BleepingComputer.com: Unidentified infection sending emails to contacts

Hi,

there's just a general type of advise on reformatting and what to backup I would give:
Reformatting a hard disk deletes all data. You can back up all your important documents, personal data files, photos to a CD or DVD drive, not a flash drive or external hard drive as they may become compromised in the process. The safest practice is not to backup any executable files (*.exe), screensavers (*.scr), autorun (.ini) or script files (.php, .asp, and .html) files because they may be infected by malware. Avoid backing up compressed files (.zip, .cab, .rar) that have executable files inside them as some types of malware can penetrate and infect .exe files within compressed files too. Other types of malware may even disguise itself by adding and hiding its extension to the existing extension of file(s) so be sure you look closely at the full file name. After reformatting, scan the backed up data with your anti-virus prior to to copying it back to your hard drive.

If you're not sure how to reformat or need help with reformatting, please review:

• How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP
  
• Prepping for a Clean Install Windows XP.

These links include step-by-step instructions with screenshots:

• XP Clean Install Interactive Setup
  
• How to reformat your computer in case of a severe malware infection
  
• Reformat & Clean Install Windows XP

Don't forget you will have to go to Microsoft Update and apply all Windows security patches after reformatting.
Also see How to keep your Windows XP activation after clean install.

Note: If you're using an IBM, Sony, HP, Compaq or Dell machine, you may not have an original XP CD Disk. By policy Microsoft no longer allows OEM manufactures to include the original Windows XP CD-ROM on computers sold with Windows pre-installed. Instead, most computers manufactured and sold by OEM vendors come with a vendor-specific Recovery Disk or Recovery Partition for performing a clean "factory restore" that will reformat your hard drive, remove all data and restore the computer to the state it was in when you first purchased it. See Technology Advisory Recovery Media.

If you need additional assistance with reformatting or have questions about multiple hard drives, you can start a new topic in the Windows XP Home and Professional forum. If you don't get a reply, please send me a PM and I will get someone to take a look.

Due to the lack of feedback, this topic is now closed.

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