Dialers, Popups, Trojans, need help

[jillyaz]

I am getting all kinds of Dialer-269 messages, before that it was puper.dll. A command window keeps opening with the dialer message every 30 minutes or so. McAfee started popping up trojan horse message but was unable to remove or clean the files.

I have ran the housecall but I'm not sure it if completed properly. Looked like I lost internet connection on the clean process so I've started it again this morning. I ran the Bit Defender and the Panda online scan also. One wanted me to purchase before it would clean so I stopped there.

Here is my HJT file. Please let me know what I should do next.


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 5:31:42 AM, on 3/10/2006
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\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Quicken\bagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\DataViz\DvzIncMsgr.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsftsn.exe
C:\Program Files\linksys\WMP11 Config Utility\WMP11Cfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Desktop\hijackthis.exe

O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O3 - Toolbar: SnagIt - {8FF5E183-ABDE-46EB-B09E-D2AAB95CABE3} - C:\Program Files\TechSmith\SnagIt 7\SnagItIEAddin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISLP2STA.EXE] ISLP2STA.EXE START
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSkernel32] C:\WINDOWS\System.exe 4820
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [{0228e555-4f9c-4e35-a3ec-b109a192b4c2}] C:\Program Files\Google\Gmail Notifier\G001-1.0.25.0\gnotify.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSkernel32] C:\WINDOWS\System.exe 4820
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Felix] C:\Program Files\ScreenMates\full_fel1.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PlaxoUpdate] C:\Program Files\Plaxo\2.5.10.17\PlaxoHelper.exe -a
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM (R)] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Mozilla Quick Launch] "C:\PROGRA~1\NETSCAPE\NETSCAPE\NETSCP.EXE" -aim
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [QuickenScheduledUpdates] C:\Program Files\Quicken\bagent.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: CleverKeys.lnk = C:\Program Files\Lexico\CleverKeys\CK.exe
O4 - Global Startup: DataViz Inc Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\DataViz\DvzIncMsgr.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HotSync Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\palmOne\Hotsync.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: QuickBooks Update Agent.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBUpdate\qbupdate.exe
O4 - Global Startup: TimeTo.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Wireless PCI Card Configuration Utility.lnk = C:\Program Files\linksys\WMP11 Config Utility\WMP11Cfg.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AIM Search - res://C:\Program Files\AIM Toolbar\AIMBar.dll/aimsearch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &MSN Search - res://C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar Suite\TB\02.00.0001.1203\en-us\msntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {85d1f590-48f4-11d9-9669-0800200c9a66} - %windir%\bdoscandel.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Uninstall BitDefender Online Scanner v8 - {85d1f590-48f4-11d9-9669-0800200c9a66} - %windir%\bdoscandel.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O16 - DPF: {0335A685-ED24-4F7B-A08E-3BD15D84E668} - http://dl.filekicker.com/send/file/128985-NZIL/PhPSetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {08BEF711-06DA-48B2-9534-802ECAA2E4F9} (PlxInstall Class) - http://down.plaxo.com/down/latest/PlaxoInstall.cab
O16 - DPF: {0C568603-D79D-11D2-87A7-00C04FF158BB} (BrowseFolderPopup Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/Shared/MGBrwFld.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {49232000-16E4-426C-A231-62846947304B} - http://ipgweb.cce.hp.com/rdqaio/downloads/sysinfo.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/4,0,0,72/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {5D86DDB5-BDF9-441B-9E9E-D4730F4EE499} (BDSCANONLINE Control) - http://download.bitdefender.com/resources/scan8/oscan8.cab
O16 - DPF: {62789780-B744-11D0-986B-00609731A21D} (Autodesk MapGuide ActiveX Control) - http://www.maricopa.gov/assessor/gis/plugin/mgaxctrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E5A37BF-FD42-463A-877C-4EB7002E68AE} (Housecall ActiveX 6.5) - http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/housecall/applet/html/native/x86/win32/activex/hcImpl.cab
O16 - DPF: {8E28B3A9-FE83-45D1-B657-D5426B81A121} (CustomerCtrl Class) - http://cs6b.instantservice.com/jars/customerxsigned35.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5free/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://cdn.messenger.msn.com/download/MsnMessengerSetupDownloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {B9191F79-5613-4C76-AA2A-398534BB8999} - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/suite/yautocomplete.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcgdmgr/en-us/1,0,0,19/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/web_games/popcap/bejeweled2/popcaploader_v6.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF0DBA6F-43CE-4B26-9808-2AB38FA0DB29} (MSN Money Ticker) - http://fdl.msn.com/public/investor/v13/ticker.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF791A6B-FC12-4C68-99EF-FB9E207A39E6} (McFreeScan Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/iss-loc/vso/en-us/tools/mcfscan/1,5,0,4267/mcfscan.cab
O16 - DPF: {F04A8AE2-A59D-11D2-8792-00C04F8EF29D} (Hotmail Attachments Control) - http://by103fd.bay103.hotmail.msn.com/activex/HMAtchmt.ocx
O16 - DPF: {FA9740A2-5802-42E2-B509-81186EEB3C42} (WABControl Class) - https://www.linkedin.com/cab/wabctrl.cab
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Canon Camera Access Library 8 (CCALib8) - Canon Inc. - C:\Program Files\Canon\CAL\CALMAIN.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.EXE
O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Program Files\ewido\security suite\ewidoctrl.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Macromedia Licensing Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macromedia Shared\Service\Macromedia Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration (McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - McAfee Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler (McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - McAfee, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
O23 - Service: . (netmoni) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\svchot.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: Wmpffmerrss - The Linksys Group, Inc. - (no file)

