Yes, I am aware that there is no AV software on this computer. They have purchased Norton 360 I believe, but could not install it because the computer was to infected. Also they have ordered more RAM becuase the computer currently has 256MB in it. Hardly enough to even boot it up. When I return the computer to them they will install the AV Software. I will install all the MS Patches and the RAM before returning the computer to them. Is there anything else that needs to be done? BTW, the Icon for My Computer is there, it just doesn't look like My Computer. It looks like a little white sheet with three dots in the middle of it. When you goto the Properties page and click Change Icon, then select the Icon that looks like my computer, nothing happens. Perhaps installing SP3 will replace explorer.exe and fix it? I'm not sure. Thanks!
Win Antivirus08 and others.....
- Thread starter shwabo
- Start date
OK. I have resolved the My Computer and Windows Explorer Icon issue by doing the following:
My Computer Icon:
Right click on desktop
Left click on Properties
Click the Desktop Tab
Click Customize Desktop button
Highlight My Computer (left click once on it)
then click the Restore Default button.
Click OK
Click Apply
Click OK
DONE!
Windows Explorer Icon:
Click Start>My Computer
Click Tools>Folder Options...
Click the View Tab then click on Show Hidden Files and Folders
Click Apply>OK
Browse to C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Application Data
and delete the IconCache.db file.
Do this for each profile on the computer.
Reboot.
After Rebooting I returned it back to Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders
Done!
Is there anything else that needs to be done? I have installed SP3 and I am now waiting for the RAM. Otherwise it seems pretty good so far. :bigthumb:
My Computer Icon:
Right click on desktop
Left click on Properties
Click the Desktop Tab
Click Customize Desktop button
Highlight My Computer (left click once on it)
then click the Restore Default button.
Click OK
Click Apply
Click OK
DONE!
Windows Explorer Icon:
Click Start>My Computer
Click Tools>Folder Options...
Click the View Tab then click on Show Hidden Files and Folders
Click Apply>OK
Browse to C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Application Data
and delete the IconCache.db file.
Do this for each profile on the computer.
Reboot.
After Rebooting I returned it back to Do Not Show Hidden Files and Folders
Done!
Is there anything else that needs to be done? I have installed SP3 and I am now waiting for the RAM. Otherwise it seems pretty good so far. :bigthumb:
Shaba
Security Expert: Emeritus
Great 
See below for my instructions:
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
Looking over your log, it seems you don't have any evidence of an anti-virus software.
Anti-virus software are programs that detect, cleanse, and erase harmful virus files on a computer, Web server, or network. Unchecked, virus files can unintentionally be forwarded to others, including trading partners and thereby spreading infection. Because new viruses regularly emerge, anti-virus software should be updated frequently. Anti-virus software can scan the computer memory and disk drives for malicious code. They can alert the user if a virus is present, and will clean, delete (or quarantine) infected files or directories. Please download a free anti-virus software from one these excellent vendors NOW:
1) Antivir PersonalEdition Classic - Free anti-virus software for Windows. Detects and removes more than 50,000 viruses. Free support.
2) avast! 4 Home Edition - Anti-virus program for Windows. The home edition is freeware for noncommercial users.
3) AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - Free edition of the AVG anti-virus program for Windows.
It is strongly recommended that you run only one antivirus program at a time. Having more than one antivirus program active in memory uses additional resources and can result in program conflicts and false virus alerts. If you choose to install more than one antivirus program on your computer, then only one of them should be active in memory at a time.
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 (Uncheck during installation "Install Comodo SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage")
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.
Now lets uninstall ComboFix:
Next we remove all used tools.
Please download OTCleanIt and save it to desktop.
Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTCleanIt attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.
Re-enable system restore with instructions from tutorial above
Here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety
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:
See below for my instructions:
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
Looking over your log, it seems you don't have any evidence of an anti-virus software.
Anti-virus software are programs that detect, cleanse, and erase harmful virus files on a computer, Web server, or network. Unchecked, virus files can unintentionally be forwarded to others, including trading partners and thereby spreading infection. Because new viruses regularly emerge, anti-virus software should be updated frequently. Anti-virus software can scan the computer memory and disk drives for malicious code. They can alert the user if a virus is present, and will clean, delete (or quarantine) infected files or directories. Please download a free anti-virus software from one these excellent vendors NOW:
1) Antivir PersonalEdition Classic - Free anti-virus software for Windows. Detects and removes more than 50,000 viruses. Free support.
2) avast! 4 Home Edition - Anti-virus program for Windows. The home edition is freeware for noncommercial users.
3) AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition - Free edition of the AVG anti-virus program for Windows.
It is strongly recommended that you run only one antivirus program at a time. Having more than one antivirus program active in memory uses additional resources and can result in program conflicts and false virus alerts. If you choose to install more than one antivirus program on your computer, then only one of them should be active in memory at a time.
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 (Uncheck during installation "Install Comodo SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage")
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.
Now lets uninstall ComboFix:
- Click START then RUN
- Now type Combofix /u in the runbox and click OK
Next we remove all used tools.
Please download OTCleanIt and save it to desktop.
- Double-click OTCleanIt.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 OTCleanIt 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 Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a new and powerful anti-malware tool. It is
totally free but for real-time protection you will have to pay a small one-time fee. Tutorial on installing & using this product can be found below:
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Setup Guide
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Scanning Guide
- 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.
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
- 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:
Shaba
Security Expert: Emeritus
Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad I could help.
Note: If it has been five days or more since your last post, and the helper assisting you posted a response to that post to which you did not reply, your topic will not be reopened. At that point, if you still require help, please start a new topic and include a fresh HijackThis log and a link to your previous thread.
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If it has been less than five days since your last response and you need the thread re-opened, please send me or your helper a private message (pm). A valid, working link to the closed topic is required.