Congratulations laynegray, your log now looks CLEAN
Things to do:
This is not necessary but highly suggested:
The following are not spyware/malware, but I suggest you use HJT, place a check mark next to the following entries and then Fix them, as these programs may be taking up system resources. This will NOT delete the programs it will just keep them from running when you start your computer.
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\HP\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe (Description: HP software update checker and wizard launcher.)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\HP\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe (Duplicate line 2 entries)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] \"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe\" ?osboot (Description: RealPlayer scheduler. Completely unnecessary. Removing this entry will free up a small amount of system resources.)
Install an Antivirus ? if you wish to use McAfee, reverse the procedure to turn it off and set the three service to Automatic instead of disable.
I don?t recommend McAfee, so please see my tips below.
Here are a few other things you must do once you are completely clean: This is like cleaning up the kitchen after the guests have gone?
? Save it to your desktop. ? Run the tool by clicking on the icon.
? Click the Cleanup button.
? The tools that we used as well as this one will be removed from your system.
2. Please downloadATF Cleanerby Atribune.
This program is for XP and Windows 2000 only
Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
? Under Main "Select Files to Delete" choose: Select All. ? Click the Empty Selected button.
? If you use Firefox browser click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All ? Click the Empty Selected button.
If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
? If you use Opera browser click Opera at the top and choose: Select All ? Click the Empty Selected button.
If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
? Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.
3. Now Set a New Restore Point to prevent possible reinfection from an old one.
Some of the malware you picked up could have been saved in System Restore. Since System Restore is a protected directory, your tools can not access it to delete these bad files which sometimes can reinfect your system. Setting a new restore point AFTER cleaning your system will help prevent this and enable your computer to "roll-back" to a clean working state.
The easiest and safest way to do this is:
? Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and click "System Restore".
? Choose the radio button marked "Create a Restore Point" on the first screen then click "Next". Give the R.P. a name then click "Create". The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a log of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.
? Then go to Start > Run and type: Cleanmgr ? Click "OK"
Select the drive you want to clean usually C: Click OK When it completes the scan:
? Click the "More Options" Tab.
? Click "Clean Up" in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the newly created one.
4. Defragment your Hard Drive
1.Open My Computer.
2.Right-click the local disk volume that you want to defragment, and then click Properties. 3.On the Tools tab, click Defragment Now. 4.Click Defragment.
And here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:
I use and recommend a layered protection plan that BLOCKS malware BEFORE it enters your computer and then catches any that happens to slip through.
Layer 1 ? Firewall - this can be a Router with SPI (stateful packet inspection)
? A Router with SPI keeps a Stack of the requests made by your computer. If something tries to download, the router checks the stack and if it hasn?t been requested, it is denied.
or a 3rd party software firewall ?
? The Windows firewall only monitors incoming traffic, NOT outgoing. Using a software firewall in its default configuration to replace the Windows firewall greatly reduces the risk of your computer being hacked. Make sure your firewall is always enabled while your computer is connected to the internet.
Note: You should only have one firewall installed at a time. Having more than one firewall installed at once is likely to cause conflicts and may well decrease your overall protection as well as seriously impairing the performance of your PC.
Layer 2 ? HOST file ?> MVPS hosts HERE. This is the most important layer it blocks Bad Sites from being able to get into your computer ? MVPS Host file only, for the novice and a combination of MVPS and HP Hosts with HostXpert.exe to manage them for the geeks.
Note: in most cases a large HOSTS file (over 135 kb) tends to slow down the machine. This only occurs in W2000/XP/Vista. Windows 98 and ME are not affected.
To resolve this issue (manually) open the "Services Editor"
? Go to > Start > Run (type) "services.msc" (no quotes)
? Scroll down to "DNS Client", Right-click and select: Properties ? Click the drop-down arrow for "Startup type"
? Select: Manual, or Disabled (recommended) click Apply/Ok and restart.
Layer 3 ? AntiVirus ? Any AntiVirus you can live with, but I suggest Avira AntiVir for everyone ? the free version has Nag screens but they can be stopped by googling avira antivir nag disable ? This is the best of the free AV?s and better than most of the paid. I like it better than any AV that I?ve tried/tested, Free or Paid.
Layer 4 ? AntiMalware ? Comodo BOClean protects your computer against trojans, malware and other threats. It constantly scans your system in the background and intercepts any recognized trojan activity. The program can ask the user what to do, or run in unattended mode and automatically shutdown and remove any suspected trojan application. Comodo BOClean currently supports more than 60,000 malware items and offers automatic daily updates. Other features include updating via network share, tamper protection and stealth mode.
For the paranoid, I suggest adding a weekly scan with MalwareBytes? AntiMalware or SUPERAntiSpyware or BOTH but If you have this full plan in place, you won?t need them.
Layer 5 ? HIPS ( Host Intrusion Prevention Software) ? WinPatrol or if you?re using Comodo Pro Firewall you probably don?t need it. This is basically the paranoia layer in case anything slips through the other 4 layers, like warring suspenders with your belt because you don?t trust your pants.
My first 3 rules in computing are: 1. Backup 2. Backup and 3. Backup??..
For a backup system, I use and recommend Acronis True Image Home (less than 40 bucks, if you shop around). There are other Imaging programs, as well as FREE ones, but Acronis is the best. IMHO
Enjoy your clean computer. Any questions?
The oldgeek knows how to get the bugs out?. Oops, missed one..
P.S. If you have any infection or problems with other computers on your network, give me a shout?..
There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading; The few who learn by observation;
The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves...
There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading; The few who learn by observation;
The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves...
