A. Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program is for XP and Windows 2000 onlyDouble-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
Under Main choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button. If you use Firefox browserClick Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button. NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt. If you use Opera browserClick Opera at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button. NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.
For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu.
B. I need you to run the following scan: Eset Online Scanner
Place a check mark in the box YES, I accept the Terms Of Use
Click the Start button.
Now click the Install button.
Click Start. The scanner engine will initialize and update.
Do Not place a check mark in the box beside Remove found threats.
Click the Scan button. The scan will now run, please be patient.
When the scan finishes click the Details tab.
Copy and paste the contents of the C:\ProgramFiles\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt into your next reply.
There are a few things you must do once you are completely clean:
Set a New Restore Pointto prevent possible reinfection from an old one. Some of the malware you picked up could have been saved in System Restore. Since System Restore is a protected directory, your tools can not access it to delete these bad files which sometimes can reinfect your system. Setting a new restore point AFTER cleaning your system will help prevent this and enable your computer to "roll-back" to a clean working state.
The easiest and safest way to do this is:
Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and click "System Restore".
Choose the radio button marked "Create a Restore Point" on the first screen then click "Next". Give the R.P. a name then click "Create". The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a log of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.
Then go to Start > Run and type: Cleanmgr
Click "OK".
Click the "More Options" Tab.
Click "Clean Up" in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the newly created one.
Here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:
1. Make your Internet Explorer More Secure
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 Initialise 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.
2. Update your Anti-Virus Software - I can not overemphasize the need for you to update your Anti-virus application on a regular basis. With the ever increasing number of new variants of malware arriving on the scene daily, you become very susceptible to an attack without updated protection.
3. Make sure you keep your Windows OS current by visiting Windows update regularly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. Without these you are leaving the back door open.
4. Consider a custom hosts file such as MVPS HOSTS. This custom hosts file effectively blocks a wide range of unwanted 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 by WinHelp2002
Note: Be sure to follow the instructions to disable the DNS Client service before installing a custom hosts file.
5. Download and install the free version of WinPatrol. This program protects your computer in a variety of ways and will work well with your existing security software. Have a look at this tutorial to help you get started with the program.
6. Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Download and install Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide real time spyware and hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should scan your computer with the program on a regular basis just as you would with your anti-virus software. A tutorial on installing and using this product can be found here: Instructions for - Spybot S & D and Ad-aware
7. Finally, I strongly recommend that you read TonyKlein's good advice So how did I get infected in the first place?
I'm currently using AVG free antivirus, comodo firewall + windows + linksys, winpat, adaware, and spybot s&d w/ teamtimer to protect my computer.
In addition, I use HiJackThis, winsockxpfix, CCleaner, and ATF-Cleaner.
Do you think this is sufficient protection for my computer?… (laugh)
Rule of thumb:
* 1 Resident Antivirus
* 1 Software Firewall (even if you are behind a router)
* 1 AntiSpyware in resident memory
Any additions to the above may conflict and will degrade performance.
You can have a couple of AntiSpyware programs and run them "on demand". There is no problem there.
Good Luck.
Since this issue appears to be resolved … this Topic has been closed. Glad we could be of assistance.
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