Hello Mark,
What is the MAJ key?
Duh, my bad ... SHIFT key - that's correct word for it in English - did write it in French.
PC is running ok otherwise although I would appreciate your advice to prevent similar problems from reoccurring.
I have posted some advice below to keep the PC clean and secure. You don't need to install every program, they are suggestions and programs I recommend. I personally have a preference for ProcessGuard or SSM, but they are not easy to manage as they require a rather good knowlegde of what needs to run and what not but with a good dosis of judgement, you can manage them rather quickly.
I have not yet seen somthing that can bypass them ... unless you hit the allow button of course.
Since I had the problems you have kindly helped me to resolve, I have installed:
Zone Alarm Pro (this expires in 2 days- think it then reverts to firewall only)
AVG Anti Spyware (this is also on trial)
AVG Anti Virus
Spyware Blaster (think this program works behind the scenes - dont really see evidence of it working)
If ZoneAlarm reverts to firewall only, that is still fine. I don't know the pro version very well so I can't exactly say what additional features it has. The firewall also exists in Free version which is ok for a normal use. Otherwise Kerio firewall is a nice pick too. It is completely fuctionnal for 30 days, after that only firewall is active.
AVG AntiSpyware ... good program to keep and run scans on a weekly basis or so. When the trial period ends the following features will stop working:
- Scheduled scans.
- Real-time monitoring of the entire system.
- Memory Scan detects active threats.
- Self-protection at kernel layer guarantees gapless monitoring.
- Automatic online-update.
The manual memory scan will work in the free version and you can manually update the definitions by clicking on the "Start Update" button under Manual update in the update module.
AVG antivirus : ok
SpywareBlaster : yes it works behind the scenes, it uses existing features on your OS to put sites in restricted zones and it prevents ActiveX controls from running by setting the kill bit in the registry for particular controls. For tech details see the link below.
How to stop an ActiveX control from running in Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/240797/en-usZone Alarm Pro expires shortly and anti spyware. Can you advise what you think I require.
Basically you need an AV & it's updated definitions, a firewall, all windows updates, restrictive Internet Explorer settings, SpywareBlaster. IE-spyad is a good addition too.
May I suggest you update to Service Pack 2, it has some enchanced security settings in IE. Furthermore, support for Service Pack 1 has ended in October so you won't get much security updates anymore and that will leave you quite vulnerable.
But first : Tools cleanupClick start > run> type
cmd.exe and hit enter.
Type
net stop gmer and hit enter.
Type
sc delete gmer and hit enter.
You should get a success message.
Reboot the PC.
Find and delete:
C:\Windows\system32\drivers\gmer.sys
C:\Windows\gmer.exe
C:\Windows\gmer.dll
C:\Windows\gmer.ini
On your desktop you may delete the following files :
gmer.zip
gmer.exe
combofix.exe
LSP-Fix
Killbox.zip
VundoFix.exe
Fixme.reg
spf.zip
sfp.exe
all requested[.....].cab files
regkey.bat
regsearch.zip
dumpwin.zip
Tools.zip
screenshot of Start Programs
On your desktop you may delete the following folders :
dumpwin
Tools
On your HDD your may delete the following files :
C:\ComboFix.txt
C:\vundofix.txt
c:\keys.txt
c:\key.txt
c:\regkey.txt
On your HDD you may delete the following folders :
c:\!Killbox
C:\RegSearch
Once done, empty[/b] the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the
Recycle Bin icon on your Desktop, and then click
Empty Recycle Bin.
______________________________
Please reset System Restore to remove eventual backups of the spyware and trojans.
Turn off System Restore- Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
- Click the System Restore tab.
- Select the Turn off System Restore check box (or the Turn off System Restore on all drives check box), and then click OK.
- Click Yes when you receive the prompt to the turn off System Restore.
Reboot your computer.
Turn System Restore back on- Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
- Click the System Restore tab.
- Clear the Turn off System Restore check box (or the Turn off System Restore on all drives check box), and then click OK.
A new restore point will be created automatically.
______________________________
Hide your system files again.- Click Start.
- Click My Computer.
- Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
- Select the View Tab.
- Under the Hidden files and folders heading uncheck Show hidden files and folders.
