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Old 08-15-2008, 01:21 PM   #9 (permalink)
Ried
Assistant Manager, TSF Academy; Moderator/Analyst Security Team
 
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 26,596
OS: WinXP and Vista


Re: Blue Desktop with spyware detected - appears to be Smitfraud?

Hi -Shirt,

Panda is only reporting undesirable cookies, (which are easily cleared via Firefox Tool>Internet Options) and items located in C:\System Volume Information\, which is where System Restore's cache is stored. Whatever is in there can't harm unless you choose to perform a manual restore.

Nevertheless, we shall be reset/clear the cache now:

Create a new System Restore point
Click Start >> Run - type SYSDM.CPL & press Enter
* Select the System Restore Tab
* Tick on the checkbox - "Turn off System Restore on all drives"
Click Apply
* Then untick the same checkbox & click OK
This will flush out previous restore points (which contain the infections) and create a new restore point.

**************************************************************************************

The logs are clean. If there aren't any more problems, please continue with these final instructions and helpful links:

To help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programs if you do not already have them:

McAfee Site Advisor--free version. The folks there check out websites and based on their findings, rate it as Safe, Unknown, Caution, or Bad.

SpywareBlaster 4.0 to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place. Install & update SpywareBlaster with the latest definitions. After you have updated, click the button - enable protection for all unprotected items.
  • It will block any bad ActiveX from running in Internet Explorer and Firefox if it's listed in their database (which you should update frequently). To view their database and list of restricted sites, launch the program and click on each of the tabs on the main display page.

IESpyAD Zoned Out to block access to malicious websites so you cannot be redirected to them from an infected site or email. This severely impairs attempts to infect your system as it basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.


Update, and scan with your onboard Anti Malware and Anti Virus programs regularly. Without regular updates you will not be protected when new malicious programs are released.


In light of his recent issue, have him take a look at these well written articles. It may help him to not feel so 'powerless':

PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?
Think Prevention


**Be very wary with any security software that is advertised in popups or in other ways. They are not only usually of no use, but often have malware in them.

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Follow the list above and the potential for infection will reduce dramatically.

**Kindly respond one more time and let me know if we may consider this thread resolved.
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