Hi
"Do I have to do anything with the items that you mentioned are inactive? Will they become active?"
No, just follow system restore steps from below.
"I receive a message upon booting up the computer that McAfee Security Center may not have been installed or launched properly. It advises me to reinstall the program."
Yes, it's possible that vundo damaged it. I advise too to reinstall.
"What recommendations would you have regarding maintenance routines to keep my computer running clean?
Should I bring my computer up to date with Microsoft Windows updates (ie. SP2)?
What recommendation would you have regarding an antivirus software and a spyware software?
Anything else that I should know regarding keeping my computer clean?"
See my recommendations from below and yes, install SP2.
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
You can fix these, first two are leftovers and two others are considered as optional removal:
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Related - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - C:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
If McAfee doesn't have a firewall install one from below:
Looking over your log, it seems
you don't have any evidence of a third party
firewall.
As the term conveys, a
firewall is an extra layer of security installed onto computers, which restricts access to systems from the outside world.
Firewalls protect against hackers and malicious intruders. I want you to download a free firewall
NOW from one of these excellent vendors:
1) Comodo
2) Online Armor
3) Sunbelt/Kerio
4) Agnitum
5) ZoneAlarm (uncheck ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker during installation if you choose this one)
If you are using the built-in Windows XP firewall, it is not recommended as it does not block outgoing connections. This means that any malware on your computer is free to "phone home" for more instructions. Simply put, Windows XP contains a mediocre firewall. This firewall is NO replacement for a dedicated software solution. Remember to use only one firewall at the same time.
I see that
Viewpoint is installed. Viewpoint, Viewpoint Manager, Viewpoint Media Player are Viewpoint components which are installed as a side effect of installing other software, most notably AOL and AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). Viewpoint Manager is responsible for managing and updating Viewpoint Media Player’s components. You can disable this using the Viewpoint Manager Control Panel found in the Windows Control Panel menu. By selecting
Disable auto-updating for the Viewpoint Manager -- the player will no longer attempt to check for updates. Anything that is installed without your consent is suspect. Read what Viewpoint says and make your own decision.
To provide a satisfying consumer experience and to operate effectively, the Viewpoint Media Player periodically sends information to servers at Viewpoint. Each installation of the Viewpoint Media Player is identifiable to Viewpoint via a Customer Unique Identifier (CUID), an alphanumeric identifier embedded in the Viewpoint Media Player. The Viewpoint Media Player randomly generates the CUID during installation and uses it to indicate a unique installation of the product. A CUID is never connected to a user's name, email address, or other personal contact information. CUIDs are used for the sole purpose of filtering redundant information. Each of these information exchanges occurs anonymously.
Viewpoint Manager is considered as
foistware instead of malware since it is installed without user's approval but doesn't spy or do anything "bad". This may change, read
Viewpoint to Plunge Into Adware.
I recommend that you remove the Viewpoint products; however, decide for yourself. To uninstall the
the Viewpoint components (Viewpoint, Viewpoint Manager, Viewpoint Media Player):
- Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
- In Control Panel, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
- In Add or Remove Programs, highlight >>Viewpoint component<< , click Remove.
- Do the same for each Viewpoint component.
Update Adobe Reader
It looks like your version of
Adobe Reader is out of date and you're vulnerable for infections.
Please
download the newest version here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrob...used=0&esdcanhandle=0&hasjavascript=1&dlm=nos
Install it, then go to
Add/Remove Programs and remove
any older versions that may remain.
Your Java is out of date. Older versions have vulnerabilities that malware can use to infect your system. A malicious site could render Java content under older, vulnerable versions of Sun's software if the user has not removed them.
Please follow these steps to remove older version Java components and update:
- Download the latest version of Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 4 and save it to your desktop.
- Scroll down to where it says "Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6u4...allows end-users to run Java applications".
- Click the "Download" button to the right.
- Read the License Agreement and then check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
- The page will refresh.
- Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation and save the file to your desktop.
- Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
- Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel, double-click on Add/Remove Programs and remove all older versions of Java.
- Check (highlight) any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
- Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
- Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
- Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
- Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6u4-windows-i586-p.exe to install the newest version.
Next we remove all used tools.
Please download
OTMoveIt and save it to desktop.
- Double-click OTMoveIt.exe.
- Click the CleanUp! button.
- Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
- If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
- The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it by yourself.
Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTMoveIt attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.
- Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows XP then you should disable and re-enable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point.
You can find instructions on how to enable and re-enable system restore here:
Windows XP System Restore Guide
Re-enable system restore with instructions from tutorial above
- 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.
- Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
- 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.
- Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.
A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Using Ad-aware 2007 to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer
- Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option.
This will provide real-time spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an anti virus software. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Instructions for Spybot S & D
- Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
- Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.
Here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety
- MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
- Google Toolbar <= Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows.
- Comodo BOCLEAN <= Stop identity thieves from getting personal information. Instantly detects well over 1,000,000 unique, variant and repack malware in total. And it's free.
- Winpatrol <= Download and install the free version of Winpatrol. a tutorial for this product is located here:
Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software
Stand Up and Be Counted ---> Malware Complaints <--- where you can make difference!
The site offers people who have been (or are) victims of malware the opportunity to document their story and, in that way, launch a complaint against the malware and the makers of the malware.
Also, please read this great article by Tony Klein
So How Did I Get Infected In First Place
Happy surfing and stay clean! :bigthumb:
