doubleclick and few other

[maikelekiam]

Hi,

Recently I have noticed that my laptop is running very slow. I have done all 5 steps to post here. Spybot found 9 matches : advertising.com, adviva, avenue a inc, casale media, doubleclick, fastclick, mediaplex, target net and web trends live. I have deleted them. CWShredder found CWS.Aff.toolband and I have fixed it.

Here is my HJT Log. Thanks in advance

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 14:37:59, on 29/09/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMax4PNP.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA Controls\TFncKy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Tvs\TvsTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\P2PHazard2\P2PHazard2.exe
C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32kui.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\ewido.exe
C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\LaunchApplication.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Touch and Launch\PadExe.exe
C:\Program Files\ltmoh\Ltmoh.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\PCSuite\DataLayer\DataLayer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\DynAdvance\DynAdvance Notifier\MailNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\PCSuite\Services\SERVIC~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\guard.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32krn.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = www.google.co.uk
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = :
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMax4PNP.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAX] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe /tray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [FastCache] C:\Program Files\AnalogX\FastCache\fc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TFncKy] TFncKy.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Tvs] C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Tvs\TvsTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TrueImageMonitor.exe] C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acronis Scheduler2 Service] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [P2PHazard] C:\Program Files\P2PHazard2\P2PHazard2
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [D_V_T] C:\\dvt.exe /S \C:\\d_v_t.reg\
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nod32kui] "C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32kui.exe" /WAITSERVICE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TDS3] C:\Program Files\TDS3\TDS-3.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!ewido] "C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\ewido.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCSuiteTrayApplication] C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\LaunchApplication.exe -onlytray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PadTouch] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Touch and Launch\PadExe.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LtMoh] C:\Program Files\ltmoh\Ltmoh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DataLayer] C:\Program Files\Common Files\PCSuite\DataLayer\DataLayer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe" AcRdB7_0_7 -reboot 1
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DynAdvance Notifier] C:\Program Files\DynAdvance\DynAdvance Notifier\MailNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
O4 - Global Startup: Inicio rápido de Adobe Reader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/S...in/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {5D86DDB5-BDF9-441B-9E9E-D4730F4EE499} (BDSCANONLINE Control) - http://download.bitdefender.com/reso...an8/oscan8.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/S.../bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsof...?1131215762606
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O21 - SSODL: WPDShServiceObj - {AAA288BA-9A4C-45B0-95D7-94D524869DB5} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll
O23 - Service: Acronis Scheduler2 Service (AcrSch2Svc) - Acronis - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe
O23 - Service: ewido anti-spyware 4.0 guard - Anti-Malware Development a.s. - C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\guard.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NOD32 Kernel Service (NOD32krn) - Eset - C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32krn.exe
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe

Maikelekiam

[POADB]

Welcome to TSF Maikelekiam.

You seem to have done most of the cleaning as no infections are showing in HJT. We will take the precautions of looking further.

I am unfamiliar with the program P2PHazard2, could you please describe to me what this application is?

---------

Please subscribe to this thread to be notified of fixes as soon as they are posted by our Team. To do this, please click the "Thread Tools" button located in the original thread line and selecting "Subscribe to this Thread".

Before you begin, take a read through these instructions and download the programs that I've advised. Save the below instructions in Notepad or Word if you wish to reserve format. Alternatively, Print out the instructions because we require you work in safe mode without networking support, so this page wouldn't be available then.

If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before proceeding with the fixes. You should not have any open browsers when you are carrying out the procedures below.

Please allow yourself a few spare hours. Below are instructions for a virus scan(s) that can take longer then 2 hours.

It is also important you don't miss a step and perform everything in the right order!! .

--==FOR YOUR INFORMATION==--

Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system. Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update.

Updating Java:

• Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 5.0 Update 8 - http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
• Scroll down to where it says "The J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications".
  
• Click the "Download" button to the right.
• Check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
• The page will refresh.
• Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation with or without Multi-language and save to your desktop.
• Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
• Go to Start > Control Panel double-click on Add/Remove programs and remove all older versions of Java.
• Check any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
• Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
• Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
• Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
• Then from your desktop double-click on jre-1_5_0_08-windowsi586-p.exe to install the newest version.

--==DOWNLOADS==--

Please download these additional files/programs. Do not run them unless instructed to do so.
Unless otherwise stated, they should be stored in the same directory as the HiJackThis program.

Download and install CleanUp!. Do NOT run it yet.

Download Ewido Security Suite - Install it.

• Double-click the icon on the Desktop to launch Ewido

You will need to update Ewido to the latest definition files.

• On the top of the main screen click Shield
• Click the word active to change it to inactive
• On the top of the main screen click Update.
• Then click on Start Update. The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
• I also recommend changing the "Update interval" to something more reasonable like 12 hours.

If you are having problems with the updater, you can use this link to manually update Ewido
When you have finished updating, EXIT Ewido.

