[Resolved] Wow - browser cut off from what the tech!

OK - Done. Interesting that Norton would suddenly find something there - I've not used that program since 2004… or so I believe. So do things look clear now? Current HJT log is: Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1 Scan saved at 12:30:38 PM, on 12/15/2007 Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16544) 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\Ati2evxx.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PIFSvc.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTSvcCDA.EXE C:\Program Files\Gilat\QMS\QMS.exe C:\Program Files\Gilat\GSU\GSU.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Gilat\IBQoS\ibqossvc.exe C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$MICROSOFTBCM\Binn\sqlservr.exe C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe C:\Program Files\Promise\Utility\MsgAgt.exe C:\PROGRA~1\Dantz\RETROS~1\wdsvc.exe C:\Program Files\GILAT\Internet Page Accelerator\RPAService.exe C:\PROGRA~1\GILAT\INTERN~1\AS_Agent.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Flash Networks\NettGain2000\Bst\Srvany.exe C:\Program Files\Flash Networks\NettGain2000\Bst\WgwMngr.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsPMSPSv.exe C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe C:\Program Files\Gilat\NetAgent.exe C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\WDBtnMgr.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe C:\Program Files\StarBand\Mission Control\TaskBarClient.exe C:\Program Files\WDC\SetIcon.exe C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe C:\WINDOWS\LTMSG.exe C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe C:\Program Files\StarBand\Mission Control\HsuGui\HsuGuiControl.exe C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb08.exe C:\Program Files\HP DVD\Umbrella\DVDTray.exe C:\PROGRA~1\StarBand\MISSIO~1\evrep.exe C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTHELPER.EXE C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Unload\hpqcmon.exe C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\CLI.EXE C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe C:\Program Files\My Book\WD Backup\uBBMonitor.exe C:\Program Files\interMute\SpamSubtract\SpamSub.exe C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\cli.exe C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Console\NSCSRVCE.EXE C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\NMain.exe C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~1\navw32.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe C:\Program Files\StarBand\Mission Control\ntstatus.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Program Files\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157 R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896 R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/fix_homepage/ R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=127.0.0.1:9877 O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll O2 - BHO: Norton Internet Security 2006 - {9ECB9560-04F9-4bbc-943D-298DDF1699E1} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {A8F38D8D-E480-4D52-B7A2-731BB6995FDD} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll O3 - Toolbar: Norton Internet Security 2006 - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {C4069E3A-68F1-403E-B40E-20066696354B} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec PIF AlertEng] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PIFSvc.exe" /a /m "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\AlertEng.dll" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WD Button Manager] WDBtnMgr.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskBarClient] C:\Program Files\StarBand\\Mission Control\TaskBarClient.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SetIcon] \Program Files\WDC\SetIcon.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NettGain2000 Verifier] C:\Program Files\Flash Networks\NettGain2000\Bst\NettGain2000 Verifier.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mmtask] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LTMSG] LTMSG.exe 7 O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HsuGuiControl] C:\Program Files\StarBand\\Mission Control\HsuGui\HsuGuiControl.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\HP\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon05] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb08.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDTray] "C:\Program Files\HP DVD\Umbrella\DVDTray.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDBitSet] "C:\Program Files\HP DVD\Umbrella\DVDBitSet.exe" /NOUI O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTSysVol] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTDVDDet] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CamMonitor] c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Unload\hpqcmon.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATICCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\CLIStart.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AsioReg] REGSVR32 /S CTASIO.DLL O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [NettGain2000] C:\Program Files\Flash Networks\NettGain2000\Bst\WgwMngr.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RealPlayer] "C:\Program Files\Real\RealOne Player\realplay.exe" /RunUPGToolCommandReBoot O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [NVIEW] rundll32.exe nview.dll,nViewLoadHook O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe O4 - Startup: spamsubtract.lnk = C:\Program Files\interMute\SpamSubtract\SpamSub.exe O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = ? O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe O4 - Global Startup: WD Backup Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\My Book\WD Backup\uBBMonitor.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:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing) O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing) O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing) O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing) 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 O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International* O16 - DPF: ppctlcab - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/ppctlcab.cab O16 - DPF: {03F998B2-0E00-11D3-A498-00104B6EB52E} (MetaStreamCtl Class) - https://components.viewpoint.com/MTSInstall…l?noreloadredir O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedC…bin/AvSniff.cab O16 - DPF: {2FC9A21E-2069-4E47-8235-36318989DB13} (PPSDKActiveXScanner.MainScreen) - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/axscanner.cab O16 - DPF: {3451DEDE-631F-421C-8127-FD793AFC6CC8} - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/as…rl/SymAData.cab O16 - DPF: {44990200-3C9D-426D-81DF-AAB636FA4345} (Symantec SmartIssue) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/as…trl/tgctlsi.cab O16 - DPF: {44990301-3C9D-426D-81DF-AAB636FA4345} (Symantec Script Runner Class) - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/as…trl/tgctlsr.cab O16 - DPF: {49232000-16E4-426C-A231-62846947304B} - http://ipgweb.cce.hp.com/rdqna/downloads/sysinfo.cab O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/…b?1120190663652 O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedC…n/bin/cabsa.cab O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdat…b?1126485398125 O16 - DPF: {C68F9105-04FD-4B48-B6CC-2A076F711C35} (HpodPCFileCtrl2 Class) - file://F:\MEMDISC\ALBUM_A\VIEW\PLUGIN\HPODPCFC.CAB O16 - DPF: {CE28D5D2-60CF-4C7D-9FE8-0F47A3308078} - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/ac…ta/SymAData.cab O16 - DPF: {E77C0D62-882A-456F-AD8F-7C6C9569B8C7} - https://www-secure.symantec.com/techsupp/ac…/ActiveData.cab O16 - DPF: {F5C90925-ABBF-4475-88F5-8622B452BA9E} (Compaq System Data Class) - http://wwemail.support.hp.com/fd2/objects/SysQuery.cab O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll O21 - SSODL: WPDShServiceObj - {AAA288BA-9A4C-45B0-95D7-94D524869DB5} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll O23 - Service: Aluria Spyware Eliminator Service (ASEService) - Unknown owner - C:\PROGRA~1\ALURIA~1\ASE\ASEServ.exe (file missing) O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe O23 - Service: Canon Camera Access Library 8 (CCALib8) - Canon Inc. - C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Internet Security Password Validation (ccISPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ccPwdSvc.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Network Proxy (ccProxy) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe O23 - Service: COM Host (comHost) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\comHost.exe O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTSvcCDA.EXE O23 - Service: Gilat Quality Measurement Service (Gilat QMS) - Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Gilat\QMS\QMS.exe O23 - Service: Gilat host software update service (GilatHSU) - Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Gilat\GSU\GSU.exe O23 - Service: Gilat Network Agent Service (GilatNetAgent) - Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Gilat\NetAgent.exe O23 - Service: Gilat IBQoS Agent (ibqossvc) - Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Gilat\IBQoS\ibqossvc.exe O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE O23 - Service: LiveUpdate Notice Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PIFSvc.exe" /m "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PifEng.dll (file missing) O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe O23 - Service: Norton Protection Center Service (NSCService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Console\NSCSRVCE.EXE O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe O23 - Service: Promise RAID message agent (RAIDmAgt) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Promise\Utility\MsgAgt.exe O23 - Service: Retrospect Helper - Dantz Development Corporation - C:\Program Files\Dantz\Retrospect\rthlpsvc.exe O23 - Service: Retrospect WD Service (RetroWDSvc) - Dantz Development Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Dantz\RETROS~1\wdsvc.exe O23 - Service: RPAService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\GILAT\Internet Page Accelerator\RPAService.exe O23 - Service: Symantec AVScan (SAVScan) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe (file missing) O23 - Service: WgwService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Flash Networks\NettGain2000\Bst\Srvany.exe

