Step 1
Antivirus scanning
If you're NOT running any antivirus or firewall software, you should install one ASAP If you already have an Anti-virus program - please be sure to check for updates and run a full scan of your system -
Recommended Free Anti Virus:
Avast Free
Recommended Free Firewall:
Comodo
Zonealarm
=========================================================
Step 2
CCleaner
* Please download from HERE
* Close all browsers.
* Run the program and make sure all the boxes are ticked under the Windows and Applications tabs, including "Advanced" tabs(except for the Old prefetch Data option, this should be unticked)
* Click the run cleaner button.
* Do this at least twice.
=======================================================
Step 3
Temporarily Disable Real Time Monitoring Programs
This is because some real time protection programs can interfere with any fixes we are trying to run.
See these instructions on how to disable some of the more common real time monitoring programs.
If you have other protection that may need disabled feel free to ask in your thread in the security section.
Once your system is clean, you are advised to turn the protection back on.
Uninstall File Sharing/P2P Programs
During the cleaning process all File Sharing Programs should be uninstalled
This is to avoid any possible reinfection of any malwares through file sharing
We reserve the right to withdraw our support:
* If such programs are found in your logs
* Should you not agree to their removal.
As they are normally set to bypass your Firewall and Anti-Virus software
Filesharing/P2P Programs serves as a constant threat to your computer
=======================================================
Step 4
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
* Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from from HERE
* Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
* At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to
o Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
o and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
* then click Finish.
* If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
* Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.
* When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
* Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
* When completed, a log will open in Notepad. please attach this log with your reply
o If you accidently close it, the log file is saved here and will be named like this:
o C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Logs\mbam-log-date (time).txt
======================================================
Step 5
SuperAntiSpyware Home Edition Free Version
* Please download SuperAntiSpyware from HERE
* Launch SuperAntiSpyware and click on 'Check for updates'.
* Wait for the updates to be installed
* On the main screen click on 'Scan your computer'.
* Check: 'Perform Complete Scan then Click 'Next' to start the scan.
* Superantispyware will now scan your computer,when it's finished it will list all/any infections found.
* Make sure everything found has a checkmark next to it,then press 'Next'.
* Click on 'Finish' when you've done.
It's possible that the program will ask you to reboot in order to delete some files.
Obtain the SuperAntiSpyware log as follows:
Click on 'Preferences'.
Click on the 'Statistics/Logs' tab.
Under 'Scanner Logs' double click on 'SuperAntiSpyware Scan Log'.
It will then open in your default text editor,such as Notepad.
Attach the notepad file here on your reply
=======================================================
Step 6
Update your Java Runtime Environment
Many types of malware like to exploit out of date Java versions!
First, please go HERE to verify that your version is up to date. Click on the "Verify Java Version" link button.
If your versions are not updated, that link button will change to one that allows you to update directly by clicking on it, in which case please do so.
After you have installed the newest version,
Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Add/remove programs (programs and features in vista)
Uninstall any older versions of Java except the most current update that you just installed
=======================================================
Step 7
Download
Hijackthis Instructions
* Only do this step after completing the previous steps
* Make sure you have the LATEST version of HJT (currently v2.0.2) it can be downloaded from HERE
* Run the HijackThis Installer and it will automatically place HJT in C:\Program Files\TrendMicro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe. Please don't change the directory.
* After installing, the program launches automatically, select Scan now and save a log
* After the scan is complete please attach your logs onto the Blog
==========================================================
shcxmb58te
Thursday, July 9, 2009
What viruses may do to a computer
What viruses may do to a computer
Below are different issues you may experience when you are infected with a virus. Keep in mind that you also may be experiencing any of the below issues by another computer related issue and not a virus.
* Deleted files.
* Various messages in files or on programs.
* Changes volume label.
* Marks clusters as bad in the FAT.
* Randomly overwrites sectors on the hard disk.
* Replaces the MBR with own code.
* Create more than one partition.
* Attempts to access the hard disk drive, which can result in error messages such as: Invalid drive specification.
* Causes cross-linked files.
* Causes a "sector not found" error.
* Cause the system to run slow.
* Logical partitions created, partitions decrease in size.
* A directory may be displayed as garbage.