[shelf life]

hi jillyaz,

lets try this first. download install update and run ewido security suite:

1. Download Ewido and install
Ewido Security Suite. It is a free trial version of the program:

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

2. Install ewido security suite
3. Launch ewido, there should be an icon on your desktop double-click it.
4. The program will now go to the main screen

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

1. On the left hand side of the main screen click update
2. Then click on Start Update

The update will start and a progress bar will show the updates being installed.
If you are having problems with the updater, you can use Ewido manual updates


Once the updates are installed do the following:

1. Click on scanner
2. Click on Complete System Scan and the scan will begin.
3. NOTE: During some scans with ewido it is finding cases of false positives.**
o You will need to step through the process of cleaning files one-by-one.
o If ewido detects a file you KNOW to be legitimate, select none as the action.
o DO NOT select "Perform action on all infections"
o If you are unsure of any entry found select none for now.
4. Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report
5. Click Save report.
6. Save the report .txt file to your desktop.

Now close ewido security suite.
-------------------------------------------
post the saved ewido log in your next reply, unless ewido took care of the problem....shelf life

[jillyaz]

Thanks very much for the help. All the time that Ewido was running I was getting McAfee popups for PUP's found - there were at least 20 of these. It would say that it removed them. I also got a popup the Mcafee had found a Trojan and sucessfully cleaned it. It says it's the Dialer-2669-dldr file. This has come up about 3 times while Ewido was running. Another Trojan puper.dll was also found and cleaned by Mcafee. NewMalware.j was also indentified by Mcafee and I used the delete and after doing that twice it hasn't come up again.

My homepage on IE keeps routing to http://www.systemupdates.net and a popup comes up that the PC is infected with spyware - asks to click OK to launch the "official" anti-spyware website.

Ewido found 19 infected objects. Log below.

What next?


