zlob.bah

[joe_broni]

Hi, I found directions to some zlob bah removal steps (using mbam) in this forum's archive. I followed them and they appeared to work, but I thought I would post two things: 1) my mbam log before the problem was fixed, and 2) my hijackthis log after it's been fixed (hoping someone could look it over and verify the problem is "solved". Thanks in advace.

MBAM LOG:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.31
Database version: 1463
Windows 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1

12/5/2008 10:05:54 AM
mbam-log-2008-12-05 (10-05-54).txt

Scan type: Quick Scan
Objects scanned: 52406
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 52 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 7
Registry Values Infected: 5
Registry Data Items Infected: 1
Folders Infected: 1
Files Infected: 20

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{64466b8e-20a7-4a4a-aff4-aad9ca68b52c} (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{64466b8e-20a7-4a4a-aff4-aad9ca68b52c} (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Browser Helper Objects\{64466b8e-20a7-4a4a-aff4-aad9ca68b52c} (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{3b8fb116-d358-48a3-a5c7-db84f15cbb04} (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions\{3b8fb116-d358-48a3-a5c7-db84f15cbb04} (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\webmedia.chl (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Browser Toolbar (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Values Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run\vmware hptray (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\Run\quicktime task (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\New Windows\Allow\*.securewebinfo.com (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\New Windows\Allow\*.safetyincludes.com (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\New Windows\Allow\*.securemanaging.com (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Registry Data Items Infected:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\NoActiveDesktopChanges (Hijack.DisplayProperties) -> Bad: (1) Good: (0) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Folders Infected:
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

Files Infected:
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\hpmun.dll (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Dave\AppData\Local\Temp\qpgiqmsi1.exe (Zlob.Agent) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Dave\AppData\Local\Temp\qpgiqmsi2.exe (Rootkit.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\browseu.exe (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\hpmon.exe (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\myc.ico (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\myd.ico (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\mym.ico (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\myp.ico (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\myv.ico (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\ot.ico (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\qttask.exe (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\ts.ico (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Dave\My Documents\My Music\My Music.url (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Dave\My Documents\My Pictures\My Pictures.url (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Dave\My Documents\My Videos\My Video.url (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\Users\Dave\My Documents\My Documents.url (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Run Virus Scan.url (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\System Tools\Run Virus Scan.url (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Online Spyware Test.url (Trojan.Zlob) -> Quarantined and deleted successfully.

HIJACK THIS LOG (post running mbam):

