Click.GiftLoad Removal

[mondi]

Good Day,
Couple of things. Been working on my mother in laws computer. It's a huge mess. Ran SB S&D, found 370 "things", selected fix selected. Most were taken care of. Had to reboot and run again. Among the found items was Click.GiftLoad. Second fix selected removed "everything". When rebooting, like everyone else, found Click.GiftLoad still exists. I am attaching the DDS and Attach. Have also run ccleaner and Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes found 38 entries none of which were Click.GiftLoad. I am attaching Malwarebytes log as well.

ONE complication: all fixes that I will need to do will have to be done remotely through LogMeIn.

You guys are FANTASTIC. Thanks in advance for the help.

Mondi

.
DDS (Ver_11-03-05.01) - NTFSx86
Run by pauline at 17:00:33.07 on Fri 03/25/2011
Internet Explorer: 7.0.5730.11
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.1.2600.3.1252.1.1033.18.510.68 [GMT -7:00]
.
AV: AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 2011 *Enabled/Updated* {17DDD097-36FF-435F-9E1B-52D74245D6BF}
.
============== Running Processes ===============
.
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG10\avgchsvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost -k DcomLaunch
svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k WudfServiceGroup
svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LMIGuardianSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\RaMaint.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeIn.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k imgsvc
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\Agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgnsx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgemcx.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Media Experience\DMXLauncher.exe
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\RealPlay.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DLA\DLACTRLW.EXE
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeInSystray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\Identity Protection\agent\bin\avgidsmonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG10\avgrsx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG10\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeIn.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Installs\dds.scr
.
============== Pseudo HJT Report ===============
.
uStart Page = hxxp://www.google.com/
uSearch Page = hxxp://www.earthlink.net/partner/more/msie/button/search.html
uDefault_Page_URL = hxxp://start.earthlink.net
uDefault_Search_URL = hxxp://www.earthlink.net/partner/more/msie/button/search.html
uSearch Bar = hxxp://start.earthlink.net/AL/Search
mSearchAssistant = hxxp://start.earthlink.net/AL/Search
uURLSearchHooks: SrchHook Class: {44f9b173-041c-4825-a9b9-d914bd9dcbb3} - c:\program files\earthlink totalaccess\ElnIE.dll
uURLSearchHooks: H - No File
uURLSearchHooks: H - No File
mWinlogon: Userinit=userinit.exe,
BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class: {06849e9f-c8d7-4d59-b87d-784b7d6be0b3} - c:\program files\adobe\acrobat 7.0\activex\AcroIEHelper.dll
BHO: AVG Safe Search: {3ca2f312-6f6e-4b53-a66e-4e65e497c8c0} - c:\program files\avg\avg10\avgssie.dll
BHO: PnIEBrowserHelperObj Class: {4b5f2e08-6f39-479a-b547-b2026e4c7edf} - c:\program files\earthlink totalaccess\PnEL.dll
BHO: Pop-up Blocker: {52706ef7-d7a2-49ad-a615-e903858cf284} - c:\program files\netzero\qsacc\x1IEBHO.dll
BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection: {53707962-6f74-2d53-2644-206d7942484f} - c:\progra~1\spybot~1\SDHelper.dll
BHO: DriveLetterAccess: {5ca3d70e-1895-11cf-8e15-001234567890} - c:\windows\system32\dla\DLASHX_W.DLL
BHO: Google Toolbar Helper: {aa58ed58-01dd-4d91-8333-cf10577473f7} - c:\program files\google\google toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO: {af69de43-7d58-4638-b6fa-ce66b5ad205d} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbarnotifier\5.6.6209.1142\swg.dll
TB: EarthLink Toolbar: {d7f30b62-8269-41af-9539-b2697fa7d77e} - c:\program files\earthlink totalaccess\PnEL.dll
TB: ZeroBar: {f0f8ecbe-d460-4b34-b007-56a92e8f84a7} - c:\program files\netzero\Toolbar.dll
TB: Google Toolbar: {2318c2b1-4965-11d4-9b18-009027a5cd4f} - c:\program files\google\google toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
EB: Real.com: {fe54fa40-d68c-11d2-98fa-00c0f0318afe} - c:\windows\system32\Shdocvw.dll
uRun: [SpySweeper]
uRun: [ctfmon.exe] c:\windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
uRun: [DellSupport] "c:\program files\dellsupport\DSAgnt.exe" /startup
uRun: [MSMSGS] "c:\program files\messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
