Need help mith dhcpsapiq.dll browser helper

[skrebbe]

Hello together,

I have ahuge problem. I have a trojan or rootkit, I am not sure.
It always runs the dhcpsapiq.dll. It is started with an svchost comman. Also A Service is installed with changing names. When I rmove the dll it is shortly back in windows\system32 directory. When I remove the service, it is newly installed. I can not find the secons program, which is doing that. can you please help me?

Here is hijackthis log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 14:27:39, on 28.12.2007
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\csrss.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\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\SCardSvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\Dit.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RunDll32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Medion\KeyStat\KeyStat.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\CA\ETRUST~1\realmon.exe
C:\Programme\Home Cinema\PowerCinema\PCMService.exe
C:\Programme\Logitech\iTouch\iTouch.exe
C:\Programme\Hewlett-Packard\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb08.exe
C:\Programme\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpotdd01.exe
C:\Programme\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
C:\Programme\SlySoft\CloneCD\CloneCDTray.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\HEWLET~1\HPSHAR~1\hpgs2wnf.exe
C:\Programme\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Programme\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Programme\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe
C:\Programme\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Programme\InCode Solutions\RemoveIT Pro v4-Trial\removeit.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\rapimgr.exe
C:\Programme\InterVideo\Common\Bin\WinCinemaMgr.exe
C:\Programme\InterVideo\WinDVR\WinScheduler.exe
C:\Programme\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\WinPatrolEx.exe
C:\Programme\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BTNtService.exe
C:\Programme\Home Cinema\PowerCinema\Kernel\TV\CLCapSvc.exe
C:\Programme\CyberLink\Shared Files\CLML_NTService\CLMLServer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Programme\CyberLink\Shared Files\CLML_NTService\CLMLService.exe
C:\Programme\CA\eTrust Antivirus\InoRT.exe
C:\Programme\CA\eTrust Antivirus\InoTask.exe
C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Programme\Home Cinema\PowerCinema\Kernel\TV\CLSched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\X10\Common\x10nets.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Programme\RegSupreme\RegSupreme.exe
C:\Anti Spy\hijackthis_199\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.t-online.de/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.aldi.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://www.aldi.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Programme\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {2D57AA9D-838D-429C-9206-7812BA759AE9} - c:\windows\system32\dhcpsapiq.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\programme\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\programme\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dit] Dit.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cmaudio] RunDll32 cmicnfg.cpl,CMICtrlWnd
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Keyboard Status] C:\PROGRA~1\Medion\KeyStat\KeyStat.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Realtime Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\CA\ETRUST~1\realmon.exe -s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMService] "C:\Programme\Home Cinema\PowerCinema\PCMService.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [zBrowser Launcher] C:\Programme\Logitech\iTouch\iTouch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Programme\Hewlett-Packard\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb08.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DeviceDiscovery] C:\Programme\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpotdd01.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Share-to-Web Namespace Daemon] C:\Programme\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CloneCDTray] "C:\Programme\SlySoft\CloneCD\CloneCDTray.exe" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Programme\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Programme\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] C:\Programme\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\Programme\Microsoft ActiveSync\wcescomm.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Programme\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RemoveIT Pro XT] C:\Programme\InCode Solutions\RemoveIT Pro v4-Trial\removeit.exe
O4 - Global Startup: ControlCenter.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: InterVideo WinCinema Manager.lnk = C:\Programme\InterVideo\Common\Bin\WinCinemaMgr.exe
O4 - Global Startup: InterVideo WinScheduler.lnk = C:\Programme\InterVideo\WinDVR\WinScheduler.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Programme\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: WISO Urteilsmonitor.lnk = ?
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Programme\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Konsole - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Programme\Java\jre1.5.0_01\bin\npjpi150_01.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Mobilen Favoriten erstellen... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI3AA1~1\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Programme\AIM95\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {B205A35E-1FC4-4CE3-818B-899DBBB3388C} - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Microsoft Shared\Encarta Search Bar\ENCSBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: ICQ Lite - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Programme\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ Lite - {B863453A-26C3-4e1f-A54D-A2CD196348E9} - C:\Programme\ICQLite\ICQLite.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Programme\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Programme\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\programme\bonjour\mdnsnsp.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Programme\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.aldi.com/
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5consumer/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1106843944468
O16 - DPF: {9B17FE0E-51F2-4692-8B32-8EFB805FC0E7} (HPObjectInstaller Class) - http://h30155.www3.hp.com/ediags/dd/install/guidedsolutions.cab
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\GEMEIN~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: jbvhavpd - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dhcpsapiq.dll
O23 - Service: BlueSoleil Hid Service - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\IVT Corporation\BlueSoleil\BTNtService.exe
O23 - Service: ##Id_String1.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762## (Bonjour Service) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Programme\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Background Capture Service (CBCS) (CLCapSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\Home Cinema\PowerCinema\Kernel\TV\CLCapSvc.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Task Scheduler (CTS) (CLSched) - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\Home Cinema\PowerCinema\Kernel\TV\CLSched.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Media Library Service - Cyberlink - C:\Programme\CyberLink\Shared Files\CLML_NTService\CLMLServer.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Programme\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: eTrust Antivirus RPC Server (InoRPC) - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Programme\CA\eTrust Antivirus\InoRpc.exe
O23 - Service: eTrust Antivirus Realtime Server (InoRT) - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Programme\CA\eTrust Antivirus\InoRT.exe
O23 - Service: eTrust Antivirus Job Server (InoTask) - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\Programme\CA\eTrust Antivirus\InoTask.exe
O23 - Service: Macromedia Licensing Service - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Macromedia Shared\Service\Macromedia Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: MySQL - Unknown owner - C:\Programme\MySQL\MySQL.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Sandra Data Service (SandraDataSrv) - SiSoftware - C:\Programme\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite 2005.SR3\RpcDataSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Sandra Service (SandraTheSrv) - SiSoftware - C:\Programme\SiSoftware\SiSoftware Sandra Lite 2005.SR3\RpcSandraSrv.exe
O23 - Service: StarWind iSCSI Service (StarWindService) - Rocket Division Software - C:\Programme\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 120\StarWind\StarWindService.exe
O23 - Service: X10 Device Network Service (x10nets) - X10 - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\X10\Common\x10nets.exe