---------------------------------------------------------
ewido anti-malware - Scan report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created on: 7:43:04 PM, 3/10/2006
+ Report-Checksum: 64385ACC

+ Scan result:

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{4DA4616D-7E6E-4FD9-A2D5-B6C535733E22} -> Adware.Generic : Cleaned with backup
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objecta\{4da4616d-7e6e-4fd9-a2d5-b6c535733e22} -> Adware.Generic : Cleaned with backup
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{4da4616d-7e6e-4fd9-a2d5-b6c535733e22} -> Adware.Generic : Cleaned with backup
HKU\S-1-5-21-1960408961-651377827-839522115-1005\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{4DA4616D-7E6E-4FD9-A2D5-B6C535733E22} -> Adware.Generic : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Guest\Cookies\guest@aavalue[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Aavalue : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Guest\Cookies\guest@eztracks.aavalue[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Aavalue : Cleaned with backup
:mozilla.14:C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\y01wjd4q.slt\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Zedo : Cleaned with backup
:mozilla.15:C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\y01wjd4q.slt\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Zedo : Cleaned with backup
:mozilla.16:C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\y01wjd4q.slt\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.Zedo : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Cookies\jill@ads.realcastmedia[1].txt -> TrackingCookie.Realcastmedia : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Cookies\jill@com[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Com : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Cookies\jill@server3.web-stat[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Web-stat : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Cookies\jill@tacoda[1].txt -> TrackingCookie.Tacoda : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Cookies\jill@tfag[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Tfag : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Cookies\jill@webstat[1].txt -> TrackingCookie.Web-stat : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Cookies\jill@www.burstbeacon[2].txt -> TrackingCookie.Burstbeacon : Cleaned with backup
C:\Documents and Settings\Jill\Cookies\jill@www.web-stat[1].txt -> TrackingCookie.Web-stat : Cleaned with backup
C:\WINDOWS\system32\mssearchnet.exe -> Hijacker.SpyAxe : Error during cleaning
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvctrl.exe -> Hijacker.SpyAxe : Error during cleaning


::Report End

[shelf life]

hi jillyaz,

ok we are making progress. you might want to print this out or copy/paste it to notepad nad save it so you can read it in safe mode.

first download smitRem, but dont use it yet. also while your "out" check for any updates to your antivirus and ewido also

Download SmitRem.exe © noahdfear to your Desktop:

http://noahdfear.geekstogo.com/click%20counter/click.php?id=1

Double-click the smitRem.exe and it will extract the files to a smitRem folder on your Desktop.

check for updates to ewido and your antivirus, we will run them in safe mode
-------------------------

Reboot to safe mode

Next, please reboot your computer in Safe Mode by doing the following:
1) Restart your computer
2) After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
3) Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear
4) Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode.

Open the smitRem folder, then double click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool.


Follow the prompts on screen. Your desktop and icons will disappear and then reappear again --- this is normal.
Wait for the tool to complete and Disk Cleanup to finish --- this may take a while; please be patient.


Open Ewido Security Suite

* Click on scanner
* Make sure the following boxes are checked before scanning:
o Binder
o Crypter
o Archives
* Click on Start Scan
* Let the program scan the machine

While the scan is in progress you will be prompted to clean files, click OK

Once the scan has completed, there will be a button located on the bottom of the screen named Save report

* Click Save report
* Save the report to your desktop

In the Control Panel click Display > Desktop > Customize desktop > Website > Uncheck "Security Info" if present.

Empty recycle bin.
------------------------------------------
reboot computer normally, if you havent yet download, install, update and scan with spybot search and destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
-------------------------------------------
see if things improve....

[jillyaz]

Thanks for your help. Those cleaned a few remaining problems and everything looks fine now. IE browser is staying on home page and no more popups from McAfee.

[shelf life]

hi jillyaz,

good,if you want post a new hjt log for one last look, if not heres some reference material for you:




Make sure you keep your Windows OS current by visiting Windows update (http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp)
occasionaly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. With out these you are leaving the backdoor open.