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 9:48:20 AM, on 12/5/2008
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6001.18000)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton AntiVirus\Engine\16.1.0.33\ccSvcHst.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AASP\1.00.59\aaCenter.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAAnotif.exe
C:\Windows\vVX1000.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\1.2.1128.5462\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
F:\Games\Steam\Steam.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Impulse\Impulse.exe
C:\Users\Dave\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
D:\Logitech\8876480\Program\LogitechDesktopMessenger.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AI Suite\AiNap\AiNap.exe
F:\Tools\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 2.4\program\soffice.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 2.4\program\soffice.BIN
D:\Logitech\SetPoint\x86\SetPoint32.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.1up.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = :0
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {64466B8E-20A7-4A4A-AFF4-AAD9CA68B52C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\hpmun.dll
O2 - BHO: Symantec Intrusion Prevention - {6D53EC84-6AAE-4787-AEEE-F4628F01010C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton AntiVirus\Engine\16.1.0.33\IPSBHO.DLL
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files (x86)\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files (x86)\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxWatchTray] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatchTray9.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LifeCam] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft LifeCam\LifeExp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PeachtreePrefetcher.exe] "F:\Tools\PEACHT~1\PeachtreePrefetcher.exe" /configfile:peachtreeprefetcher.winstart.config
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ai Nap] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AI Suite\AiNap\AiNap.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CPU Power Monitor] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AI Suite\AiGear3\CpuPowerMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cpu Level Up help] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\AI Suite\CpuLevelUpHelp.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\1.2.1128.5462\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "f:\games\steam\steam.exe" -silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ImpulseFastStart] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\Impulse\Impulse.exe" /fastload
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Dave\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [igndlm.exe] C:\Program Files (x86)\Download Manager\DLM.exe /windowsstart /startifwork
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Policies\Explorer\Run: [QuickTime Task] C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\qttask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Policies\Explorer\Run: [VMware hptray] C:\Program Files (x86)\WebMediaViewer\hpmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: OpenOffice.org 2.4.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenOffice.org 2.4\program\quickstart.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = D:\Logitech\8876480\Program\LogitechDesktopMessenger.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = F:\Tools\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\PROGRA~2\Java\JRE16~1.0_0\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\PROGRA~2\Java\JRE16~1.0_0\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {3B8FB116-D358-48A3-A5C7-DB84F15CBB04} - http://www.expresstoolie.com/redirect.php (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Explorer Security - {3B8FB116-D358-48A3-A5C7-DB84F15CBB04} - http://www.expresstoolie.com/redirect.php (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: Web-Based Email Tools - http://email01.secureserver.net/Download.CAB
O16 - DPF: {0D41B8C5-2599-4893-8183-00195EC8D5F9} (asusTek_sysctrl Class) - http://support.asus.com/common/asusTek_sys_ctrl.cab
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab3.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...nt/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: bwfile-8876480 - {9462A756-7B47-47BC-8C80-C34B9B80B32B} - D:\Logitech\8876480\Program\GAPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files (x86)\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: ASP.NET State Service (aspnet_state) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_state.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMON) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (X86)\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Iaantmon.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Logitech Bluetooth Service (LBTServ) - Logitech, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\Bluetooth\LBTServ.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton AntiVirus\Engine\16.1.0.33\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Perforce - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Perforce\Server\p4s.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Pervasive PSQL Workgroup Engine (psqlWGE) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Pervasive Software\PSQL\bin\w3dbsmgr.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio UPnP Renderer 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files (x86)\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUPnPRenderer9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Upnp Server 9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files (x86)\Roxio\Digital Home 9\RoxioUpnpService9.exe
O23 - Service: LiveShare P2P Server 9 (RoxLiveShare9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxLiveShare9.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Hard Drive Watcher 9 (RoxWatch9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatch9.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SN Systems Floating License Server (SNLSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\SN Systems\Common\bin\snlss.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Marvell Yukon Service (yksvc) - Unknown owner - RUNDLL32.EXE (file missing)

--
End of file - 12701 bytes


Thanks!

[shelf life]

looks ok to me. you can also do a online scan as another check;

ESET online scanner:

http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/

uses Internet Explorer only
check "YES" to accept terms
click start button
allow the ActiveX component to install
click the start button. the Scanner will update.
check both "Remove found threats" and "Scan unwanted applications"
click scan
when done you can find the scan log at:C:\Program Files\EsetOnlineScanner\log.txt


Reducing Your Risk:
The Short Version

1) Keep your OS,(Windows) browser (IE, FireFox) and other Software up to date to "patch" vulnerabilities.
2) Know what you are installing to your computer. Alot of software can come bundled with unwanted add-ons.
3) Install and keep them all updated: one antivirus and two or three anti-malware applications. If not updated they will soon be worthless.
4) Refrain from clicking on links or attachments you receive via E-Mail, IM, Chat Rooms or Social Sites, no matter how tempting or legitimate the message.
5) Don't click on ads/pop ups or offers from websites requesting that you install software to your computer. Do you trust the website?
6) Don't click on offers to "scan" your computer.
7) Set up and use limited accounts for everyday use, rather than administrator accounts.
8) Install a third party software firewall.
9) Consider using an alternate browser and E-mail client.
10) If your habits include: warez,or p2p file sharing then you are much more likely to encounter malicious code. Do you trust the source?

longer version in link below.


happy safe surfing out there