[ndmmxiaomayi]

Hi skrebbe. :)

Welcome to Safer Networking.

Step 1

If you already have Combofix, please delete this copy and download it again as it's being updated regularly.

Please download the beta version of Combofix from Bleeping Computer (http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/Beta/ComboFix.exe). Save it to your desktop.

If you can't download it, please try these 2 alternative sites:

Forospyware (http://www.forospyware.com/sUBs/Beta/ComboFix.exe)
Geeks to Go (http://subs.geekstogo.com/Beta/ComboFix.exe)

Double click to run it. Follow the prompts. Once done, it will reboot and a log will be produced. Please post that log and a new HijackThis log in your next reply.

Step 2

Please download and install CCleaner Slim (http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds/downloading-slim).
Once installed, double click on the desktop shortcut created.
On the leftmost column, click on Tools.
On the middle column, click on Uninstall.
At the bottom right hand corner, click on the Save to text file... button.
By default, it saves this file to C:\Program Files\CCleaner named install.txt. You may want to save it to your desktop to find it easily. Click Save.
Close CCleaner.

In your next reply, please post:

Combofix log (C:\Combofix.txt)
A new HijackThis log
CCleaner install.txt

[ndmmxiaomayi]

Hi,

Do you still need help?

[skrebbe]

Hello ndmmxiaomayi,

thank you for your question. I was two weeks not on my computer.
I think I managed it by myself. A combination of 2 Virus Scanners removed all according and infected files. I only had to replace the infected tcpip.sys and now the system seems to run without any problems and any malware. I only have an empty entry in the IE Helper section of Winpatrol which is Typ of Toolbar, which I can not remove.

A scan with Spybot and AdAware showed no infection.

Thank you very much for your help.

[ndmmxiaomayi]

So you no longer need help?

[skrebbe]

Hi!

At the moment I do not need any further help.
When there are new problems, I will post again!

Thank you very much!

