ibudden,
-----------------------------------------------------------Peer to Peer File SharingPlease note that as long as you're using any form of Peer-to-Peer networking (utorrent, Azureus, Morpheus, Limewire, etc.) and downloading files from non-documented sources, you can expect infestations of malware to occur.
When you use Peer-to-peer (P2P) programs, you are downloading software from an
UNKNOWN source directly onto your computer, bypassing your Firewall and Anti-Virus software. It's hardly surprising that many of the available downloads are being used by malware purveyors as a delivery method for their infections. Further, if your P2P program is not configured correctly you may be sharing more files than you realize. See here :
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/09/06/Seattle-man-arrested-for-p-to-p-ID-theft_1.html Even if you have one of the SAFE P2P programs, the practice of file-sharing is very UNSAFE for the health of your PC.You may decide to continue P2P sharing, but keep in mind that this practice may be the source of major PC infections.
Better ask yourself if you and your system CD are REALLY ready to reformat your Hard Drive and Re-install Windows. The risks of using P2P programs are described here in this
Sourceforge webpage and in this
Information Week article.
Some malware help forums are now refusing to help those who show up with infections from P2P usage.
I think you should stop using and Uninstall Limewire, but it's your decision. -----------------------------------------------------------I would keep Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. You can update it and run a scan every week or so.
-----------------------------------------------------------Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites to your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from accidentally running or downloading known malicious programs. Available from
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html After the installation, click
Download Latest Protection Updates. When it finishes, click
Enable All Protection.
-----------------------------------------------------------Install WinPatrol - Download and Install the Free WinPatrol, and view Instructions here:
http://www.winpatrol.com/winpatrol.html - WinPatrol is an active program that drops a "Scotty Dog" icon into the system tray (right click to check/change status), allows you to monitor/edit startups, services, Browser helpers, and prompts for permission if any program tries to change your system.
-----------------------------------------------------------Reset System Restore Points - Click Start > Help and Support
- Click on ->Undo changes to your computer with System Restore.
- Click Create A Restore Point then click Next. Give it a name it and then click Create, then Close.
- Close Help and Support Center.
- Click Start | Run and type Cleanmgr
- Select (C: ) then click OK.
- Click the More Options tab.
- Click Clean Up in the System Restore Section.
This will remove all previous restore points
except the newly created one.
This System Restore sequence is not to be done regularly, but only as a Special Case after the removal of malware. You should be good to go. Good job.
askey127
