Can't Get Rid of WIN32.FraudLoad.Edt

[Blade81]

Do you need any more information from this scan?

DDS report coming...

Please post about current status of the system (any issues left) together with DDS log

[ragingjess]

Hello! Here's the DDS Report. I'm still getting Win32.FraudLoad.Edt when I run Spybot - log attached. Thing is stickier than molasses in July.

Also, I've got two Desktop.ini files that seem to have just appeared on my desktop. (Or, at least, I've just noticed them.) Do I need to keep these?

Thank you so much!

***

DDS (Ver_09-12-01.01) - NTFSx86
Run by Jessica Bathurst at 12:17:10.54 on Mon 02/22/2010
Internet Explorer: 7.0.6002.18005 BrowserJavaVersion: 1.6.0_18
Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium 6.0.6002.2.1252.1.1033.18.3062.1734 [GMT -5:00]

SP: Spybot - Search and Destroy *disabled* (Updated) {ED588FAF-1B8F-43B4-ACA8-8E3C85DADBE9}
SP: Lavasoft Ad-Watch Live! *disabled* (Updated) {67844DAE-4F77-4D69-9457-98E8CFFDAA22}
SP: Windows Defender *disabled* (Updated) {D68DDC3A-831F-4FAE-9E44-DA132C1ACF46}

============== Running Processes ===============

C:\Windows\system32\wininit.exe
C:\Windows\system32\lsm.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k DcomLaunch
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k rpcss
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k secsvcs
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k LocalSystemNetworkRestricted
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalService
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkService
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNoNetwork
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\agrsmsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k hpdevmgmt
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Iaantmon.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k HPZ12
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\Norton AntiVirus\Engine\16.8.0.41\ccSvcHst.exe
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k HPZ12
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k NetworkServiceNetworkRestricted
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBCFMonitorService.exe
C:\Windows\system32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc
C:\Windows\System32\svchost.exe -k WerSvcGroup
C:\Windows\system32\SearchIndexer.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDWinSec.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\Norton AntiVirus\Engine\16.8.0.41\ccSvcHst.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAAnotif.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Camera Assistant Software for Gateway\traybar.exe
C:\Program Files\Spare Backup\SpareBackup.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\hpwuSchd2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\sttray.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money Plus\MNYCoreFiles\mnybbsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Palm\Hotsync.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Camera Assistant Software for Gateway\CEC_MAIN.exe
C:\Windows\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqbam08.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
\\?\C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WMIADAP.EXE
C:\Windows\servicing\TrustedInstaller.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Windows\explorer.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\DllHost.exe
C:\Users\Jessica Bathurst\Downloads\dds(2).scr

