BleepingComputer.com: Constant redirecting to other website

Well I still get the prompt in Firefox that says "Firefox has prevented this site from redirecting you to another page"...
I don't get it in IE or Google chrome though.

Should I stop using Firefox?

Lets uninstall it and then reinstall it and see if it does the same thing - when asked about user files or settings be sure to delete them




gringo

Okay Gringo, I deleted and re-installed Firefox and have not seen the prompt come up. I guess the problem is gone?! Is there anything else I should do to verify?

Thank you Gringo.

These logs are looking allot better. But we still have some work to do.

Please print out these instructions, or copy them to a Notepad file. It will make it easier for you to follow the instructions and complete all of the necessary steps..

uninstall some programs

NOTE** Because of the cleanup process some of the programs I have listed may not be in add/remove anymore this is fine just move to the next item on the list.

You can remove these programs using add/remove or you can use the free uninstaller from Revo (it does allot better of a job

Programs to remove


Bing Bar
Bing Bar Platform
Bing Rewards Client Installer

Please download and install Revo Uninstaller Free

• Double click Revo Uninstaller to run it.
  
• From the list of programs double click on The Program to remove
  
• When prompted if you want to uninstall click Yes.
  
• Be sure the Moderate option is selected then click Next.
  
• The program will run, If prompted again click Yes
  
• when the built-in uninstaller is finished click on Next.
  
• Once the program has searched for leftovers click Next.
  
• Check/tick the bolded items only on the list then click Delete
  
• when prompted click on Yes and then on next.
  
• put a check on any folders that are found and select delete
  
• when prompted select yes then on next
  
• Once done click Finish.

.


TFC(Temp File Cleaner):

• Please download TFC to your desktop,
  
• Save any unsaved work. TFC will close all open application windows.
  
• Double-click TFC.exe to run the program.
  
• If prompted, click "Yes" to reboot.

Note: Save your work. TFC will automatically close any open programs, let it run uninterrupted. It shouldn't take longer take a couple of minutes, and may only take a few seconds. Only if needed will you be prompted to reboot.

: Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware :

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware to your desktop.


• Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
  
• At the end, be sure a checkmark is placed next to
  • Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
    
  • and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
• then click Finish.
  
• If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version.
  
• Once the program has loaded, select Perform quick scan, then click Scan.
  
• When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
  
• Be sure that everything is Checked (ticked) except items in the C:\System Volume Information folder and click on Remove Selected.
  
• When completed, a log will open in Notepad. please copy and paste the log into your next reply
  
  • If you accidently close it, the log file is saved here and will be named like this:
    
  • C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application Data\Malwarebytes\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\Logs\mbam-log-date (time).txt

Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts.
Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process.
If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.

Download HijackThis

If you have any problems running Hijackthis see NOTE** below (Host file not read, blank notepad ...)

• Go Here to download HijackThis Installer
  
• Save HijackThis Installer to your desktop.
  
• Double-click on the HijackThis Installer icon on your desktop. (Vista and Win 7 right click and run as admin)
  
• By default it will install to C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis .
  
• Click on Install.
  
• It will create a HijackThis icon on the desktop.
  
• Once installed it will launch Hijackthis.
  
• Click on the Do a system scan and save a logfile button. It will scan and the log should open in notepad.
  
• Click on Edit > Select All then click on Edit > Copy to copy the entire contents of the log.
  
• Come back here to this thread and Paste the log in your next reply.
  
• DO NOT use the AnalyseThis button its findings are dangerous if misinterpreted.
  
• DO NOT have Hijackthis fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless or even required.

NOTE**
sometimes we have to run it like this To run HijackThis as an administrator, right-click HijackThis.exe
(located: C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe)<--32bit
(located: C:\Program Files(86)\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe)<--64bit
and select to run as administrator

"information and logs"

In your next post I need the following


• Log From MBAM
  
• report from Hijackthis
  
• let me know of any problems you may have had
  
• How is the computer doing now?

Gringo

Okay Gringo here at the logs and do I need to have the Malwarebytes software running since I already have the Norton 5.0 on all the time too?
The computer seems to be running fine. I have not seen the log since I re install Firefox. Other than should I be looking for something else to judge the performance?

