Download HijackThis ver. 1.99.1 from HERE and save it to your Desktop.
Double click on the HJTsetup.exe icon on your desktop.
By default it will install to C:\Program Files\HijackThis.
Continue to click Next in the setup dialogue boxes until you get to the "Select Addition Tasks" dialogue.
Put a check by Create a desktop icon then click Next again.
Continue to follow the rest of the prompts from there.
At the final dialogue box click Finish and it will launch HijackThis.
Click on the "Do a system scan and save a log file" button. It will scan and then ask you to save the log.
Copy and paste the log to this topic
DO NOT have HijackThis fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless or even required.
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
* Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows ME or 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:
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:
* 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:
* 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:
* 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:
* 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:
* 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 * Google Toolbar<=Get the free google toolbar to help stop pop up windows. * 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.