* Directory order may be modified so files, such as COM files, will start at the beginning of the directory.
* Cause Hardware problems such as keyboard keys not working, printer issues, modem issues etc.
* Disable ports such as LPT or COM ports.
* Caused keyboard keys to be remapped.
* Alter the system time / date.
* Cause system to hang or freeze randomly.
* Cause activity on HDD or FDD randomly.
* Increase file size.
* Increase or decrease memory size.
* Randomly change file or memory size.
* Extended boot times.
* Increase disk access times.
* Cause computer to make strange noises, make music, clicking noises or beeps.
* Display pictures randomly.
* Different and/or undocumented types of error messages.
Detecting viruses
The recommended method of detecting and cleaning the computer from any computer viruses or other malware is an antivirus protection program. A listing of antivirus protection programs and what they help protect can be found on here later
Alternatively, a user can look at various aspects of the computer and detect possible signs indicating a virus is on the computer. While this method can be used to determine some viruses, it cannot clean or determine the exact virus you may or may not have and is not recommended.
Virus myths
Below are come comments we've come across that are common misconceptions when it comes to computer viruses and other malware.
"If I download a file onto a disk, I don't have to worry about a viruses." - This is not true, just because you've placed a file on a diskette or moved a file from a diskette to your hard drive does not mean that your computer cannot be infected. Many viruses are memory resident and capable of loading themselves into memory once a diskette is placed in the computer.
"If I buy sealed software I don't have to worry about viruses." or "If I just buy registered software I don't have to worry about viruses." - This is not always true, just because the program may be surrounded in plastic doesn't mean that it cannot be infected with a virus. When a software program is saved onto a diskette or disc if that computer or program is infected the virus will attach itself. Although this issue very rarely occurs it is still a possibility.
"If I don't download anything off of the Internet I don't have to worry about viruses." - This is definitely not true. Although most companies and web sites will scan the files for viruses before they make them available to virus, spyware, Trojan horses, or other "If I just read my e-mail, I will not have to worry about viruses." - Not true; there are viruses out there that are distributed through e-mail; also, files can be attached with e-mail and if executed can infect the computer. Today this is one of the most common ways computer viruses spread around the world.
"If I don't get on the Internet I don't have to worry about viruses." - This, unfortunately, is not the case. Although many viruses are spread over the Internet today it is still possible to contract a computer virus form any diskette or disc you put in the computer.
"You can contract viruses from just looking at web pages." - Not true. However, you can contract a virus if you download and execute a file from that web page. In addition spyware and other scripts can be executed from just viewing a web page. Although these programs are not designed to delete files on your computer they should be considered a privacy violation.
Below are different issues you may experience when you are infected with a virus. Keep in mind that you also may be experiencing any of the below issues by another computer related issue and not a virus.
* Deleted files.
* Various messages in files or on programs.
* Changes volume label.
* Marks clusters as bad in the FAT.
* Randomly overwrites sectors on the hard disk.
* Replaces the MBR with own code.
* Create more than one partition.
* Attempts to access the hard disk drive, which can result in error messages such as: Invalid drive specification.
* Causes cross-linked files.
* Causes a "sector not found" error.
* Cause the system to run slow.
* Logical partitions created, partitions decrease in size.
* A directory may be displayed as garbage.
* Directory order may be modified so files, such as COM files, will start at the beginning of the directory.
* Cause Hardware problems such as keyboard keys not working, printer issues, modem issues etc.
* Disable ports such as LPT or COM ports.
* Caused keyboard keys to be remapped.
* Alter the system time / date.
* Cause system to hang or freeze randomly.
* Cause activity on HDD or FDD randomly.
* Increase file size.
* Increase or decrease memory size.
* Randomly change file or memory size.
* Extended boot times.
* Increase disk access times.
* Cause computer to make strange noises, make music, clicking noises or beeps.
* Display pictures randomly.
* Different and/or undocumented types of error messages.
Detecting viruses
The recommended method of detecting and cleaning the computer from any computer viruses or other malware is an antivirus protection program. A listing of antivirus protection programs and what they help protect can be found on here later
Alternatively, a user can look at various aspects of the computer and detect possible signs indicating a virus is on the computer. While this method can be used to determine some viruses, it cannot clean or determine the exact virus you may or may not have and is not recommended.
