Ried

Hi Scott,
Yes, keep AVG Anti-Spyware--it is not the same program as AVG Free Anti Virus. (shame on them for naming their products so similarly)


No one tool will 'see all' and each AV has it's way of detecting malware. None is necessarily better than another, it's simply a good idea to run periodic online scans at Panda or Kaspersky and see if they pick anything up that McAfee and the other anti-malware tools have missed.

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Those registry entries I had you create the delete.reg for are still in the Panda report. Let's try removing them this way:

Download the attached scott.zip file to your desktop.

Double click on the zip folder, then double click on the .reg file within. Click yes to allow it to merge into your registry.

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You should be all set now. If there aren't any more problems, please continue with these final instructions and helpful links.


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 - "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.


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


Download SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 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 .

Download Spyware Guard to catch and block spyware before it can execute.

Download IE-SPYAD.EXE to block access to malicious websites so you cannot be redirected to them from an infected site or email. IE/Spyad places more than 4000 dubious websites and domains in the IE Restricted list. This severely impairs attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites. This is a self-extracting .ZIP file, and save it to your desktop. Once downloaded, double-click on it to extract the files inside (default dir is C:\IE-SPYAD)
Now navigate to C:\ie-spyad. Double click to open it.
From within the folder, double-click install.bat
Select Option #2 - Install the new IE-SPYAD list, by typing 2
Then return to the main menu.
Select option #4 - Add the old porn sites domain, by typing 4


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

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:

PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need?

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


**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.

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