Nice to hear that everything went fine. It's a good thing to keep an eye on the PC in the next week. Below are a few tips to keep the PC clean.
If everything runs fine, you may delete the content of the Reclycle Bin too.
Enable Microsoft AntiSpyware and TeaTimer again. You can keep Ewido installed if you like, it's a very good scanner.
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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.
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 Updates
Visit 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.
Make 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.
Resources for using Internet Explorer 6
Download and install the following free programs
- 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 Hosts Manager here
- MVPS Hosts File
- 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
You will find the list 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 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
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.
You did a nice job on the PC and good luck with your training at the Uni.
Kim