Turn off your Internet. Please close your Internet Browser(s) and refer to the instructions offline, as suggested in my introduction.

--==PURGE TEMPS==--

Open Cleanup! by double-clicking the icon on your desktop (or from the Start > All Programs menu). Set the program up as follows:

• Click "Options..."
• Move the arrow down to "Custom CleanUp!"
• Put a check next to the following:
  • Empty Recycle Bins
  • Delete Cookies
  • Delete Prefetch files
  • Cleanup! All Users
  • Click on the “Temporary Files” and uncheck the box for “Scan drives for file matching” if it’s checked.
• Click OK

Press the CleanUp! button to start the program. Reboot/logoff when prompted.

WARNING - CleanUp! will delete all files and folders contained within Temporary Directories. If you knowingly have items you would like to keep that are stored in these locations; Move Them Now!!!

--==SAFE MODE==--

REBOOT TO SAFE MODE

1. Restart the computer. The computer begins processing a set of instructions known as BIOS.
2. As soon as the BIOS has finished loading, begin tapping the F8 key on your keyboard.
3. Continue to do so until the 'Windows Advanced Options' menu appears.
4. Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, scroll to and select the menu item - Safe Mode.
5. Logon to your usual account.

--==SETTING UP==--

Enable the viewing of Hidden files

1. From Windows Explorer, go to Tools>Folder Options>View tab.
2. Enable the option for `Show hidden files and folder´
3. Disable the option for `Hide file extensions for known types´
4. Disable the option for `Hide protected operating system files´
5. Click Yes to confirm & then click OK

--==HJT FIXES==--

Run a scan with HiJackThis & select(tick) the following & click [Fix checked] :

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = :

--==EWIDO SCAN==--

** Please disable all other antivirus programs before proceeding.**

Run Ewido with it's updated definitions:(...it's important that all windows must be closed)

• Click Scanner
• Click Complete System Scan to begin scanning.
• When the scan is complete click Recommended Action and change it to Quarantine
• Then click Apply all actions

Once finished, click the Save report button, then click Save Report As and save it to your desktop.
* Ewido scan would require at least an hour. I suggest that you go grab a cup of coffee & do something else while you wait for it to complete.

--==ONLINE SCAN==--

REBOOT TO NORMAL MODE

Perform an online scan with Internet Explorer with Panda ActiveScan
** click on "Free use ActiveScan" located on the top right hand corner

1. Click Check Now & a 'pop up' window shall appear. *ensure that your pop up blocker doesn't block it
2. Enter your e-mail address, country, and state & click Scan Now ...begins downloading 8 MB Panda's ActiveX controls

Begin the scan by selecting My Computer

• If it finds any malware, it will offer you a report.
• Please ignore any entry it finds and wants you to buy the program for removal as we will address this later.
• Click on see report. Then click Save report

Please post that log in your next reply.

--==CHECK LIST==--

In your next post, please include fresh logs from:

1. Ewido Results
2. HiJackThis
3. Online scan

Please provide details of any problems you encountered whilst performing the above steps & update us on how the computer behaves now

[maikelekiam]

Thanks POADB for your time, I really apreciate it.

P2PHAZARD2 is an Spanish IP filter.

I have done all the steps and the logs for Ewido and Panda come back clean... I have attached HJT log just in case. It seems that all the previous steps cleaned my system.

Regards

maikelekiam

[POADB]

Where is the HJT log?

[maikelekiam]

Yes I forgot to copy it...
Here there is

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 23:34:48, on 01/10/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = www.google.co.uk
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMax4PNP.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAX] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe /tray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [FastCache] C:\Program Files\AnalogX\FastCache\fc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TFncKy] TFncKy.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Tvs] C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Tvs\TvsTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TrueImageMonitor.exe] C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acronis Scheduler2 Service] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe bthprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [P2PHazard] C:\Program Files\P2PHazard2\P2PHazard2
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [D_V_T] C:\\dvt.exe /S \C:\\d_v_t.reg\
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nod32kui] "C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32kui.exe" /WAITSERVICE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TDS3] C:\Program Files\TDS3\TDS-3.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!ewido] "C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\ewido.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCSuiteTrayApplication] C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\LaunchApplication.exe -onlytray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PadTouch] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Touch and Launch\PadExe.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LtMoh] C:\Program Files\ltmoh\Ltmoh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DataLayer] C:\Program Files\Common Files\PCSuite\DataLayer\DataLayer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe" AcRdB7_0_7 -reboot 1
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DynAdvance Notifier] C:\Program Files\DynAdvance\DynAdvance Notifier\MailNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
O4 - Global Startup: Inicio rápido de Adobe Reader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\ssv.dll
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/S...in/AvSniff.cab
O16 - DPF: {5D86DDB5-BDF9-441B-9E9E-D4730F4EE499} (BDSCANONLINE Control) - http://download.bitdefender.com/reso...an8/oscan8.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/S.../bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsof...?1131215762606
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoftware.com/actives...ree/asinst.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O21 - SSODL: WPDShServiceObj - {AAA288BA-9A4C-45B0-95D7-94D524869DB5} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll
O23 - Service: Acronis Scheduler2 Service (AcrSch2Svc) - Acronis - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe
O23 - Service: ewido anti-spyware 4.0 guard - Anti-Malware Development a.s. - C:\Program Files\ewido anti-spyware 4.0\guard.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NOD32 Kernel Service (NOD32krn) - Eset - C:\Program Files\Eset\nod32krn.exe
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe

