 How did I get infected?, With steps so it does not happen again! |
Welcome Guest ( Log In | Click here to Register a free account now! )
Register a free account to unlock additional features at BleepingComputer.com
Welcome to Bleeping Computer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.  |
 Sep 9 2004, 12:45 PM
Post
#1
|
|
 Bleep Bleep!  Group: Admin Posts: 28,184 Joined: 24-January 04 From: USA Member No.: 3  |
Below I have outlined a series of categories that outline how you can increase the security of your computer so that you will not be infected again in the future. Practice Safe Internet One of the main reasons people get infected in the first place is that they are not practicing Safe Internet. You practice Safe Internet when you educate yourself on how to properly use the Internet through the use of security tools and good practice. Knowing how you can get infected and what types of files and sites to avoid will be the most crucial step in keeping your computer malware free. The reality is that the majority of people who are infected with malware are ones who click on things they shouldn't be clicking on. Whether these things are files or sites it doesn't really matter. If something is out to get you, and you click on it, it most likely will. Below are a list of simple precautions to take to keep your computer clean and running securely:
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. Make Internet Explorer 6 and below more secure
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: Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources Update your AntiVirus Software It is imperative 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. If you use a commercial antivirus program you must make sure you keep renewing your subscription. Otherwise, once your subscription runs out, you may not be able to update the programs virus definitions. Make sure your applications have all of their updates It is also possible for other programs on your computer to have security vulnerability that can allow malware to infect you. Therefore, it is also a good idea to check for the latest versions of commonly installed applications that are regularly patched to fix vulnerabilities. You can check these by visiting Secunia Software Inspector and Calendar of Updates. 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. 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: Understanding and Using Firewalls Install an AntiSpyware Program Recommended, and free, AntiSpyware programs are Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, SuperAntiSpyware, Spybot - Search and Destroy, and Ad-Aware Personal. Installing these programs will provide spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should scan your computer with an AntiSpyware program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software. Tutorials on using these programs can be found below: Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from Your Computer 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: Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware 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. -------------------- Lawrence
|
 |
 
|
|
Mar 13 2007, 09:10 PM
Post
#2
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 19 Joined: 29-April 06 Member No.: 65,983 |
ok not knowcking the suggestions but wont that slow down the performance of many pc`s and/or slow down internet ?
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 16 2007, 11:14 PM
Post
#3
|
|
 Bleepin' Animin Group: Site Admin Posts: 4,819 Joined: 18-August 05 From: Now On... Member No.: 31,547 |
So what do you see specifically in the above recommendations that would lead you to think, "wont that slow down the performance of many pc`s and/or slow down internet ?
Then maybe we can address your specific concerns as to the cause of why you may think that. -------------------- The Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless that for some people it is a complete substitute for life. Andrew Brown  "On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key." — Scott Adams. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 28 2007, 01:02 PM
Post
#4
|
|
|
New Member Group: Members Posts: 14 Joined: 25-June 07 Member No.: 139,316 |
QUOTE(sopcannon @ Mar 13 2007, 09:10 PM)  ok not knowcking the suggestions but wont that slow down the performance of many pc`s and/or slow down internet ? yes in fact these will slow down your PC , apps such as spyware bot installs a real time scanner called teatimer and SD resident which run in the background, also your virus scanner and firewall will slow down your PC, but you know what, its better to have a 15% slower PC then to be at a risk of infection. There are some things that will really slow down your PC such as the new adaware 2007 adwatch, that will take a good chunk of your resource and really slow things down so i would not suggest that at all, maybe run the app itself to find any spyware or MRU's cookies etc. also i recommend for everyone to have at least 2MB of ram, that will help you a great deal ;) Email me if you have any questions, will be glad to answer. much luck 
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 28 2007, 03:01 PM
Post
#5
|
|
|
Bleepin' Animin Group: Site Admin Posts: 4,819 Joined: 18-August 05 From: Now On... Member No.: 31,547 |
QUOTE(littlephoenix @ Jun 28 2007, 11:02 AM) Email me if you have any questions, will be glad to answer. Thank You for your consideration. However we would prefer that all questions be asked in the forums, not privately via email. That way everyone benefits from the information provided. That is the whole purpose of the forums in the first place, after all. Animal, Forum Moderator -------------------- The Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless that for some people it is a complete substitute for life. Andrew Brown "On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key." — Scott Adams. |
|
|
|
|
Jun 29 2007, 01:57 AM
Post
#6
|
|
|
New Member Group: Members Posts: 1 Joined: 29-June 07 Member No.: 140,123 |
I read the suggestions for protecting my computer. I have my ISP providing Anti-Virus, Anti-spyware, popup blocker & firewall. I still get viruses. I don't know what the problem is. Could it be the programs I have that might allow viruses in like you said in your description? I am ready to quit this security system because it doesn't work. I have had 4 viruses since February. What should I do? I had the security tell me I had a virus (and it named it). I closed the box and ran a virus scan which produced nothing. I called my ISP and they said that when the box came up, the security disinfected it. What happens when I run a scan & the infected file is essential--I'm in big trouble then. I can't go on like this. Any suggetions? One lady said they should reinstall the security. Would that help?
