can't remove virtumonde & smitfraud-c.toolbar 888

[Shaba]

Hi

Then you're clean!

Yes, you can delete vundofix.

You can tell daughter that not to click every link that someone sends via Messenger.

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

• Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows XP then you should disable and re-enable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point.
  
  You can find instructions on how to enable and reenable system restore here:
  
  Windows XP System Restore Guide

Reenable system restore with instructions from tutorial above

• Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
• From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
• Click once on the Security tab
• Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
• Click once on the Custom Level button.
• Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
  
• Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
  
• Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
  
• Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
  
• Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
  
• Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
  
• When all these settings 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.
• Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

• Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an 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

• Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive 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.
  
  
• Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
  
  For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
  
  Understanding and Using Firewalls
  
  
• Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
  
  
  
  
  
• 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 enhance your safety

• IE/Spyad <= IE/Spyad places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will 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.
• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
• Google Toolbar <= Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
• 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

Stand Up and Be Counted ---> Malware Complaints <--- where you can make difference!

The site offers people who have been (or are) victims of malware the opportunity to document their story and, in that way, launch a complaint against the malware and the makers of the malware.

Also, please read this great article by Tony Klein So How Did I Get Infected In First Place

Happy surfing and stay clean!

[cazzyk]

Can i just ask a question

Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs

I have 2 java progams J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6 and Java(TM)SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 1, is this as it should be or should I delete one of them?

[Shaba]

Hi

You should uninstall J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6 as it's older version than Java(TM)SE Runtime Environment 6 Update 1.

[cazzyk]

Hi

I have windows set for automatic updates, is this ok or would you advise doing these manually?

Your advice on disk cleanup and defragment would be most welcome, this hasn't been done since I purchased this particular machine last year.

My son is using IE6 on his computer, would this cause potential problems and would he be better off updating to IE7?

Sorry for the neverending stream of questions but I might as well ask the experts.

Thanks

[cazzyk]

Hi

Had another thought, what about the Vundofix backups folders on c-drive

[cazzyk]

I also have 25 files in the virus vault on avg - what do I do with these, leave them there? I'm presuming if i empty the vault these will be reinstated on the system or will they be permanently deleted?

[Shaba]

Hi

"I have windows set for automatic updates, is this ok or would you advise doing these manually?"

Yes, it's ok.

You should try running disk defrag in safe mode

For disk cleanup, ATF cleaner should be good:

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune and save
it to desktop.

Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
Under Main choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.

If you use Firefox browser

Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

If you use Opera browser

Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

Click Exit to close ATF-Cleaner.

You can empty that vundofix backups folder or delete it.

If you empty AVG virus vault those viruses will get deleted.

[cazzyk]

Hi

I've run ATF, no problems

Have deleted vundofix backup folder and files from virus vault.

Everything seems to be clear.

Will run disk defrag in the morning.

[Shaba]

Hi

How's it going cazzyk?

[cazzyk]

Hi

Sorry for the delay we have lack of internet due to service provider problems!

Everything seems to be ok, all scans show clear.

haven't managed to do disk defrag yet but I'm sure that'll be ok

Thanks again for all your help.