[POADB]

Your system is clean. Kindly follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

1. CLEAR & RESET SYSTEM RESTORE'S CACHE - (System Volume Information folder)
   Go to Start >> Run - type control sysdm.cpl,,4 & press Enter
   • Tick on the checkbox - Turn off System Restore on all drives
   • Click Apply
   Turn it back 'On' by unticking the same checkbox & click OK
   
   
   
2. DISABLE THE VIEWING OF SYSTEM FILES
   From Windows Explorer, go to Tools>Folder Options> View tab.
   • Untick - Show hidden files and folder
   • Tick - Hide file extensions for known types
   • Tick - Hide protected operating system files
   Click Yes to confirm & then click OK
   
   
   
3. SECURING INTERNET EXPLORER
   From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Internet Options.
   • Select the Security tab
     • Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
     • Select Custom Level .
       • Change 'Download signed ActiveX controls' to Prompt
       • Change 'Download unsigned ActiveX controls' to Disable
       • Change 'Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe' to Disable
       • Change 'Installation of desktop items' to Prompt
       • Change 'Launching programs and files in an IFRAME' to Prompt
       • Change 'Navigate sub-frames across different domains' to Prompt
       • When all these changes have been made, click on the OK button.
     • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
   • Select OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
   
   
   
4. ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
   It is very important that you have anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
   
   See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:
   
   Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources
   
   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.
   
   
   
5. FIREWALL
   Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. A tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones can be found here.
   
   
   
6. Microsoft Windows Update
   Visit windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer always has the latest security updates. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
   
   
   
7. SPYBOT - SEARCH & DESTROY
   Download and install Spybot - Search & Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with the program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
   
   
   
8. AD-AWARE
   Download and install Ad-Aware. You should use this program to scan your computer on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
   
   
   
9. SPYWAREBLASTER
   SpywareBlaster prevents the installation of malicious ActiveX, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted software. Blocks spyware/tracking cookies & restricts the actions of potentially unwanted sites.
   
   Unlike other programs, SpywareBlaster does not have to remain running in the background. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here
   
   
   
10. IE-SPYAD
    IE/Spyad places more than 4000 dubious websites and domains in the IE Restricted list. This severely impair 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. A tutorial on installing this product can be found here
    
    
    
11. MVPS HOST FILE
    The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one that will restrict known ad sites form serving you unsolicited advertisements. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is the IP of your local computer. It can be downloaded here - MVPS Hosts file

Update all these programs regularly. Make sure you update all the programs I have listed 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. Here are some additional utilities that will further enhance your safety.

• Trillian or Miranda-IM - These are Malware free Instant Messenger programs which allow you to connect to multiple IM services in one program! (AOL, Yahoo, ICQ, IRC, MSN)
  
  
• Firefox - Use this alternate browser. Whilst Internet Explorer is not a bad browser, almost every exploit crafted is targeted to take advantage of an IE weakness.
  
  
• Sun's Java - It's much more secure than Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine.
  
  
• Google Toolbar - Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
  
  
• CleanUP! - Cleans temporary files from IE and Windows, empties the recycle bin and more. Great tool to help speed up your computer and knock out those nasties that like to reside in the temp folders.
  
  
• ERUNT - A useful freeware utility for users of Windows 2000/XP. It's made up of two parts - ERUNT & NTREGOPT.
  
  ERUNT will create daily complete backups of your computer's Registry. Whilst System Restore does the same thing, a corrupt registry file may prevent Windows from booting & this effectively renders disables System Restore. With ERUNT, you're able to restore the damaged Registry.
  
  NTREGOPT works by recreating each registry hive "from scratch", thus removing any slack space that may be left from previously modified or deleted keys. In other words, it compacts the Registry to a small size which allows Windows to load & perform faster.
  
  
• Winpatrol - Download and install the free version of Winpatrol.
  A tutorial for this product is located here:
  Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software

To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein

After doing all these, your system will be optimised against future threats.

It's okay to delete the Hijack This folder in a couple weeks if everything is working okay.
Have a safe & happy computing day.

Please respond to this thread one more time so we can mark this thread as resolved.

[maikelekiam]

Hey thanks very much for your help!! Amazing !!!