These aren't needed.

Run hijackthis. Hit None of the above, Click Do a System Scan Only. Put a checkmark/tick in the box on the left side on these:

O16 - DPF: ppctlcab - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/ppctlcab.cab
O16 - DPF: {03F998B2-0E00-11D3-A498-00104B6EB52E} (MetaStreamCtl Class) - https://components.viewpoint.com/MTSInstall…l?noreloadredir
O16 - DPF: {2FC9A21E-2069-4E47-8235-36318989DB13} (PPSDKActiveXScanner.MainScreen) - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/axscanner.cab

Close ALL windows and browsers except HijackThis and click "Fix checked"


After the above:

Good job

[*]Click START then RUN

[*]Now type Combofix /u in the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the X and the U, it needs to be there.



[*][external image: Posted Image]

[*]If shown the disclaimer, Select "2"


Here's my usual all clean post

Log looks good


You need to create a new Clean restore point.

Note: This will remove all previous Restore Points

Click Start Menu > Run > copy and paste

%SystemRoot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe

Press OK. Choose Create a Restore Point then click Next. Name it (something you'll remember) and click Create, when the confirmation screen shows the restore point has been created click Close.

Double-click My Computer.
Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
Click the View tab.
Check "Hide file extensions for known file types."
Under the "Hidden files" folder, Uncheck "Show hidden files and folders."
Check "Hide protected operating system files."
Click Apply, and then click OK.


[*]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 Installation of desktop items to Prompt

[*]Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt

[*]Change the Navigate sub-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.

[*]Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperative 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 this 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 SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will add 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


[*]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.


Using IE-SPYAD to help block unwanted sites and activities


[*]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.
Only run one Anti-Virus and Firewall program.

I would also suggest you read this:
So how did I get infected in the first place?
by Tony Klein