============== Pseudo HJT Report ===============

uStart Page = hxxp://www.gateway.com/g/startpage.html?Ch=Retail&SubCH=BB&Br=GTW&Loc=ENG_US&Sys=PTB&M=M-6750
mStart Page = hxxp://www.gateway.com/g/startpage.html?Ch=Retail&SubCH=BB&Br=GTW&Loc=ENG_US&Sys=PTB&M=M-6750
uInternet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
BHO: HP Print Enhancer: {0347c33e-8762-4905-bf09-768834316c61} - c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\hpswp_printenhancer.dll
BHO: Adobe PDF Link Helper: {18df081c-e8ad-4283-a596-fa578c2ebdc3} - c:\program files\common files\adobe\acrobat\activex\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer: {3049c3e9-b461-4bc5-8870-4c09146192ca} - c:\program files\real\realplayer\rpbrowserrecordplugin.dll
BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection: {53707962-6f74-2d53-2644-206d7942484f} - c:\progra~1\spybot~1\SDHelper.dll
BHO: Symantec Intrusion Prevention: {6d53ec84-6aae-4787-aeee-f4628f01010c} - c:\program files\norton antivirus\norton antivirus\engine\16.8.0.41\IPSBHO.DLL
BHO: {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - No File
BHO: CBrowserHelperObject Object: {ca6319c0-31b7-401e-a518-a07c3db8f777} - c:\windows\system32\BAE.dll
BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper: {dbc80044-a445-435b-bc74-9c25c1c588a9} - c:\program files\java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
BHO: HP Smart BHO Class: {ffffffff-cf4e-4f2b-bdc2-0e72e116a856} - c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
EB: HP Smart Web Printing: {555d4d79-4bd2-4094-a395-cfc534424a05} - c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\hpswp_bho.dll
uRun: [MoneyBackgoundBanking] "c:\program files\microsoft money plus\mnycorefiles\mnybbsvc.exe"
mRun: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
mRun: [IgfxTray] c:\windows\system32\igfxtray.exe
mRun: [HotKeysCmds] c:\windows\system32\hkcmd.exe
mRun: [Persistence] c:\windows\system32\igfxpers.exe
mRun: [IAAnotif] "c:\program files\intel\intel matrix storage manager\Iaanotif.exe"
mRun: [SynTPEnh] c:\program files\synaptics\syntp\SynTPEnh.exe
mRun: [Camera Assistant Software] "c:\program files\camera assistant software for gateway\traybar.exe"
mRun: [Spare Backup] "c:\program files\spare backup\SpareBackup.exe" /silent
mRun: [HP Software Update] c:\program files\hp\hp software update\HPWuSchd2.exe
mRun: [Intuit SyncManager] c:\program files\common files\intuit\sync\IntuitSyncManager.exe startup
mRun: [SigmatelSysTrayApp] sttray.exe
mRun: [WinampAgent] "c:\program files\winamp\winampa.exe"
mRun: [TkBellExe] "c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\realsched.exe" -osboot
mRun: [QuickTime Task] "c:\program files\quicktime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
mRun: [iTunesHelper] "c:\program files\itunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
mRun: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "c:\program files\adobe\reader 9.0\reader\Reader_sl.exe"
mRun: [Adobe ARM] "c:\program files\common files\adobe\arm\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
mRun: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "c:\program files\common files\java\java update\jusched.exe"
mRunOnce: [Launcher] %WINDIR%\SMINST\launcher.exe
StartupFolder: c:\progra~2\micros~1\windows\startm~1\programs\startup\hotsyn~1.lnk - c:\program files\palm\Hotsync.exe
StartupFolder: c:\progra~2\micros~1\windows\startm~1\programs\startup\hpdigi~1.lnk - c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
StartupFolder: c:\progra~2\micros~1\windows\startm~1\programs\startup\micros~1.lnk - c:\program files\microsoft office\office10\OSA.EXE
StartupFolder: c:\progra~2\micros~1\windows\startm~1\programs\startup\quickb~1.lnk - c:\program files\common files\intuit\quickbooks\qbupdate\qbupdate.exe
mPolicies-explorer: BindDirectlyToPropertySetStorage = 0 (0x0)
mPolicies-system: EnableUIADesktopToggle = 0 (0x0)
IE: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - c:\progra~1\micros~3\office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
IE: {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
IE: {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - c:\progra~1\spybot~1\SDHelper.dll
DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_18-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0018-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_18-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {CAFEEFAC-FFFF-FFFF-FFFF-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/update/1.6.0/jinstall-1_6_0_18-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {FFBB3F3B-0A5A-4106-BE53-DFE1E2340CB1} - hxxp://dlm.tools.akamai.com/dlmanager/versions/activex/dlm-activex-latest.cab
Handler: intu-help-qb2 - {84D77A00-41B5-4b8b-8ADF-86486D72E749} - c:\program files\intuit\quickbooks 2009\HelpAsyncPluggableProtocol.dll
Handler: qbwc - {FC598A64-626C-4447-85B8-53150405FD57} - c:\windows\system32\mscoree.dll
Notify: igfxcui - igfxdev.dll