uRun: [swg] "c:\program files\google\googletoolbarnotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe"
mRun: [SoundMAXPnP] c:\program files\analog devices\core\smax4pnp.exe
mRun: [IgfxTray] c:\windows\system32\igfxtray.exe
mRun: [HotKeysCmds] c:\windows\system32\hkcmd.exe
mRun: [Persistence] c:\windows\system32\igfxpers.exe
mRun: [SunJavaUpdateSched] c:\program files\java\j2re1.4.2_03\bin\jusched.exe
mRun: [DMXLauncher] c:\program files\dell\media experience\DMXLauncher.exe
mRun: [RealTray] c:\program files\real\realplayer\RealPlay.exe SYSTEMBOOTHIDEPLAYER
mRun: [QuickTime Task] "c:\program files\quicktime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
mRun: [ISUSPM Startup] "c:\program files\common files\installshield\updateservice\isuspm.exe" -startup
mRun: [ISUSScheduler] "c:\program files\common files\installshield\updateservice\issch.exe" -start
mRun: [DLA] c:\windows\system32\dla\DLACTRLW.EXE
mRun: [HP Software Update] c:\program files\hp\hp software update\HPWuSchd2.exe
mRun: [dscactivate] "c:\program files\dell support center\gs_agent\custom\dsca.exe"
mRun: [AVG_TRAY] c:\program files\avg\avg10\avgtray.exe
mRun: [LogMeIn GUI] "c:\program files\logmein\x86\LogMeInSystray.exe"
StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\pauline\startm~1\programs\startup\erunta~1.lnk - c:\program files\erunt\AUTOBACK.EXE
StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\adober~1.lnk - c:\program files\adobe\acrobat 7.0\reader\reader_sl.exe
StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\digita~1.lnk - c:\program files\digital line detect\DLG.exe
StartupFolder: c:\docume~1\alluse~1\startm~1\programs\startup\hpdigi~1.lnk - c:\program files\hp\digital imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
mPolicies-explorer: NoActiveDesktop = 1 (0x1)
IE: &Search - ?p=zuzeb004YYUS
IE: Display All Images with Full Quality - c:\program files\netzero\qsacc\appres.dll/228
IE: Display Image with Full Quality - c:\program files\netzero\qsacc\appres.dll/227
IE: Google Sidewiki... - c:\program files\google\google toolbar\component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_D183CA64F05FDD98.dll/cmsidewiki.html
IE: {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
IE: {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - c:\program files\messenger\msmsgs.exe
IE: {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501}
IE: {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - {FE54FA40-D68C-11d2-98FA-00C0F0318AFE} - c:\windows\system32\Shdocvw.dll
IE: {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - c:\progra~1\spybot~1\SDHelper.dll
DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - hxxp://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/4,0,0,101/mcinsctl.cab
DPF: {8AD9C840-044E-11D1-B3E9-00805F499D93} - hxxp://java.sun.com/products/plugin/autodl/jinstall-142-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {CAFEEFAC-0014-0002-0003-ABCDEFFEDCBA} - hxxp://java.sun.com/products/plugin/autodl/jinstall-142-windows-i586.cab
DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - hxxp://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
Handler: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - c:\program files\avg\avg10\avgpp.dll
Notify: igfxcui - igfxdev.dll
Notify: LMIinit - LMIinit.dll
SSODL: WPDShServiceObj - {AAA288BA-9A4C-45B0-95D7-94D524869DB5} - c:\windows\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll
Hosts: 127.0.0.1 www.spywareinfo.com
.
============= SERVICES / DRIVERS ===============
.
R0 AVGIDSEH;AVGIDSEH;c:\windows\system32\drivers\AVGIDSEH.sys [2010-9-13 25680]
R0 Avgrkx86;AVG Anti-Rootkit Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\avgrkx86.sys [2010-9-7 26064]
R1 Avgldx86;AVG AVI Loader Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\avgldx86.sys [2010-12-8 251728]
R1 Avgmfx86;AVG Mini-Filter Resident Anti-Virus Shield;c:\windows\system32\drivers\avgmfx86.sys [2010-9-7 34384]
R1 Avgtdix;AVG TDI Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\avgtdix.sys [2010-11-12 299984]
R2 AVGIDSAgent;AVGIDSAgent;c:\program files\avg\avg10\identity protection\agent\bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe [2011-1-6 6128720]
R2 avgwd;AVG WatchDog;c:\program files\avg\avg10\avgwdsvc.exe [2010-10-22 265400]
R2 LMIGuardianSvc;LMIGuardianSvc;c:\program files\logmein\x86\LMIGuardianSvc.exe [2010-12-8 374152]
R2 LMIInfo;LogMeIn Kernel Information Provider;c:\program files\logmein\x86\rainfo.sys [2010-9-17 12856]
R2 LMIRfsDriver;LogMeIn Remote File System Driver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\LMIRfsDriver.sys [2011-3-20 47640]
R3 AVGIDSDriver;AVGIDSDriver;c:\windows\system32\drivers\AVGIDSDriver.sys [2010-8-3 123472]
R3 AVGIDSFilter;AVGIDSFilter;c:\windows\system32\drivers\AVGIDSFilter.sys [2010-8-3 30288]
