarm is a two way firewall , in other words it protects what enters and leaves your computer where as the windows firewall only protects whats coming in.

Go to your control panel and switch to Classic view and go to Windows Firewall and turn it off.


You should have one good Anti Spyware program like AVG Anti Spyware, its a free download and after the trial you can keep the program , you will still be able to download updates, run scans and remove what it finds, you will just lose the background guard feature.

Here is the tutorial for it if you want to download it.

Make sure you follow these instructions correctly to Remove or Quarantine what it finds and also to save the report, without me seeing the report my hands are tied.
Download and install the 30 day trial of AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 to your desktop.
  • Once you have downloaded AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5, locate the icon on the desktop and double-click it to launch the set up program.
  • Once the setup is complete you will need run AVG and update the definition files.
  • On the main screen select the icon Update then select the Update now link.
  • Next select the Start Update button, the update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
  • Once the update has completed select the Scanner icon at the top of the screen, then select the Settings tab.
  • Once in the Settings screen click on Recommended actions and then select Quarantine <– Dont forget this
  • Under Reports
  • Select Automatically generate report after every scan
  • Un-Select Only if threats were found
  • Close AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 <– Do not run the scan yet.
Boot your computer into Safemode
  • Go to Start> Shut Off your Computer> Restart
  • As the computer starts to boot-up, Tap the F8 KEY somewhat rapidly.
  • This will bring up a menu.
  • Use the Up and Down Arrow Keys to scroll up to SAFEMODE
  • Then press the Enter on your Keyboard
Tutorial if you need it How to boot into Safemode


IMPORTANT: Do not open any other windows or programs while ewido is scanning, it may interfere with the scanning process:
  • Launch AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5 by double-clicking the icon on your desktop.
  • Select the Scanner icon at the top and then the Scan tab then click on Complete System Scan.
  • AVG will now begin the scanning process, be patient this may take a little time.
  • Once the scan is complete do the following:
  • If you have any infections you will prompted, then select Apply all actions
  • Next select the Reports icon at the top.
  • Select the Save report as button in the lower left hand of the screen and save it to a text file on your system
  • make sure to remember where you saved that file, this is important
  • Close AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5
Outside of the above , all the programs I listed will help keep you secure and there all free.

Good luck,

Ken :D
Post #11
I understand that "more is not better" when it comes from running AV programs, that you can't layer them like you can programs like SpywareGuard and Spybot. I was made aware of that through an earlier visit to this forum and from other places. Oh, and I double checked, I do have my windows firewall disabled. As for running McAfee's bundle of AV and firewall, I guess I was just being lazy. It's offered for free by my isp, so I took them up on the offer. Previously I was covered by the free ZoneAlarm firewall and the free trial of Nortons that came bundled with the PC. I'd been thinking that it might be McAfee that was slowing things down. When I look at processes running it sure used alot of memory. I'm going to think on switching over to what you recommended and uninstalling the McAfee security center. Thanks again for the great help/advice. I always learn something new when I post or just read here. Lee
Post #13
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