================= FIREFOX ===================

FF - ProfilePath - c:\users\jessic~1\appdata\roaming\mozilla\firefox\profiles\6ng3ol7b.default\
FF - prefs.js: browser.search.selectedEngine - Ask
FF - prefs.js: browser.startup.homepage - www.gmail.com
FF - prefs.js: keyword.URL - hxxp://toolbar.ask.com/toolbarv/askRedirect?o=10607&gct=&gc=1&q=
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpClipBook.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpClipBookDB.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpNeoLogger.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpSaturn.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpSmartSelect.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpSmartWebPrinting.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpSWPOperation.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpXPLogging.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpXPMTC.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpXPMTL.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\components\hpXREStub.dll
FF - component: c:\program files\real\realplayer\browserrecord\firefox\ext\components\nprpffbrowserrecordext.dll
FF - component: c:\programdata\norton\{0c55c096-0f1d-4f28-aaa2-85ef591126e7}\norton\ipsffplgn\components\IPSFFPl.dll
FF - plugin: c:\program files\emusic download manager\plugin\npemusic.dll
FF - plugin: c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\smart web printing\mozillaaddon3\plugins\nphpclipbook.dll
FF - plugin: c:\program files\musicnotes\npmusicn.dll
FF - plugin: c:\program files\musicnotes\NPSibelius.dll
FF - plugin: c:\users\jessica bathurst\appdata\roaming\mozilla\firefox\profiles\6ng3ol7b.default\extensions\moveplayer@movenetworks.com\platform\winnt_x86-msvc\plugins\npmnqmp071303000004.dll
FF - HiddenExtension: Microsoft .NET Framework Assistant: {20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b} - c:\windows\microsoft.net\framework\v3.5\windows presentation foundation\dotnetassistantextension\
FF - HiddenExtension: Java Console: No Registry Reference - c:\program files\mozilla firefox\extensions\{CAFEEFAC-0016-0000-0018-ABCDEFFEDCBA}

---- FIREFOX POLICIES ----
c:\program files\mozilla firefox\greprefs\security-prefs.js - pref("security.ssl3.rsa_seed_sha", true);

============= SERVICES / DRIVERS ===============

R0 Lbd;Lbd;c:\windows\system32\drivers\Lbd.sys [2010-2-11 64288]
R0 SymEFA;Symantec Extended File Attributes;c:\windows\system32\drivers\nav\1008000.029\SymEFA.sys [2010-2-2 310320]
R1 BHDrvx86;Symantec Heuristics Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\nav\1008000.029\BHDrvx86.sys [2010-2-2 259632]
R1 ccHP;Symantec Hash Provider;c:\windows\system32\drivers\nav\1008000.029\cchpx86.sys [2010-2-2 482432]
R1 IDSVix86;IDSVix86;c:\programdata\norton\{0c55c096-0f1d-4f28-aaa2-85ef591126e7}\norton\definitions\ipsdefs\20100218.001\IDSvix86.sys [2010-2-20 343088]
R2 Norton AntiVirus;Norton AntiVirus;c:\program files\norton antivirus\norton antivirus\engine\16.8.0.41\ccSvcHst.exe [2010-2-2 117640]
R2 SBSDWSCService;SBSD Security Center Service;c:\program files\spybot - search & destroy\SDWinSec.exe [2009-1-17 1153368]
R3 EraserUtilRebootDrv;EraserUtilRebootDrv;c:\program files\common files\symantec shared\eengine\EraserUtilRebootDrv.sys [2009-8-27 102448]
R3 MRVW147;Marvell TOPDOG (TM) 802.11bgn Driver for Vista Native WIFI (CB8x/EC8x);c:\windows\system32\drivers\MRVW147.sys [2007-8-17 526848]
R3 SYMNDISV;Symantec Network Filter Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\nav\1008000.029\symndisv.sys [2010-2-2 48688]
S3 FontCache;Windows Font Cache Service;c:\windows\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceAndNoImpersonation [2008-12-25 21504]
S3 Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service;Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service;c:\program files\lavasoft\ad-aware\AAWService.exe [2009-12-2 1181328]
S3 NETw2v32;Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG Network Connection Driver for Windows Vista;c:\windows\system32\drivers\NETw2v32.sys [2006-11-2 2589184]

