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Old 01-06-2006, 03:20 PM   #8 (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


That's good to hear. Please continue with these important final instructions:

Reset hidden/system files and folders
Windows XP
===============
Click Start.
* Open My Computer.
* Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
* Select the View tab.
* Deselect the Show hidden files and folders option.
* Select the Hide file extensions for known types option.
* Select the Hide protected operating system files option.
Click Yes to confirm.
Click OK.

Enable Windows Auto Update
*Go to Start>Run - type wuaucpl.cpl
*Tick on the checkbox - "Keep my computer up to date"
*Under Settings, choose "Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify".
Click on "OK".

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 prevent any reinfection from previous restore points.

In light of your recent issue, I'm sure you'll like to avoid any future infections. Please take a look at these well written articles:

HOW DID I GET INFECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE? by Tony Klein
THE ANTI-SPYWARE TUTORIAL
MAKING INTERNET EXPLORER SAFER

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.

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 susceptible to being hacked and taken over. 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

More information and downloads are available at the following links:

Spyware Blaster to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place.
Spyware Guard to catch and block spyware before it can execute.
IESpy-Ad to block access to malicious websites so you cannot be redirected to them from an infected site or email.
MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer

Update all these programs regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.
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