- Check the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
- Click Yes to confirm.
- Click OK.
______________________________
Consider upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 2, more information can be found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/securit ... hoose.mspx______________________________
******PLEASE READ****** It is very rewarding to see that your computer is clean. May I urge you to
stand up and be counted! Document your experience, and by doing so, launch a complaint against the makers of malware. You
can make a difference. Click on the
Malware Complaints - Stand up and be Counted! link in my signature and support our cause. Thank you.
______________________________
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
Windows, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office UpdatesVisit Microsoft's Windows Update Site frequently. 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.
If you are running Microsoft Office, or any application of it, go to the Microsoft's Office Update site and make sure you have at least all the critical updates installed.
If you have trouble with Windows Update, you still can get all the Critical Updates, Security Fixes and Service Packs. Below are a few links to bookmark.
Microsoft Security Bulletins
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspxOffice downloads
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/offic ... fault.aspxDownload Center
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspxMicrosoft Security Advisories
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... fault.mspxRecently Published
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... fault.mspxMake your Internet Explorer more secure- From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
- Click on the Security tab
- Click the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
- Click on Default Level and click Ok
- Click on the Custom Level button.
- Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
- Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
- Change the Initialise 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.
Take the time to check out the following linksResources for using Internet Explorer 6
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=867470How to Configure Enhanced Security Features for Internet Explorer from Windows XP SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... secxp.mspxMicrosoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwa ... ilies.mspxKeep your Sun Java up to dateThe most current version of Sun Java is:
Java Runtime Environment Version 5.0 Update 9http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp- Scroll down to where it says "The J2SE Runtime Environment (JRE) allows end-users to run Java applications".
- Click the "Download" button to the right.
- Check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
- The page will refresh.
- Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation with or without Multi-language and save to your desktop.
- Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
- Go to Start > Control Panel double-click on Add/Remove programs and remove all older versions of Java.
- Check 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-1_5_0_09-windowsi586-p.exe to install the newest version.
And in the future, remember to remove older versions of Java when you update to a newer version to avoid exploitation of older versions left on your system.
Check out these topics for more information:
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=17910http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=17598Free programs that may help you in keeping the PC clean- SpywareBlaster
SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
You can download SpywareBlaster here
A tutorial can be found here - SpywareGuard
It provides a degree of real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method. An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware. And you can easily have an anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard. It also features Download Protection and Browser Hijacking Protection.
You can download SpywareGuard here
A tutorial can be found here - IE-SPYAD
IE-SPYAD puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone, so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all. It basically prevents any downloads, cookies, scripts from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
You can download IE-SPYAD here
A tutorial can be found here - Hosts File
A Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad, spyware 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.
A tutorial tutorial can be found here
- MVPS Hosts File
You can download the MVPS Hosts File here
Furthermore the website contains useful tips and links to other resources and utilities. - Bluetack's Hosts File and Hosts Manager
Essentially based on the research made by Webhelper, Andrew Clover and Eric L. Howes, it contains most if not all the known spyware sites, sites responsible for hijacks, rogue apllications etc...
Download Bluetack's Hosts file here
Download Bluetack's HostsManager here
Free Spyware Detection and Removal Programs- Ad-Aware
It scans for known spyware on your computer. These scans should be run at least once every two weeks.
You can download Ad-Aware here
A tutorial can be found here - Spybot - Search & Destroy
It scans for spyware and other malicious programs. Spybot has preventitive tools that stop programs from even installing on your computer.
You can download Spybot - S&D here
A tutorial can be found here
Before adding any other Spyware Detection and Removal programs always check the Rogue Anti-Spyware List for programs known to be misleading, mistaken, or just outright "Foistware".
You will find the list
hereAVG Anti-Spyware (formerly Ewido)Realtime protection against these threats:
- Hijackers and Spyware
Secure surfing in the Internet without fear of annoying changes of the start page of your browser, tracking cookies and advertising bars. - Worms
Nobody should receive e-mails in your name with malicious files in the appendix anymore. - Dialers
Security against all kinds of dialers. No fear when receiving the next phone bill. - Trojans and Keyloggers
No chance for thieves to steal your bank data and personal sensitive information by tapped Internet connections, remote controlled webcams or secret keyboard recordings.
