You seem to have enough programs there to protect the system. Most effective way to protect against the infections is to be careful with online activities. Avoid suspicious downloads and websites. As stated in P2P topic, P2P networks are nowadays one of the easiest ways to get oneself infected.Since I posted the initial log in this thread I have kept that PC switched off except when carryign out your advice. When I have run this set what should I set up to keep the PC clear?
I have McAfee AV and Firewall, Win Defender, SpyBot S&D, Spyware Blaster (free version), Malwarebytes Anti-malware (free version), Ad-Aware (free version), Guidescope proxy server. Right now I am assuming that I need realtime protection with McAfee, Defender and SyBot with Guidescope too. Then use the other scanners weekly. But does that stop something similar getting back on to this PC?
Never used McAfee products myself so can't help there. Usually product has some kind of support forums where users can ask guiding. McAfee seems to have one too. I recommend asking thereI am not so sure that I have the firewall set up properly. It gives me the facility to choose the access of all the programs and services, but in some case I have no idea what setting to use, e.g. run dll as an app?
What do you recommend?
You can run antivirus scanners on them to get some kind of idea of their cleaness. If systems are working without symptoms then there's a good chance they're clean.I also have two other PC running on this home network. What is the best way to be absolutely sure that they are clear?
Well congrats, it appears your system is all clean Are you still noticing any problems? If not, it's time to secure your system to prevent against further intrusions.
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.
1. Turn off System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
2. Reboot.
3. Turn ON System Restore.
On the Desktop, right-click My Computer.
Click Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
UN-Check *Turn off System Restore*.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
NOTE: only do this ONCE,NOT on a regular basis
Now lets uninstall ComboFix:
- Click START then RUN
- Now type Combofix /u in the runbox and click OK
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:
- Click the start button (at the lower left hand corner of your screen)
- Click run
- In the dialog box, type services.msc
- hit enter, then locate dns client
- Highlight it, then double-click it.
- On the dropdown box, change the setting from automatic to manual.
- Click ok
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