R3 AVGIDSShim;AVGIDSShim;c:\windows\system32\drivers\AVGIDSShim.sys [2010-8-3 26192]
S2 gupdate;Google Update Service (gupdate);c:\program files\google\update\GoogleUpdate.exe [2010-12-13 136176]
S4 LMIRfsClientNP;LMIRfsClientNP; [x]
.
=============== Created Last 30 ================
.
2011-03-25 17:14:40 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\pauline\applic~1\Malwarebytes
2011-03-25 17:14:09 38224 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbamswissarmy.sys
2011-03-25 17:14:06 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\alluse~1\applic~1\Malwarebytes
2011-03-25 17:13:55 20952 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\mbam.sys
2011-03-25 17:13:54 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
2011-03-25 16:44:11 -------- d-----w- c:\windows\Internet Logs
2011-03-25 16:36:58 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\pauline\locals~1\applic~1\Conduit
2011-03-25 16:36:04 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\pauline\locals~1\applic~1\ZoneAlarm_Security
2011-03-25 03:37:55 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\pauline\applic~1\CheckPoint
2011-03-25 03:32:05 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\Conduit
2011-03-25 03:32:02 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\ZoneAlarm_Security
2011-03-25 03:31:11 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\CheckPoint
2011-03-25 02:09:50 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\CCleaner
2011-03-25 02:07:55 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\pauline\locals~1\applic~1\Temp
2011-03-20 23:37:18 -------- d--h--w- C:\$AVG
2011-03-20 23:06:51 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\pauline\locals~1\applic~1\LogMeIn
2011-03-20 23:06:38 53632 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\spool\prtprocs\w32x86\LMIproc.dll
2011-03-20 23:06:38 29568 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\LMIport.dll
2011-03-20 23:06:37 83360 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\LMIRfsClientNP.dll
2011-03-20 23:06:36 47640 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\LMIRfsDriver.sys
2011-03-20 23:06:31 10144 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\lmimirr.sys
2011-03-20 23:06:20 87424 ----a-w- c:\windows\system32\LMIinit.dll
2011-03-20 23:06:11 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\alluse~1\applic~1\LogMeIn
2011-03-20 23:05:42 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\LogMeIn
2011-03-20 20:34:57 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\pauline\applic~1\AVG10
2011-03-20 20:33:38 -------- d--h--w- c:\docume~1\alluse~1\applic~1\Common Files
2011-03-20 20:31:21 -------- d-----w- c:\windows\system32\drivers\AVG
2011-03-20 20:31:21 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\alluse~1\applic~1\AVG10
2011-03-20 20:30:44 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\AVG
2011-03-20 20:01:11 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\alluse~1\applic~1\MFAData
2011-03-20 19:13:22 -------- d-----w- c:\program files\Spybot - Search & Destroy
2011-03-20 19:13:22 -------- d-----w- c:\docume~1\alluse~1\applic~1\Spybot - Search & Destroy
.
==================== Find3M ====================
.
2011-03-25 02:17:56 6686 --sha-w- c:\windows\system32\KGyGaAvL.sys
2011-03-25 02:16:35 104 --sh--r- c:\windows\system32\8487F32496.sys
.
=================== ROOTKIT ====================
.
Stealth MBR rootkit/Mebroot/Sinowal/TDL4 detector 0.4.2 by Gmer, http://www.gmer.net
Windows 5.1.2600 Disk: Maxtor_6L160P0 rev.BAJ41G10 -> Harddisk0\DR0 -> \Device\Ide\IdePort0 P0T0L0-3
.
device: opened successfully
user: MBR read successfully
.
Disk trace:
called modules: ntoskrnl.exe CLASSPNP.SYS disk.sys >>UNKNOWN [0x82DFBEC5]<<
_asm { PUSH EBP; MOV EBP, ESP; SUB ESP, 0x1c; PUSH EBX; PUSH ESI; MOV DWORD [EBP-0x4], 0x82084872; SUB DWORD [EBP-0x4], 0x8208412e; PUSH EDI; CALL 0xffffffffffffdf33; }
1 nt!IofCallDriver[0x804E37D5] -> \Device\Harddisk0\DR0[0x82FDFAB8]
3 CLASSPNP[0xF8687FD7] -> nt!IofCallDriver[0x804E37D5] -> [0x82EFC030]
[0x82CF6A18] -> IRP_MJ_CREATE -> 0x82DFBEC5
kernel: MBR read successfully
_asm { MOV AX, 0x0; MOV SS, AX; MOV SP, 0x7c00; MOV DS, AX; CLD ; MOV CX, 0x80; MOV SI, SP; MOV DI, 0x600; MOV ES, AX; REP MOVSD ; JMP FAR 0x0:0x62d; }
detected disk devices:
\Device\Ide\IdeDeviceP0T0L0-3 -> \??\IDE#DiskMaxtor_6L160P0__________________________BAJ41G10#334c52303059484120202020334c523030594841#{53f56307-b6bf-11d0-94f2-00a0c91efb8b} device not found
detected hooks:
\Driver\atapi DriverStartIo -> 0x82DFBAEA
user & kernel MBR OK
sectors 312499998 (+255): user != kernel
Warning: possible TDL3 rootkit infection !
.
============= FINISH: 17:03:15.03 ===============