Bernd

[ndmmxiaomayi]

OK.

Here are some ways to prevent an infection again.

Keep your system updated

Microsoft releases patches for Windows and Office products regularly to patch up Windows and Office products loopholes and fix any bugs found. Please ensure that you visit the following websites regularly or do update your system regularly.

Install the updates immediately if they are found. Reboot your computer if necessary, revisit Windows Update and Office update sites until there are no more updates to be installed.

To update Windows

Go to Start > All Programs > Windows Update

To update Office

Open up any Office program.

Go to Help > Check for Updates

Alternatively, you can visit the links below to update Windows and Office products.

Windows Update (http://update.microsoft.com/)
Office Update (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx)

If you are forgetful, you can change some settings so that you will be informed of updates. Here's how:

Go to Start > Control Panel > Automatic Updates
Select Automatic (recommended) radio button if you want the updates to be downloaded and installed without prompting you.
Select Download updates for me, but let me chose when to install them radio button if you want the updates to be downloaded automatically but to be installed at another time.
Select Notify me but don't automatically download or install them radio button if you want to be notified of the updates.

Besides Windows that needs regular updating, antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall programs update regularly too.

Please make sure that you update your antivirus, firewall and anti-spyware programs at least once a week.

Be careful when opening attachments and downloading files.

Never open email attachments, not even if they are from someone you know. If you need to open them, scan them with your antivirus program before opening.
Never open emails from unknown senders.
Beware of emails that warn about viruses that are spreading, especially those from antivirus vendors. These email addresses can be easily spoofed. Check the antivirus vendor websites to be sure.
Be careful of what you download. Only download files from known sources. Also, avoid cracked programs. If you need a particular program that costs too much for you, try finding free alternatives on Sourceforge (http://sourceforge.net/) or Pricelessware (http://www.pricelesswarehome.org/).

Stop malicious scripts

Windows by default allow scripts (which is VBScript and JavaScript) to run and some of these scripts are malicious. Use Noscript (http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/noscript.exe) by Symantec or Script Defender (http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/system/sdefend.htm) by AnalogX to handle these scripts.

Backup regularly

You never know when your PC will become unstable or become so infected that you can't recover it. Follow this Microsoft article (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/howbackup.mspx) to learn how to backup. Follow this article (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309340) by Microsoft to restore your backups.

Alternatively, you can use 3rd-party programs to back up your data. One example can be found at Bleeping Computer (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial127.html).

Make your Internet Explorer safer

For Internet Explorer 6

Open Internet Explorer. Click on Tools > Options.
Click on the Security tab.
Click on the Internet icon.
Click on the Custom Level button.
Under Download signed ActiveX controls, select Prompt.
Under Download unsigned ActiveX controls, select Disable.
Under Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe, select Disable.
Under Installation of desktop items, select Prompt.
Under Launching programs and files in an IFRAME, select Prompt.
Under Navigate sub-frames across different domains, select Prompt.
Under Allow paste operations via script, select Disable.
Click OK to apply these settings.
If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
Press OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
For a pictorial guide, please refer to this article (http://surfthenetsafely.com/slides/ieconfigureslide1.htm).

Avoid P2P

P2P may be a great way to get lots of stuffs, but it is a great way to get infected as well. There's no way to tell if the file being shared is infected. Worse still, some worms spread via P2P networks, infecting you as well. If you do need to use them, use them sparingly. Check this list of clean and infected P2P programs (http://p2p.malawreremoval.com/) if you need to use one.

Prevent a re-infection

Spyware Blaster
SpywareBlaster is a program that is used to secure Internet Explorer by making it harder for ActiveX (http://surfthenetsafely.com/activex.htm) programs to run on your computer. It does this by disabling known offending ActiveX programs from running at all.

You can download SpywareBlaster from Javacool (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html).

If you need help in using SpywareBlaster, you can read SpywareBlaster's tutorial (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html) at Bleeping Computer.

SpywareGuard
Just as an antivirus program scans a file for viruses before opening it, SpywareGuard does the same thing, except that it scans it for spywares.

You can download SpywareGuard from Javacool (http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html).