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 22 2007, 08:29 PM
Post
#7
|
|
 Member Group: Members Posts: 15 Joined: 13-September 07 From: Pennsylvania Member No.: 156,570 |
QUOTE(littlephoenix @ Jun 28 2007, 02:02 PM) QUOTE(sopcannon @ Mar 13 2007, 09:10 PM) ok not knowcking the suggestions but wont that slow down the performance of many pc`s and/or slow down internet ? yes in fact these will slow down your PC , apps such as spyware bot installs a real time scanner called teatimer and SD resident which run in the background, also your virus scanner and firewall will slow down your PC, but you know what, its better to have a 15% slower PC then to be at a risk of infection. There are some things that will really slow down your PC such as the new adaware 2007 adwatch, that will take a good chunk of your resource and really slow things down so i would not suggest that at all, maybe run the app itself to find any spyware or MRU's cookies etc. also i recommend for everyone to have at least 2MB of ram, that will help you a great deal ;) Email me if you have any questions, will be glad to answer. much luck I too have found that having all these programs installed really slowed down the internet surfing on my 80 GB - 512 MB Ram computer on dial-up. My solution was that since I have the Enterra Download Manager add on for IE I just uninstalled everything except my Sygate Personal Firewall and AVG Free. The Manager stores the other programs for me until I want to run a scan. I just reinstall for that purpose and then uninstall again. The Manager is helpful because you don't have to go through the, sometimes, hours of downloading the program from the internet again. I suppose that you can probably save these programs to a disk also? I don't currently have a burner so the Download Manager is what I use. |
|
|
|
|
Nov 8 2007, 01:40 AM
Post
#8
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 50 Joined: 31-October 07 Member No.: 166,758 |
QUOTE(marsha123 @ Jun 29 2007, 01:57 AM) I read the suggestions for protecting my computer. I have my ISP providing Anti-Virus, Anti-spyware, popup blocker & firewall. I still get viruses. I don't know what the problem is. Could it be the programs I have that might allow viruses in like you said in your description? I am ready to quit this security system because it doesn't work. I have had 4 viruses since February. What should I do? I had the security tell me I had a virus (and it named it). I closed the box and ran a virus scan which produced nothing. I called my ISP and they said that when the box came up, the security disinfected it. What happens when I run a scan & the infected file is essential--I'm in big trouble then. I can't go on like this. Any suggetions? One lady said they should reinstall the security. Would that help? WOW HERE WE GO MARSHA I used to hear this all the time when I moderated the AntiVirus chats on AOL. Your ISP provides you programs that you can download and install in your computer for FREE. they do not protect you through your internet connection. Most do scan E-mails for known malicious attachments and block them. That is not anywhere near good enough. If you get an infection in the first few days that it is circulating , your only hope is to catch it with updated definitions when you run your Antivirus scan this week or next week. You only want one AV program installed and running. AdWare and SpyWare are just not going to be effectivley caotured by your ISP YOU MUST INSTALL UPDATE AND RUN THOSE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS YOUR AntuVirus program Once a week is good, More often is better. I have worked with people who thought that they were safe and wondered why their computer ran so slow. They had 450 spyware programs (95 of them activley sending out information at the time) on their computer. there were over 100 Adware programs on that machine also. You can install several Anti-SpyWare and Anti-AdWare programs just don't run scans with them at the same time. |
|
|
|
|
Dec 24 2007, 02:02 PM
Post
#9
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 18 Joined: 20-May 07 Member No.: 132,017 |
hey guys i know im terribly stupid, ima just stop downloading crap.
aight hers my problem, i went to this site speedyshare. it was a green site according to mcaffe site advisor, but when i downloaded the program, it came to be a virus, i have now antivira antivirus, and it picked the virus up, and i clicked delete, are there any chances that im still infected?? {Mod Edit:Removed dangerous link~~boopme} This post has been edited by boopme: Dec 24 2007, 10:28 PM |
|
|
|
|
Dec 24 2007, 09:23 PM
Post
#10
|
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 50 Joined: 31-October 07 Member No.: 166,758 |
I am not one of the staff or Moderators, I probably have no bussiness sending you a reply, But you directed a message to me, and it is Christmas Eve. I can tell you that the way this help site works it is better to not have many replies on record. A reply may indicate to members of the staff that you are being helped by one of the staff.