Virus myths
Below are come comments we've come across that are common misconceptions when it comes to computer viruses and other malware.
"If I download a file onto a disk, I don't have to worry about a viruses." - This is not true, just because you've placed a file on a diskette or moved a file from a diskette to your hard drive does not mean that your computer cannot be infected. Many viruses are memory resident and capable of loading themselves into memory once a diskette is placed in the computer.
"If I buy sealed software I don't have to worry about viruses." or "If I just buy registered software I don't have to worry about viruses." - This is not always true, just because the program may be surrounded in plastic doesn't mean that it cannot be infected with a virus. When a software program is saved onto a diskette or disc if that computer or program is infected the virus will attach itself. Although this issue very rarely occurs it is still a possibility.
"If I don't download anything off of the Internet I don't have to worry about viruses." - This is definitely not true. Although most companies and web sites will scan the files for viruses before they make them available to virus, spyware, Trojan horses, or other "If I just read my e-mail, I will not have to worry about viruses." - Not true; there are viruses out there that are distributed through e-mail; also, files can be attached with e-mail and if executed can infect the computer. Today this is one of the most common ways computer viruses spread around the world.
"If I don't get on the Internet I don't have to worry about viruses." - This, unfortunately, is not the case. Although many viruses are spread over the Internet today it is still possible to contract a computer virus form any diskette or disc you put in the computer.
"You can contract viruses from just looking at web pages." - Not true. However, you can contract a virus if you download and execute a file from that web page. In addition spyware and other scripts can be executed from just viewing a web page. Although these programs are not designed to delete files on your computer they should be considered a privacy violation.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Type's of Virus
Strange as it may sound, the computer virus is something of an Information Age marvel. On one hand, viruses show us how vulnerable we are -- a properly engineered virus can have a devastating effect, disrupting productivity and doing billions of dollars in damages. On the other hand, they show us how sophisticated and interconnected human beings have become.
For example, experts estimate that the Mydoom worm infected approximately a quarter-million computers in a single day in January 2004. Back in March 1999, the Melissa virus was so powerful that it forced Microsoft and a number of other very large companies to completely turn off their e-mail systems until the virus could be contained. The ILOVEYOU virus in 2000 had a similarly devastating effect. In January 2007, a worm called Storm appeared -- by October, experts believed up to 50 million computers were infected. That's pretty impressive when you consider that many viruses are incredibly simple.
When you listen to the news, you hear about many different forms of electronic infection. The most common are:
* Viruses - A virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on real programs. For example, a virus might attach itself to a program such as a spreadsheet program. Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the virus runs, too, and it has the chance to reproduce (by attaching to other programs) or wreak havoc.
* E-mail viruses - An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens of people in the victim's e-mail address book. Some e-mail viruses don't even require a double-click -- they launch when you view the infected message in the preview pane of your e-mail software
* Trojan horses - A Trojan horse is simply a computer program. The program claims to do one thing (it may claim to be a game) but instead does damage when you run it (it may erase your hard disk). Trojan horses have no way to replicate automatically.
* Worms - A worm is a small piece of software that uses computer networks and security holes to replicate itself. A copy of the worm scans the network for another machine that has a specific security hole. It copies itself to the new machine using the security hole, and then starts replicating from there, as well.
A1 Web Links Blog Directory
For example, experts estimate that the Mydoom worm infected approximately a quarter-million computers in a single day in January 2004. Back in March 1999, the Melissa virus was so powerful that it forced Microsoft and a number of other very large companies to completely turn off their e-mail systems until the virus could be contained. The ILOVEYOU virus in 2000 had a similarly devastating effect. In January 2007, a worm called Storm appeared -- by October, experts believed up to 50 million computers were infected. That's pretty impressive when you consider that many viruses are incredibly simple.
When you listen to the news, you hear about many different forms of electronic infection. The most common are:
* Viruses - A virus is a small piece of software that piggybacks on real programs. For example, a virus might attach itself to a program such as a spreadsheet program. Each time the spreadsheet program runs, the virus runs, too, and it has the chance to reproduce (by attaching to other programs) or wreak havoc.
