Smitfraud-C.Toolbar888

Thanks. The popups have stopped, and Spybot no longer finds smitfraud-c.toolbar888 in its scan. I didn't know if the viruses in the system restore were truly inactive or just dormant, but I'll wait for you to tell me later how to get rid of them completely.

Thanks for all the help!

J
 
Hi

Then you're clean!

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

You can re-activate TeaTimer now.

I see that you're using two firewalls, Trend and ZoneAlarm. If trend is up-to-date, I recommend to uninstall ZoneAlarm.

  • 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 reenable system restore here:

    Windows XP System Restore Guide

Reenable 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.
  • Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.

See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:

Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources


  • 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.

  • Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

    For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:

    Understanding and Using Firewalls

  • 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. ou 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 to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer

  • 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

  • IE/Spyad <= IE/Spyad places over 4000 websites and domains in the IE Restricted list which will severely impair attempts to infect your system. It basically prevents any downloads (Cookies etc) from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
  • MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
  • 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!
 
Great! I'll get on these things immediately. (Some I already did, becauase I read Tony Klein's article a couple nights ago. Actually, I might suggest that Tony rename his article to "So How Did I Get Infected In The First Place, AND How To Keep It From Happening Again!" Since I was pretty sure I knew how I got the infection, I almost didn't read this article when I first began browsing this forum. But when I did click on it, I was very happy I did, because of all the great information about increasing the protections on my computer. I wonder if other people are not reading this great article because of the title.)

One question, though, about firewalls: I have learned at this forum that having more than one is not a good idea. But is there a reason that you prefer Trend to ZoneAlarm? I don't know enough about firewalls to have an opinion on which is better, but as a user, the one feature I really like about ZoneAlarm is that it gives me alerts every time a new program wants to access the Internet, and lets me decide if I want to allow it once, always, or never. I'm frequently surprised to discover the programs on my computer that are attempting to access the Internet, and I like having the opportunity to restrict them. When I just have Trend running, it doesn't tell me this information, and I have no idea what programs are accessing the Internet and why. But I trust your judgment, of course, so it you really think Trend is the better firewall, I will uninstall ZoneAlarm, as you suggest.

Thanks again for all the help! Do the donations from the main page reach volunteers such as yourself?

J
 
Hi

You can choose which one you use, Trend or ZoneAlarm but you must disable one of them.
 
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