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Thread: Suspected Various Malware Infections

  1. #21
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    Hi 64 Impala,

    While I understand the importance of a defragmented hard drive, as I said in my initial post, I am in the process of upgrading to a Win 7 computer and wish to transfer my files over to it. Once I have done that I was going to wipe this hard drive and completely re-do it for another user in the family.
    Thank you for reminding me that you are going to be wiping the drive clean and doing a re-install after we are done. With that in mind, the remainder of the fragmented files aren't as much of a concern.

    =========================

    Your log appears to be clean.

    We have a few items to take care of before we get to the All Clean Speech.

    =========================

    1. Uninstall Combofix

    The following will implement important cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

    Click on the Start button and then in the Search field enter combofix /uninstall, as shown in the image below with the blue arrow.
    Please note that there is a space between combofix and /uninstall.



    Once you have typed this in, press Enter on your keyboard. A Open File security warning will appear asking if you are sure you want to run ComboFix. Please click on the Run button to start the program.

    ComboFix will now uninstall itself from your computer and remove any backups and quarantined files. When it has finished you will be greeted by a dialog box stating that ComboFix has been uninstalled.

    =========================

    2. You can now delete any tools and/or logs remaining on your desktop.

    =========================

    3. Disable Java in Web Browsers

    There is a vulnerability with regards to Java and web browsers. Therefore, we recommend to disable java in web browsers.
    More information can be found here: http://www.techsupportforum.com/foru...rs-683721.html

    • Click on the Start button and then click on the Control Panel option.
    • In the Control Panel Search enter Java Control Panel.
    • Click on the Java icon to open the Java Control Panel.



    Disable Java through the Java Control Panel

    • In the Java Control Panel, click on the Security tab.
    • Deselect the check box for Enable Java content in the browser. This will disable the Java plug-in in the browser.
    • Click Apply. When the Windows User Account Control (UAC) dialog appears, allow permissions to make the changes.
    • Click OK in the Java Plug-in confirmation window.
    • Restart the browser for changes to take effect.



    =========================

    With the above items taken care of let's move on to the All Clean part of the process.

    The following procedures are recommendations for helping to keep your system running smoothly. If you are currently satisfied with how your system is running some or all of these may not pertain to you. Impliment what you need.

    This infection appears to have been cleaned, but I can not give you any absolute guarantees. As a precaution, I would go ahead and change all of your passwords as this is especially important after an infection.

    Any of the logs that you created for use in the forums or remaining tools that have not yet been removed can be deleted so they aren't cluttering up your desktop.

    Here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:

    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.

    Make your Mozilla Firefox more secure - This can be done by adding these add-ons:

    Use and update an anti-virus software - I can not overemphasize the need for you to use and update your anti-virus application on a regular basis. With the ever increasing number of new variants of malware arriving on the scene daily, you become very susceptible to an attack without updated protection.

    Free Anti-Virus

    Free Firewall
    Using a third-party firewall will allow you to give/deny access for applications that want to go online. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. A tutorial on firewalls can be found here.

    Make sure you keep your Windows OS current. Windows XP users can visit Windows update regularly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. Windows Vista/7 users can open the Start menu > All Programs > Windows Update > Check for Updates (in left hand task pane) to update these systems. Without these you are leaving the back door open.

    Consider a custom hosts file such as MVPS HOSTS. This custom hosts file effectively blocks a wide range of unwanted ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and many hijackers. For information on how to download and install, please read this tutorial by WinHelp2002
    Note: Be sure to follow the instructions to disable the DNS Client service before installing a custom hosts file.

    WOT (Web of Trust) As "Googling" is such an integral part of internet life, this free browser add on warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. It is especially helpful when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous sites. WOT has an add-on available for Firefox, Internet Explorer as well as Google Chrome.

    Finally, I strongly recommend that you read TonyKlein's good advice So how did I get infected in the first place?

    Please reply to this thread once more if you are satisfied so that we can mark the problem as resolved.
    OCD
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  2. #22
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    OCD
    I am having trouble finding the uninstall for combofix. The screenshot you have shown is for Win 7 I believe. The search function for XP did not reveal the uninstall and it is not in Control Panel.

    Thanks

    64 Impala

  3. #23
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    Hi 64 Impala,

    Quote Originally Posted by 64 Impala View Post
    OCD
    I am having trouble finding the uninstall for combofix. The screenshot you have shown is for Win 7 I believe. The search function for XP did not reveal the uninstall and it is not in Control Panel.
    I apologize for the confusion. Try this method instead.

    1. Uninstall Combofix
    The following will implement important cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

    Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bold text into the Run box and click OK:

    ComboFix /Uninstall
    (Note the space between the ..X and the /U, it needs to be there.)



    =========================
    OCD
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  4. #24
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    OCD

    Thank you for all your help. Certainly a few lessons learned here! ...now we'll see if the experience is ingrained!

    I have applied your "All Clean Speech" material to the new computer. Is your list of free anti-virus exhaustive, or is it merely some suggestions? I see AVG is not there despite it being recommended some years ago in other venues that I can't recall right now?

    Once again, much appreciated...

    Thank you

    64 Impala

  5. #25
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    OCD

    Donation made...

    Regards

    64 Impala

  6. #26
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    Hi 64 Impala,

    Is your list of free anti-virus exhaustive, or is it merely some suggestions?
    Just merely a few suggested FREE AV's. If you have used a different AV and found it worked well for you then by all means stick with it.

    Thank for your donation, the site appreciates your support and confidence in what we do.

    You are very welcome, glad I was able to help. Have a nice day.
    OCD
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    Graduate of WTT Classroom
    Member of UNITE

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