=============== Created Last 30 ================

2010-02-22 06:10:44 0 d-sh--w- C:\$RECYCLE.BIN
2010-02-22 05:45:00 0 d-----w- c:\programdata\Sun
2010-02-22 05:44:00 411368 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\deploytk.dll
2010-02-21 04:04:06 98816 ----a-w- c:\windows\sed.exe
2010-02-21 04:04:06 77312 ----a-w- c:\windows\MBR.exe
2010-02-21 04:04:06 261632 ----a-w- c:\windows\PEV.exe
2010-02-21 04:04:06 161792 ----a-w- c:\windows\SWREG.exe
2010-02-14 05:02:19 181120 ------w- c:\windows\system32\MpSigStub.exe
2010-02-13 14:10:31 0 d-----w- c:\users\jessic~1\appdata\roaming\Malwarebytes
2010-02-13 14:10:14 38224 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbamswissarmy.sys
2010-02-13 14:09:58 0 d-----w- c:\programdata\Malwarebytes
2010-02-13 14:09:56 19160 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbam.sys
2010-02-13 14:09:55 0 d-----w- c:\program files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
2010-02-13 05:08:58 15880 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\lsdelete.exe
2010-02-11 13:14:51 64288 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\Lbd.sys
2010-02-10 15:50:22 0 dc-h--w- c:\programdata\{BC9FCCF7-E686-494B-8C9B-55C9A39A7CA9}
2010-02-10 15:07:57 0 d--h--w- c:\windows\PIF
2010-02-10 15:04:20 98816 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\srvnet.sys
2010-02-10 15:04:20 302080 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\srv.sys
2010-02-10 15:04:11 3600456 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\ntkrnlpa.exe
2010-02-10 15:04:11 3548216 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe
2010-02-08 22:02:56 188 ----a-w- c:\windows\wininit.ini

==================== Find3M ====================

2010-01-20 02:33:23 23090 ----a-w- c:\windows\hpqins15.dat
2009-12-18 13:01:56 78336 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\ieencode.dll
2009-12-16 11:44:23 834048 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\wininet.dll
2009-12-04 18:30:05 12288 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\tsbyuv.dll
2009-12-04 18:29:41 1314816 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\quartz.dll
2009-12-04 18:28:52 22528 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\msyuv.dll
2009-12-04 18:28:51 31744 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\msvidc32.dll
2009-12-04 18:28:51 123904 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\msvfw32.dll
2009-12-04 18:28:49 13312 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\msrle32.dll
2009-12-04 18:28:27 82944 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\mciavi32.dll
2009-12-04 18:28:21 50176 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\iyuv_32.dll
2009-12-04 18:27:12 91136 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\avifil32.dll
2009-11-17 08:21:35 665600 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\drvindex.dat
2009-11-17 08:21:35 51200 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\infpub.dat
2009-11-17 08:21:34 86016 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\infstor.dat
2009-11-17 08:21:34 143360 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\infstrng.dat
2008-12-29 20:27:48 174 --sha-w- c:\program files\desktop.ini
2006-11-02 12:42:02 30674 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfd.dat
2006-11-02 12:42:02 30674 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfc.dat
2006-11-02 12:42:02 287440 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfi.dat
2006-11-02 12:42:02 287440 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0409\perfh.dat
2006-11-02 09:20:21 287440 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfi.dat
2006-11-02 09:20:21 287440 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfh.dat
2006-11-02 09:20:19 30674 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfd.dat
2006-11-02 09:20:19 30674 ----a-w- c:\windows\inf\perflib\0000\perfc.dat

============= FINISH: 12:19:20.36 ===============

[Blade81]

Hi,

Could you let Spybot fix that, reboot and then run scan again? If it's still found please take a screenshot that shows the finding and zip it to your reply.

