Tech Support Forum - View Single Post

AbstractEpiphany · 04-27-2006, 06:21 PM

Great work, you're now malware free!

However, about that restarting problem--I'm going to have to reference you to the Windows XP forum here at TSF, where they'll be happy to help you figure that particular problem out, as we've ruled out the possibility of it being caused by or related to any malicious software. Please tell them what you've told me about the problem, and let them know that your system has been cleared of malware in the HJT forum.

Just a few last steps, and then you're done here.

Re-enable SpySweeper

Open SpySweeper
Go to the Options -> Program Options
Check Load at Windows Startup
Click Shields and check all items there
Check Home Page Shield.

And then close SpySweeper.

Hide Hidden Files

Click Start.
Open My Computer.
Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
Select the View tab.
Uncheck the Show hidden files and folders option.
Check the Hide file extensions for known types option.
Check the Hide protected operating system files option.
Click Yes to confirm.
Click OK.

Reset System Restore
To turn off System Restore click Start > Right Click My Computer > Properties. Click the System Restore tab and Check "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" Click Apply. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this then Click OK.

Turn on System Restore by Clicking Start. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. Click the System Restore tab. Uncheck "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives." Click Apply, and then OK.

This will create a new Restore Point.

Windows Updates
It is very important that you get all of the critical updates for your Operating System and Internet Explorer. Keeping your OS and browser up to date will help make you less susceptible to attacks by Trojans and viruses. Please go to Microsoft Windows Update and download all the critical updates to help prevent possible re-infection.

Please verify that you have the recent KB912919 patch for the Windows Metafile Exploit--it is available from Microsoft.

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

TonyKlein's How Did I Get Infected in the First Place?
The Anti-Spyware Tutorial
Making Internet Explorer Safer

This is a good time to set up protection against further attacks. You need an antivirus that is continually updated, a good firewall, a spyware blocker such as Spyware Blaster, and a real time spyware program such as Spyware Guard, to prevent spyware intrusions. Using IE-Spyad, another excellent program that places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list, or using a feature full alternative browser such as Opera or Firefox, will help prevent attempts to infect your system. All of the programs above have good free versions available. However, 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 contain malware.

More information and downloads are available at the following links:
Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
IE-Spyad
Mozilla Firefox
Opera

One Last Note
Please respond to this topic one last time so we can mark this topic as resolved.

Happy computing!

04-27-2006, 06:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
AbstractEpiphany Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 250 OS: Windows 98SE/XP Home, Mac OS X	Great work, you're now malware free! However, about that restarting problem--I'm going to have to reference you to the Windows XP forum here at TSF, where they'll be happy to help you figure that particular problem out, as we've ruled out the possibility of it being caused by or related to any malicious software. Please tell them what you've told me about the problem, and let them know that your system has been cleared of malware in the HJT forum. Just a few last steps, and then you're done here. Re-enable SpySweeper Open SpySweeper Go to the Options -> Program Options Check Load at Windows Startup Click Shields and check all items there Check Home Page Shield. And then close SpySweeper. Hide Hidden Files Click Start. Open My Computer. Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options. Select the View tab. Uncheck the Show hidden files and folders option. Check the Hide file extensions for known types option. Check the Hide protected operating system files option. Click Yes to confirm. Click OK. Reset System Restore To turn off System Restore click Start > Right Click My Computer > Properties. Click the System Restore tab and Check "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives" Click Apply. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this then Click OK. Turn on System Restore by Clicking Start. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. Click the System Restore tab. Uncheck "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives." Click Apply, and then OK. This will create a new Restore Point. Windows Updates It is very important that you get all of the critical updates for your Operating System and Internet Explorer. Keeping your OS and browser up to date will help make you less susceptible to attacks by Trojans and viruses. Please go to Microsoft Windows Update and download all the critical updates to help prevent possible re-infection. Please verify that you have the recent KB912919 patch for the Windows Metafile Exploit--it is available from Microsoft. How to Stay Malware-Free In light of your recent troubles, I'm sure you'll like to avoid any future infections. Please take a look at these well written articles: TonyKlein's How Did I Get Infected in the First Place? The Anti-Spyware Tutorial Making Internet Explorer Safer This is a good time to set up protection against further attacks. You need an antivirus that is continually updated, a good firewall, a spyware blocker such as Spyware Blaster, and a real time spyware program such as Spyware Guard, to prevent spyware intrusions. Using IE-Spyad, another excellent program that places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list, or using a feature full alternative browser such as Opera or Firefox, will help prevent attempts to infect your system. All of the programs above have good free versions available. However, 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 contain malware. More information and downloads are available at the following links: Spyware Blaster Spyware Guard IE-Spyad Mozilla Firefox Opera One Last Note Please respond to this topic one last time so we can mark this topic as resolved. Happy computing!