If you need help in using SpywareGuard, you can SpywareGuard's tutorial (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial50.html) at Bleeping Computer.

IE-SPYAD
IE-SPYAD adds over 5000 sites to your Internet Explorer restricted zone so that you will be protected if the website turns out to be a bad one. Sites that are in the restricted zone of Internet Explorer can't have any scripts ran, no downloads and cookies. However, you can still connect to these sites.

You can download IE-SPYAD from Spyware Warrior (http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/resource.htm). Be sure to read the whole website carefully for instructions on usage of IE-SPYAD.

Hosts File
A Hosts file is like a phone book. You look up someone's name in the phone book before calling him/her. Similarly, your PC will look up the website's IP address before you can view the website.

Hosts file will replace your current Hosts file with another one containing well-known advertisement sites, spyware sites and other bad sites. This new Hosts file will protect you by re-directing these bad sites to 127.0.0.1.

Here are some Hosts files:

MVPS Hosts File (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm)
Bluetack's Hosts File (http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=8406)
Bluetack's Host Manager (http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php?autocom=faq&CODE=02&qid=16)
hpHosts (http://hphosts.mysteryfcm.co.uk/?s=Download)

A tutorial (http://forum.malwareremoval.com/viewtopic.php?t=22187) about Hosts File can be found at Malware Removal.

Spybot Search and Destroy
Spybot Search & Destroy is another program for scanning spywares and adwares. Not only so, it has other preventive options as well. You are strongly encouraged to run a scan at least once per week.

Spybot Search & Destroy can be downloaded from here (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html).

If you need help in using Spybot Search & Destroy, you can read Spybot Search and Destroy tutorial (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial43.html) at Bleeping Computer.

a-squared Free
a-squared Free is also another program for scanning spywares and adwares. It doesn't have preventive features like Spybot Search & Destroy though.

You can download a-squared Free from here (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/download/).

Before downloading any anti-spyware programs, always check the Rogue/Suspect list of anti-spyware programs (http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm) and Malwarebytes RogueNET (http://www.malwarebytes.org/database.php). This will save you from a lot of trouble. If in doubt, don't ever download it.

SiteHound Toolbar
SiteHound (http://www.firetrust.com/en/products/sitehound) is a toolbar that warns you if you go to a site that is known to scam people, that has potentially lots of viruses or spywares or has questionable contents. If you know the site, you can enter it; if you don't, it will bring you back to the previous page. Currently, SiteHound works for Internet Explorer and Firefox only.

Winpatrol
Winpatrol is heuristic protection program, meaning it looks for patterns in codes that work like malware. It also takes a snapshot of your system's critical resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without you knowing. You can read more about Winpatrol's features here (http://www.winpatrol.com/features.html).

You can get a free copy (http://www.winpatrol.com/wpsetup.exe) of Winpatrol or use the Plus version (http://winpatrol.stores.yahoo.net/winplusmemre.html) for more features.

You can read Winpatrol's FAQ (http://www.winpatrol.com/faq.html) if you run into problems.

Use an alternative Internet Browser

Many of the exploits are directed to users of Internet Explorer. Try using a different browser instead.

Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/)
Opera (http://www.opera.com/download/)
K-Meleon (http://kmeleon.sourceforge.net/download.php)

Use an alternative email client

If you are using Outlook Express as your default email client, try using Thunderbird (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/) or Pegasus Mail (http://www.pmail.com/) instead.

Here are some more things to read about:

List of clean and infected download managers (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/articles/download-managers.html)
Configuring Skype (http://www.tcd.ie/iss/internet/skype.php)
Greater email safety (http://surfthenetsafely.com/ieseczone7.htm)
Phishing - what is it? (http://surfthenetsafely.com/phishing.htm)
Configuring Outlook Express (http://surfthenetsafely.com/slides/oeconfigureslide1.htm)
The Unofficial Cookie FAQ (http://www.cookiecentral.com/faq)
Securing your home wireless network (http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Wireless-Network-Security-Home.html)
80 Super Security Tips (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1838690,00.asp)
The different classes of security softwares (http://wiki.castlecops.com/Different_classes_of_security_software)