I consider myself to be pretty good at malware. I ran the malware help site on AOL on Friday nights. I came here for a problem that I could not take care of myself. This group will help you with detailed instructions and links to tools which wiill determine what if any infections or results of infections you have. People remove a virus and think that the issue is resolved, but very often the virus has caused some damage which needs to be adressed. These people will help you address such problems. Be patient; they are volunteers. You will communicate via E-mail with links to answers and to more questions with instructions. Take their advice and follow their instructions, and when you are finished you will have learned some new tricks you will be happy with your computer. GOOD LUCK and MERRY CHRISTMAS |
|
|
|
|
Dec 24 2007, 10:15 PM
Post
#11
|
|
 Senior Member Group: BC Advisor Posts: 513 Joined: 15-July 06 From: In the middle of Kansas Member No.: 76,380 |
Hennessy
Yep. There is still a very good chance that you are still infected I recommend that you start your own thread so that we can all look at and adress your issues without getting confused with anyone else's post And Merry Christmas too! There are still plenty of people here, willing to address you issue Even on Christma eve! |
|
|
|
 Jan 19 2008, 07:43 AM
Post
#12
|
|
|
a forum member Group: Members Posts: 1,620 Joined: 27-August 07 Member No.: 153,171 |
QUOTE(Grinler @ Sep 9 2004, 05:45 PM) Below I have outlined a series of categories that outline how you can increase the security of your computer so that you will not be infected again in the future. [*] Another tactic to fool you on the web is when a site displays a popup that looks like a normal Windows message or alert. When you click on them, though, they instead bring you to another site that is trying to push a product on you. We suggest that you close these windows by clicking on the [b]X[/b] instead of the OK button. Alternatively, you can check to see if it's a real alert by right-clicking on the window. If there is a menu that comes up saying Add to Favorites... you know it's a fake. due to the habit of nasties hiding IN those X's, is it not now considered as unsafe practice to close the window via the X ; but rather to go to task manager and close the window via that route? am I also correct in assuming that if one has a hardware firewall , then a software firewall is NOT necessarily needed or required? |
|
|
|
|
Jan 19 2008, 02:41 PM
Post
#13
|
|
|
Bleepin' Animin Group: Site Admin Posts: 4,819 Joined: 18-August 05 From: Now On... Member No.: 31,547 |
QUOTE(ruby1 @ Jan 19 2008, 04:43 AM) am I also correct in assuming that if one has a hardware firewall , then a software firewall is NOT necessarily needed or required? http://blogs.chron.com/helpline/archives/networking/ Third post down "Hardware vs. software firewall" the reply captures my feelings exactly. I'm not saying it's correct. Just my personal perception. -------------------- The Internet is so big, so powerful and pointless that for some people it is a complete substitute for life. Andrew Brown "On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key." — Scott Adams. |
|
|
|
|
Jan 19 2008, 10:23 PM
Post
#14
|
|
 To INSANITY and BEYOND !! Group: Moderator Posts: 7,016 Joined: 10-September 04 From: NJ USA Member No.: 2,608 |
I am in agreement with One software firewall behind my Router. I feel thar is the most secure.
-------------------- Can you spare some PC cycles to help FIND A CURE .. BC FOLDING TEAM Click me /info..
ThoughtVent a goodplace to discuss.<<>>>Staying Updated Calendar of Updates. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.... |
|
|
|
|
Jan 20 2008, 09:49 AM
Post
#15
|
|
 New Member Group: Members Posts: 7 Joined: 1-May 06 Member No.: 66,211 |
Hi guys..
I would like to get an opinion from you.I use Kaspersky KIS 7 1.321,and I feel I´m well protected.But its Spyware I think about.At the moment I have installed BO clean,as I think its a great AS app.but is it really necesarry when I use KIS?I also have Superantispyw.free ed. to on demand scans,but it never find anything.I keep it tho,I think the consensus is,that its one of the best to catch AS if it has gone into the machine. I know the opinions about this subject is very different,but maybe some of you real oldtimers that have tried most off what there is? Thanks in advance for the help. 
This post has been edited by Nevi: Jan 20 2008, 09:52 AM |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
| Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 8th July 2008 - 10:51 PM |
| Advertise | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Site Map | Chat | Tutorials | Uninstall List | |
| Discussion Forums | The Computer Glossary |