[Blottedisk]

Hi mondi,

Welcome to Safer Networking. My name is Blottedisk and I will be helping you with your malware issues.

• Please subscribe to this topic, if you haven't already. You can subscribe by clicking the Thread Tools box to the top right of your topic title and then choosing Suscribe to this Thread (then choose Instant Notification by email). If the button says Unsuscribe from this Thread, then you are already subscribed.
• Please avoid installing/uninstalling or updating any programs and attempting any unsupervised fixes or scans. This can make helping you impossible.

The forum is busy and we need to have replies as soon as possible. If I haven't had a reply after 3 days I will bump the topic and if you do not reply by the following day after that then the thread will be locked due to inactivity. However, if you will be away, let us know and we will be sure to keep the thread open.


Unfortunately your mother's computer appears to have been infected by the TDL3 backdoor infection. These kind of infections have the ability to steal passwords and other information from your system. If your mother uses the computer for sensitive purposes such as internet banking then I recommend you take the following steps immediately:

• Use another, uninfected computer to change all her internet passwords, especially ones with financial implications such as banks,
  paypal, ebay, etc. You should also change the passwords for any other site she use.
• Call her bank(s), credit card company or any other institution which may be affected and advise them that your login/password or
  credit card information may have been stolen and ask what steps to take with regard to her account.
• Consider what other private information could possibly have been taken from the computer and take appropriate steps

This infection can almost certainly be cleaned, but as the malware could be configured to run any program a remote attacker requires, it will be impossible to be 100% sure that the machine is clean, if this is unacceptable to you then you should consider reformatting the system partition and reinstalling Windows as this is the only 100% sure answer.You should not be following fixes in another threads as those fixes are specifically for those computers.

Please read these for more information:

How Do I Handle Possible Identify Theft, Internet Fraud and CC Fraud?

When Should I Format, How Should I Reinstall?


Should you have any questions, please feel free to ask. Please let me know what you have decided to do in your next post. If you decide you want to try and clean the PC then please continue with the following instructions:


Step 1 | Please download GMER from one of the following locations and save it to your desktop:

Main Mirror - This version will download a randomly named file (Recommended)
Zipped Mirror - This version will download a zip file you will need to extract first. If you use this mirror, please extract the zip file to your desktop.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

• Disconnect from the Internet and close all running programs.
• Temporarily disable any real-time active protection so your security programs will not conflict with gmer's driver.
• Double-click on the randomly named GMER file (i.e. n7gmo46c.exe) and allow the gmer.sys driver to load if asked.