[ragingjess]

Good morning! I'm attaching three screenshots - one showing the malware, one showing that it's fixed, and one showing the same malware coming up on a scan after rebooting. Thanks again!

[Blade81]

Hi,

I would need to see what's behind that "+"-sign of entry (click it to reveal the location of detected item). It's possible that finding is a false positive.

[ragingjess]

Here 'tis - I should note that I am having no problems with the operation of my laptop.

Thanks again!

[Blade81]

Hi,

I believe that's probably false positive then. You may post at Spybot false positives subforum so they can take a look at it.


I'll give you the final steps next


THESE STEPS ARE VERY IMPORTANT

Let's reset system restore
Reset and Re-enable your System Restore to remove infected files that have been backed up by Windows. The files in System Restore are protected to prevent any programs changing those files. This is the only way to clean these files: You will lose all previous restore points which are likely to be infected. Please note you need Administrator Access to do clean the restore points.

A To disable the System Restore feature:

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Hover over the Computer option, right click on it and then click Properties.
3. On the left hand side, click Advanced Settings.
4. If asked to permit the action, click on Allow.
5. Click on the System Protection tab.
6. Uncheck any checkboxes listed for your hard drives.
7. Press OK.


B. Reboot.

C Turn ON System Restore.
Follow the steps like you did when disabling system restore but on step 6. check any checkboxes listed for your hard drives.




Now lets uninstall ComboFix:

• Click START then RUN
• Now copy-paste Combofix /uninstall in the runbox and click OK

Please download OTC and save it to desktop.

• Double-click OTC.exe.
• Click the CleanUp! button.
• Select Yes when the
  Begin cleanup Process?
  prompt appears.
• If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
• The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it by yourself.

Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTC attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.


UPDATING WINDOWS AND INTERNET EXPLORER

IMPORTANT: You Need to Update Windows and Internet Explorer to protect your computer from the malware that is around on the Internet. Please go to the windows update site to get the critical updates.

If you are running Microsoft Office, or any portion thereof, go to the Microsoft's Office Update site and make sure you have at least all the critical updates installed (Free) Microsoft Office Update.

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.



The following are recommended third party programs that are designed to keep your computer clean. A link as well as a brief description is included with each item.

• hosts file:
  
  • Every version of windows has a hosts file as part of them.
  • In a very basic sense, they are used to locate webpages.
  • We can customize a hosts file so that it blocks certain webpages.
  • However, it can slow down certain computers.
  • This is why using a hosts file is optional!!
  
  Download it here. Make sure you read the instructions on how to install the hosts file. There is a good tutorial here
  If you decide to download the hosts file, the slowdown problems can usually be avoided by following these steps:
  
  2. Click the start button (at the lower left hand corner of your screen)
  3. Click run
  4. In the dialog box, type services.msc
  5. hit enter, then locate dns client
  6. Highlight it, then double-click it.
  7. On the dropdown box, change the setting from automatic to manual.
  8. Click ok
  
  
• Run Secunia vulnerability check here and fix its findings.

Just a final reminder for you. I am trying to stress these two points.
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE!!! Make sure you do this about every 1-2 weeks.
Make sure all of your security programs are up to date.
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.


Once again, please post and tell me how things are going with your system... problems etc.

Have a great day,
Blade

[ragingjess]

All steps taken, and all systems appear to be working fine. One last question: I activated all of the security features that you recommended on Internet Explorer, but I use Firefox exclusively for web browsing. Is there any fix that I need to make for this browser?

Thank you so, so much! You are made of awesome!

[Blade81]

You're welcome

Some good addons for Firefox:
Adblock Plus, WOT and NoScript

[ragingjess]

Done! And thanks again!