Most of you will have already the trial version of this software, which is an excellent program and particularly good at catching trojans. If you find it useful you might want to consider buying the full program. When the trial period ends the following features will stop working:
- Scheduled scans.
- Real-time monitoring of the entire system.
- Memory Scan detects active threats.
- Self-protection at kernel layer guarantees gapless monitoring.
- Automatic online-update.
The manual memory scan will work in the free version and you can manually update the definitions by clicking on the "Start Update" button under Manual update in the update module.
You can download AVG Anti-Spyware
hereAVG Anti-Spyware manual updates.
Download the
Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update.
WinPatrolWinPatrol uses a heuristic approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment. Traditional security programs scan your hard drive searching for previously identified threats. WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. You'll be removing dangerous new programs while others download new reference files.
- Detect & Neutralize Spyware.
- Detect & Neutralize ADware.
- Detect & Neutralize Viral infections.
- Detect & Neutralize Unwanted IE Add-Ons.
- Detect & Restore File Type Changes.
- Automatically Filter Unwanted Cookies.
- Avoid Start Page Hijacking.
- Detect changes to HOSTS & critical system files.
- Kill Multiple Tasks that replicate each other, in a single step!
- Stop programs that repeatedly add themselves to your Startup List!
Starting with WinPatrol 9.5 PLUS users also get the addition of Real-time Infiltration Detection so they'll know immediately when changes are made to critical system areas. WinPatrol Free is not demo or trial software. You're welcome to use it as long as you like.
You can download WinPatrol
hereWinPatrol
FAQSiteHound by FiretrustFiretrust introduces the SiteHound Toolbar - the safe way to browse the Internet. With SiteHound, when you browse the Internet, you're shown a warning page every time you go to a site which is a known scam, potentially loads viruses or spyware on to your computer, has questionable content or anything you would not consider reasonable. You are shown a warning page with information about that site. From there you can choose to enter the site or go back. SiteHound is a
free add-on to Internet Explorer. (Users of Firefox - a version for you is coming soon.) SiteHound's comprehensive database gathers the knowledge from other users and respected experts from the online security community to tell you which sites are real and which are bogus.
SiteHound will alert you when you enter a site which is known to contain:
- Fraudulent claims or scams
- Offensive material
- Security vulnerabilities
- Spyware or Adware
- Spam related material
- or other content deemed to be unsafe
Specifically, SiteHound blocks these categories:
• Adult • Spyware • Spam Advertising • Phishing • Possible scam or fraud • Misleading or False Advertising
• Pharming • Rogue or Suspect Product • Adware • Malware or Virus
System Requirements:
Internet Explorer 5.5+ and Windows 95/98/NT 4/ME/2000/XP
Product Info & Download:
SiteHound Toolbar
For advanced users : ProcessGuard
ProcessGuard blocks rootkits, prevents spyware, guards your computer from DLL trojans...
For more information take a moment to read the
Introduction and the
Known Attacks information pages.
You can download Process Guard
here
For advanced users : System Safety Monitor
System Safety Monitor (SSM) allows you to track down Microsoft Windows operating system activity in real-time and to prevent undesirable actions from various malware and spyware programs. SSM's main goal is to discover and block malicious actions of any application.
For more information take a moment to read the
Main features of the program.
You can download SSM
here
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 the link below for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs.
Computer Safety On line - Anti-Virus
http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=53#53
Update your Anti Virus Software
It is imperative that you update your Anti virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your anti virus 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 enough how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. For an article on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below.
Computer Safety On line - Software Firewalls
http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=56#56
A tutorial on
Understanding and Using Firewalls can be found
here
Additional Information
For more information about Spyware, the tools available, and other informative material, including information on how you may have been infected in the first place, please check out
this link.
A very nice collection of tutorials is available at Bleeping Computer
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/
Finally, after following up on all these recommendations, why not run Jason Levine's Browser Security Tests ?
They will provide you with an insight on how vulnerable you might still be to a number of common exploits.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
Happy surf and take care. Don't hesitate to post back if you have further questions.
Kim