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Unless you have any remaining issues you should be good to go... If all is ok with no issues here are some tips to reduce the potential for malware infection in the future:

 

Make proper use of your antivirus and firewall

 

Antivirus and Firewall programs are integral to your computer security. However, just having them installed isn't enough. The definitions of these programs are frequently updated to detect the latest malware, if you don't keep up with these updates then you'll be vulnerable to infection. Many antivirus and firewall programs have automatic update features, make use of those if you can. If your program doesn't, then get in the habit of routinely performing manual updates, because it's important.

 

You should keep your antivirus and firewall guard enabled at all times, NEVER turn them off unless there's a specific reason to do so. Also, regularly performing a full system scan with your antivirus program is a good idea to make sure you're system remains clean. Once a week should be adequate. You can set the scan to run during a time when you don't plan to use the computer and just leave it to complete on its own.

 

Install and use WinPatrol from here http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html  This will inform you of any attempted unauthorized changes to your system.

 

WinPatrol features explained here http://www.winpatrol.com/features.html

 

Go here http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/ run the FileHippo Update Checker, update all applications as suggested by the Update Checker. Ignore any Beta updates. (Use stand alone version, not a full install)

If Java or Adobe are updated please check under Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, ensure any old versions are removed. <--- Very important

 

Use a safer web browser

 

Internet Explorer is not the most secure tool for browsing the web. It has been known to be very susceptible to infection, and there are a few good free alternatives:

 

FireFox http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/,

 

Opera http://www.opera.com/, and

 

Chrome http://www.google.com/chrome.

 

All of these are excellent faster, safer, more powerful and functional free alternatives to Internet Explorer. It's definitely worth the short period of adjustment to start using one of these. If you wish to continue using Internet Explorer, it would be a good idea to follow the tutorial here http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial102.html which will help you to make IE MUCH safer.

 

These browser add-ons will help to make your browser safer:

 

Web of Trust warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous ones:

 

Available for Firefox and Internet Explorer.

 

Green to go,

Yellow for caution, and

Red to stop.

 

 

Available for Firefox only. NoScript helps to block malicious scripts and in general gives you much better control over what types of things webpages can do to your computer while you're browsing.

 

These are just a couple of the most popular add-ons, if you're interested in more, take a look at this article:

http://browsers.about.com/od/addonsplugi2/tp/browser_security_privacy.htm

 

Here a couple of links by two security experts that will give some excellent tips and advice.

 

So how did I get infected in the first place by Tony Klein from here: http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/index.php?/topic/60955-so-how-did-i-get-infected-in-the-first-place/

 

How to prevent Malware by Miekiemoes from here: http://users.telenet.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/prevention.html

 

Finally this link http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/38-free-antivirus-and-antispyware-software will give a comprehensive upto date list of free Security programs. To include - Antivirus, Antispyware, Firewall, Antimalware, Online scanners and rescue CD`s.

 

Don`t forget, the best form of defense is common sense. If you don`t recognize it, don`t open it. If something looks to good to be true, then it aint.

 

Let me know when its OK to close out your thread....

 

Take care,

 

Kevin

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Hi Kevin,

 

I've read the security tips in your last post; visited and made copies of the sites you've provided links for; and visited and made copies of sites the first set of sites provides links for.  Of course all the excellent advice, and all the references to software and to other sites, are more than it is possible to assimilate very quickly.

 

As for the software recommended on these sites--  Some of it I've already got (e.g., SpywareBlaster).  Some I've looked at in the past and will now make sure to get (e.g., WinPatrol, filehippo.updatechecker).  Some types of software I had no idea even existed (e.g., Mailwasher, eulalyzer), and they look excellent.  Swapping IE for Firefox has been on my to-do list, and I now I will make sure to make that swap soon.  I will continue to sift through this material you've provided (as you must know better than I, this is a very time-consuming process.)

 

May I offer additional suggestions?  To create a limited user account for regular use instead of the default Windows account.  To put passwords on these accounts.  To activate CTL-ALT-DELETE for log-in.  On computers that are not physically secure, to set power options requiring log-in after a set amount of idle time.  To use a Virtual Machine, or the limited counterpart of one like Sandboxie, to browse the web and test new software.  To install Microsoft's EMET.   To test downloaded files on sites like VirusTotal, Jotti, VirScan, and NoVirusThanks.  To test questionable websites on sites like Zscaler Zulu, urlQuery, and UrlVoid.  On wireless networks, to employ full security measures (a bewildering world of its own).

 

Finally, I would feel remiss if I did not frankly address one more issue.  While now would not be the right time for me to make more than a token contribution, I regret that this forum uses PayPal.  While I have been tempted from time to time to use it, the briefest search about it on the internet is always frightening (there is a recent article in The New York Times that calls PayPal the most hated site on the internet).

 

That said, I would like to thank you again for all you've done for me (and if my computer could talk, it would thank you too).

 

Robin

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  • Root Admin

Glad we could help. :)

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