Also download, install and keep updated- Antivirus Software (and use only one):
Free for home users:
avast! 4 Home Edition Download (http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html)
AVG free version 7.0 (http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/)
AntiVir Personal Edition (http://www.free-av.com/)

Adjust your browser settings: Change your(active x) settings in IE. With IE open go to tools, internet options, security tab. Click on the internet globe, then custom level. Set the first option "download signed active x controls" to prompt, the next two to disable. Read more:
Internet Explorer Privacy & Security Settings (https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/btw/ie/ie-opts.htm)
Working with Internet Explorer 6 Security (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/security/settings.mspx)
Many exploits are directed at Internet Explorer, you dont have to use it. Try a different browser.
Like Firefox (http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/),
And Pegasus Mail for a safer e-mail, no tweaking needed. (http://www.pmail.com/)

Outlook Express with the default settings is not secure. It will run scripts, download images etc, just like a browser.
look here (http://www.codecutters.org/outlook/)
and here (http://www.tames.net/security/oesettings.htm)


Install a firewall. A firewall will control what comes in from the internet and what leaves your computer to the internet. A firewall will also alert you when a application trys to connect to the internet from your computer, this is a good way to catch crapware or trojans, trying to connect out bound from your computer- whats that and why does it need a internet connection? You can deny it access it until more investigation is done. Zone Alarm is a free and easy to use firewall, that will provide in and outbound protection. Microsoft XP firewall only provides inbound protection. SP2 adds in and out bound protection which is better than nothing, but is not as robust as third party firewalls, Be sure to run only >one< firewall.If you use another, be sure to disable XP's built in firewall. If you use Zone Alarm learn what needs/uses your internet connection. If something unusal or out of the ordinary "asks" deny it access until more investigation is done.
Zone Alarm (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp)
Kerio (Sunbelt Kerio Personal Firewall)"Free Evaluation" (http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_home.html)
Outpost Firewall (http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/)
Outpost Free Basic Firewall (http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/index.php)
Jetico Personal Firewall (http://www.jetico.com/index.htm#/jpfirewall.htm)
Tiny Firewall (http://www.tinysoftware.com/home/tiny2?s=5375286922906434776A0&&pg=content05&an=tf6_home)
BlackIce (http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_dynamic.main?SP=1&PN=10&sid=26412)



Download one or two of these, install and update before using:(if these are constantly finding malware, then you need to make changes to your browser and or your habits)
CounterSpy (http://www.sunbelt-software.com/)Free trial version
Spybot Search and destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html)
Ad-Aware SE Personal edition (http://www.lavasoft.de/)
Microsoft AntiSpyware (beta version) (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)
Becarful with spyware "removers and scanners"-- there are many "rogue/suspect" (http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm) programs that "claim to remove" spyware.Check here first.

Other programs to consider:
Process Guard (http://www.diamondcs.com.au/processguard/) stop events/processes with user intervention
SpywareBlaster (http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=49) add security to IE
IE-SPYAD (https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm#IESPYAD) adds adware peddlers sites/domains to IE restricted zone
CleanUp (http://www.stevengould.org/software/CleanUp/index.html) cleans out temps,history, autoforms etc

AntiTrojan software to fill in the gap:
a2 free (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/)
Ewido Security Suite (http://www.ewido.net/en/)
Trojan Hunter (30 day trial version) (http://www.misec.net/)
Tauscan trial version (http://www.agnitum.com/products/tauscan/)


Learn More:
Browser Checkup (http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/)
Parasite Free (http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/prevention.html)
Safe Hex (http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html)
Shelf Lifes site (http://security-central.us/SafeHex/index.htm)
Home Computer Security (http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/)
Wilders Security Advisors (http://www.wilders.org/index.htm)

Watch what you download, and where you download it from. Many programs come bundled with extra software.You may be installing more than you think. Make sure you understand what it is you will be downloading and installing to your computer. Visit the makers website, learn more about the program, Does the program you want come bundled with other "3rd party" programs? What do the 3rd party programs do? Will they deliver ads? Track your surfing habits?. Read the EULA agreement, you know, that paragraph of stuff you "agree to" before the software installs? If you search hard enough you can always find a "clean" alternative to any software. Stay away from warez and crack sites. Becarful what you download from file sharing networks. If you are not sure, scan it with your Antivirus app. A small file (in KB) is probably not what you think it is. DO YOU TRUST THE SOURCE?