Note: If you downloaded the zipped version, extract the file to its own folder such as C:\gmer and then double-click on gmer.exe.

• GMER will open to the Rootkit/Malware tab and perform an automatic quick scan when first run. (do not use the computer while the scan is in progress)
• If you receive a WARNING!!! about rootkit activity and are asked to fully scan your system...click NO.
• Make sure all options are checked except:
  
  • IAT/EAT
  • Drives/Partition other than Systemdrive, which is typically C:\
  • Show All (This is important, so do not miss it.)

Click the image to enlarge it

• Now click the Scan button. If you see a rootkit warning window, click OK.
• When the scan is finished, click the Save... button to save the scan results to your Desktop. Save the file as gmer.log.
• Click the Copy button and paste the results into your next reply.
• Exit GMER and re-enable all active protection when done.

-- If you encounter any problems, try running GMER in Safe Mode.


Step 2 | This next program is needed to remove the remaining malware entries I see. However, AVG incorrectly targets ComboFix's embedded files. ComboFix will not run with AVG installed. Please uninstall AVG before continuing. You can reinstall it, or another antivirus such as Avira or avast!, after we've used ComboFix to clear the infection.

After uninstalling AVG from the Control Panel, also run the AVG remover tool from their site (download AVG Remover 32bit).

http://www.avg.com/us-en/download-tools

You may also use this AppRemover to uninstall AVG:
http://www.appremover.com

AppRemover tutorial:
http://www.appremover.com/about/using-appremover.html


After removing AVG, download Combofix from any of the links below and save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2

--------------------------------------------------------------------

• Double click on Combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
• When finished, it will produce a report for you.
• As part of it's process, ComboFix will check to see if the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed. With malware infections being as they are today, it's strongly recommended to have this pre-installed on your machine before doing any malware removal. It will allow you to boot up into a special recovery/repair mode that will allow us to more easily help you should your computer have a problem after an attempted removal of malware.
• Follow the prompts to allow ComboFix to download and install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console, and when prompted, agree to the End-User License Agreement to install the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console.

**Please note: If the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is already installed, ComboFix will continue it's malware removal procedures.

• Once the Microsoft Windows Recovery Console is installed using ComboFix, you should see the following message:

• Click on Yes, to continue scanning for malware.
• When finished, it will produce a log for you. Please include the C:\ComboFix.txt in your next reply.

If you need help, see this link:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/comb...o-use-combofix

[mondi]

Blottedisk:

Thanks for the reply. I believe I am going to go with the formatting option. I do have a question though: What is the most likely cause of obtaining this virus? My mother in law has NO computer knowledge and I am trying to instruct her of what not to do...

I have given her all the cursory "Don't click anything that you are not 100% sure of what it is", "Do not click on links sent in emails", "Do not visit any websites that are questionable", etc. Just trying to sum it up. She is in her 80's and this is really her first computer experience. She has had it for about 3 years and this is the first time I checked up on her.

Thanks again for all the help.

[Blottedisk]

Hi mondi,


When dealing with these kind of infections, formatting is for sure the only option that will 100% guarantee a clean machine. Thumbs up to your decision.

I do have a question though: What is the most likely cause of obtaining this virus? My mother in law has NO computer knowledge and I am trying to instruct her of what not to do...

I have given her all the cursory "Don't click anything that you are not 100% sure of what it is", "Do not click on links sent in emails", "Do not visit any websites that are questionable", etc. Just trying to sum it up. She is in her 80's and this is really her first computer experience. She has had it for about 3 years and this is the first time I checked up on her.

There are several ways of becoming infected. I would suggest you take a look at the following posts in order to tighten her security settings and have a safer browsing/networking experience:

• So how did I get infected in the first place?
• 14 ways to get Infected without trying

Here are some other articles:

• Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet
• Preventing Malware - Tools and Practices for Safe Computing
• How to prevent malware

[mondi]

I appreciate the help. I will tighten her up when the computer is cleaned. Then I will save the links shown in her favorites and have her read them.

Take care. You may close the thread.

[Blottedisk]

You are very welcome


Best regards,
Blottedisk.

[Jack&Jill]

As your problems appear to have been resolved, this topic is now closed.

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