Hi Ike,
I see that Dave is helping you with cleaning your machine, over in the malware removal forum,
When Dave tells you that your logs look clean (Oh wonderful day!) he will provide you with a list of recommended applications and actions for you to take to help you keep your machine clean.
In the meantime here's a link to some valuable information from Blair:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/Malware_FAQ_t85011.html
and you will see that Blair also includes a link to Tony Kleins excellent article on "So how did I get infected in the first place!
Please don't make any changes to your machine unless instructed to by Dave ( I don't want to make his job any more difficult than it is already)
It is so easy to become infected these days as the malware writers are becoming more expert and some of their ploys are very cunning and ingenious, but none the less despicable and as you may have found out, can cause a huge amount of trouble not to mention distress and financial loss.
It is easy to become too reliant upon software as the "be all" and "end all" of protection, and a lot of experts would place operator education and training very high on the priority list. This involves a certain amount of reading and self help and is not popular with many folks (especially the young) who often prefer an "out of the box" solution that involves nothing more than installing protection products.
Although many experts here may have other important views here's my pennyworth
1 A lot of malware attacks computers, that are not patched 100% up to date at all times, so keep your Microsoft/Windows Update, bang up to date…..Always!
2 Out of data Java has vulnerabilities that can be exploited, uninstall old versions and install latest version (6 upd 4)
3 Train & educate all users in safe computer use and to be "conservative "where they click….
4 Warn users about dangers in clicking on links in emails and opening attachments
5 On XP do not routinely use an account with Admin privileges for Internet use (any malware can piggy back on those priviledges and spread easily throughout your system)
6 Operate from behind a hardware firewall
7 Use a good 2 way software firewall (do not allow internet access to an application unless you are sure of its integrity)
8 Use a good up to date anti virus, anti spyware application with real time protection, (and keep it up to date)
9 Free stuff sometimes has "little friends" along side it
10 Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing is acknowledged as a prime vehicle for the receipt of malicious or undesirable elements.
I think I will leave it at just the 10, so other folks can add their comments, but in your operator education and training, on security settings, the importance of treating ActiveX controls with extreme caution and not clicking on any popups that suggest for example a codec for viewing your videos should be downloaded, should be stressed. In fact its usually best not to click on any pop ups at all.
Regards
paws
