The 5 Steps before Posting a Log

[Glaswegian]

STEP 4


Update your Operating System

This is a basic step that seems to be ignored by many users. In a high percentage of cases this is the reason the user is infected in the first place. Microsoft doesn’t issue patches and updates for fun – they are issued to fix flaws in the system and ensure that users are not left open to attack.

Please visit Microsoft's Window's Update Page (this requires using Internet Explorer) and install the latest patches and security updates for your system.


*Note* There are some infections that may prevent you from updating your Operating System. In these cases please make sure you tell the analyst on your first post. They will provide a "General" fix and will try to ensure that you can update your system as soon as possible.

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For Windows XP Users! Only if you have NO Service Packs installed.

Note: This step is intended for those who have no Service Packs installed. If you're not sure, you can find out by right-clicking My Computer>select Properties and look on the General Tab under "System:". If you already have Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2, please skip this step.

IMPORTANT!:

Before we can proceed any further, please visit the Microsoft's Windows Update Page and install ALL Critical Updates for your system (except service pack 2) (SP2). SP2 should only be installed on a fully disinfected system. At the minimum install at least SP1a for both XP and IE6. Without these updates your system is wide open to re-infection and we are both wasting our efforts to clean your system. After we have completed your clean-up, we will have you return to the Windows Update page and install SP2. We will also then advise you on how to better protect yourself online.

Please apply those updates BEFORE posting your next log. It is this forum's policy to stop the disinfection process until these basic updates are done. If during the updating process you get a message that your product key is invalid ....then you may not have a legitimate copy of Windows XP. Unfortunately it’s also this forums policy that we only address users with a legal copy of Windows XP.... therefore if you can not update Windows XP to SP1 we must stop the cleansing process here.


**Note** If you're having trouble locating the service pack SP1a here is a direct link to download it from..

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...p1a_en_x86.exe


Thank you for your cooperation.

NOTE: we may STOP the cleansing process until this is done.

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