* E-mail viruses - An e-mail virus travels as an attachment to e-mail messages, and usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to dozens of people in the victim's e-mail address book. Some e-mail viruses don't even require a double-click -- they launch when you view the infected message in the preview pane of your e-mail software
* Trojan horses - A Trojan horse is simply a computer program. The program claims to do one thing (it may claim to be a game) but instead does damage when you run it (it may erase your hard disk). Trojan horses have no way to replicate automatically.
* Worms - A worm is a small piece of software that uses computer networks and security holes to replicate itself. A copy of the worm scans the network for another machine that has a specific security hole. It copies itself to the new machine using the security hole, and then starts replicating from there, as well.
A1 Web Links Blog Directory
Saturday, July 4, 2009
So, you've just discovered that you have a nasty, stubborn spyware, adware or virus file on your computer. You've run your spyware and adware program and even tried an online scanning service to try and remove it...all to no avail. You're sitting back in your office chair wondering what in the world you're going to do now. We'll first and foremost, Don't Panic! Ok, it may be a little late for that piece of advice. How about, Don't throw your computer out the window! Relax, go get a cup of coffee and comeback when you've clamed down because all is not lost. We're here to help!
Ok, now that you're back and relatively calm, we can tell you that there are places on the Internet where you can get free help on resolving your problem. They are called help forums, and there are many specifically dedicated to spyware, adware and virus removal. Before you go surfing off to find one on your own, please take a moment to review the following information on how to correctly use them. We promise if you take the time to review these tips and tricks, your forum experience will be a lot more rewarding and a lot less frustrating. All right, here we go:
1. Most Importantly - Please bear in mind that almost all free help forums are staffed solely by volunteers. They are offering their expertise out of the goodness of their hearts. While your problem is driving you nuts and you're on a razors edge nerve wise, you need to remember that it's not the volunteers fault. These people need to feel your appreciation not your wrath.
2. Do Some House Cleaning - Before you head off to a help forum, make sure you have run all the tools at your disposal to try and clean your system up. These include any antivirus, spyware - adware programs you may have on your computer. Make sure the programs adware, spyware and/or virus definitions are updated before you run them. This step alone could solve your problem and you may not even have to visit a help forum. If your program has a log feature included with it, make sure you enable it. Save the log file after you run the program(s) as the help volunteer will most likely ask you to paste the scan results into the forum.
3. Optional House Cleaning - If you don't have any antivirus or spyware - adware programs installed on your computer, you need to get them as soon as you've resolved your problem. However, for now you can run a free online scan using a reputable service. We've listed some links to these below. Check to see if the service offers a log feature for the scan. If it does, use it and save it to a text file to paste later in the help forum you visit.
Ok, now that you're back and relatively calm, we can tell you that there are places on the Internet where you can get free help on resolving your problem. They are called help forums, and there are many specifically dedicated to spyware, adware and virus removal. Before you go surfing off to find one on your own, please take a moment to review the following information on how to correctly use them. We promise if you take the time to review these tips and tricks, your forum experience will be a lot more rewarding and a lot less frustrating. All right, here we go:
1. Most Importantly - Please bear in mind that almost all free help forums are staffed solely by volunteers. They are offering their expertise out of the goodness of their hearts. While your problem is driving you nuts and you're on a razors edge nerve wise, you need to remember that it's not the volunteers fault. These people need to feel your appreciation not your wrath.
2. Do Some House Cleaning - Before you head off to a help forum, make sure you have run all the tools at your disposal to try and clean your system up. These include any antivirus, spyware - adware programs you may have on your computer. Make sure the programs adware, spyware and/or virus definitions are updated before you run them. This step alone could solve your problem and you may not even have to visit a help forum. If your program has a log feature included with it, make sure you enable it. Save the log file after you run the program(s) as the help volunteer will most likely ask you to paste the scan results into the forum.
3. Optional House Cleaning - If you don't have any antivirus or spyware - adware programs installed on your computer, you need to get them as soon as you've resolved your problem. However, for now you can run a free online scan using a reputable service. We've listed some links to these below. Check to see if the service offers a log feature for the scan. If it does, use it and save it to a text file to paste later in the help forum you visit.
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