MBRAM:

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Trial) 1.60.1.1000
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2012.02.02.08

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
Internet Explorer 9.0.8112.16421
Best Buy :: EL [administrator]

Protection: Enabled

02/02/2012 6:53:51 PM
mbam-log-2012-02-02 (18-53-51).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
Scan options disabled: P2P
Objects scanned: 180693
Time elapsed: 2 minute(s), 9 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

(end)

HiJackthis:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 7:02:41 PM, on 02/02/2012
Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v9.00 (9.00.8112.16421)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\TabTip32.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.1.0.29\ccSvcHst.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\HP Odometer\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Sendori\SendoriTray.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Hp\HP Software Update\hpwuschd2.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://g.msn.com/HPCON/19
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://g.msn.com/HPCON/19
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ÿþ127.0.0.1 localhost
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: Symantec NCO BHO - {602ADB0E-4AFF-4217-8AA1-95DAC4DFA408} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.1.0.29\coIEPlg.dll
O2 - BHO: Symantec Intrusion Prevention - {6D53EC84-6AAE-4787-AEEE-F4628F01010C} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.1.0.29\IPS\IPSBHO.DLL
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java™ Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre7\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton Toolbar - {7FEBEFE3-6B19-4349-98D2-FFB09D4B49CA} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.1.0.29\coIEPlg.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] c:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Norton Online Backup] C:\Program Files (x86)\Symantec\Norton Online Backup\NOBuClient.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PDF Complete] C:\Program Files (x86)\PDF Complete\pdfsty.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APSDaemon] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\APSDaemon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware] C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe /install /silent
O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Sendori Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Sendori\SendoriTray.exe
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1004 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WindowsLiveWriterShortcuts.dll,-1003 - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O11 - Options group: [ACCELERATED_GRAPHICS] Accelerated graphics
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{031B4F07-C33E-481C-8072-3268D3BA8895}: NameServer = 216.146.35.240,216.146.36.240,192.168.1.254
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{031B4F07-C33E-481C-8072-3268D3BA8895}: NameServer = 216.146.35.240,216.146.36.240,192.168.1.254
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\..\{031B4F07-C33E-481C-8072-3268D3BA8895}: NameServer = 216.146.35.240,216.146.36.240,192.168.1.254
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: ASP.NET State Service (aspnet_state) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_state.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Autodesk Licensing Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: GamesAppService - WildTangent, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\WildTangent Games\App\GamesAppService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: HP Health Check Service - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\HP Health Check\hphc_service.exe
O23 - Service: HP Client Services (HPClientSvc) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Client Services\HPClientServices.exe
O23 - Service: HP Quick Synchronization Service (HPDrvMntSvc.exe) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\HPDrvMntSvc.exe
O23 - Service: HP Software Framework Service (hpqwmiex) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files (x86)\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqWmiEx.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - c:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Management and Security Application Local Management Service (LMS) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel® Management Engine Components\LMS\LMS.exe
O23 - Service: MBAMService - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Norton 360 (N360) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton 360\Engine\5.1.0.29\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Norton Online Backup (NOBU) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Symantec\Norton Online Backup\NOBuAgent.exe
O23 - Service: PDF Document Manager (pdfcDispatcher) - PDF Complete Inc - C:\Program Files (x86)\PDF Complete\pdfsvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Sendori - Sendori, Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Sendori\SendoriSvc.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: TabletServiceWacom - Wacom Technology, Corp. - C:\Program Files\Tablet\Wacom\Wacom_Tablet.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel® Management and Security Application User Notification Service (UNS) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Intel® Management Engine Components\UNS\UNS.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 9909 bytes

Greetings

It is ok to have norton and MBAM running at the same time

These logs are looking very good, we are almost done!!! Just one more scan to go.

:Remove unneeded start-up entries:

This part of the fix is purely optional
These are programs that start up when you turn on your computer but don't need to be, any of these programs you can click on their icons (or start from the control panel) and start the program when you need it. By stopping these programs you will boot up faster and your computer will work faster.

If you have any problems running Hijackthis see NOTE** below (Host file not read, blank notepad ...)

• Run HijackThis
  
• Click on the Scan button
  
• Put a check beside all of the items listed below (if present):
  
  
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] c:\Program Files (x86)\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APSDaemon] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\APSDaemon.exe"
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
  O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
  O4 - Global Startup: Sendori Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Sendori\SendoriTray.exe
  
  
  
  
• Close all open windows and browsers/email, etc...
  
• Click on the "Fix Checked" button
  
• When completed, close the application.
  
  
  NOTE**You can research each of those lines >here< and see if you want to keep them or not
  just copy the name between the brackets and paste into the search space
  O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliPoint]

NOTE**
sometimes we have to run it like this To run HijackThis as an administrator, right-click HijackThis.exe
(located: C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe)<--32bit
(located: C:\Program Files(86)\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe)<--64bit
and select to run as administrator

Eset Online Scanner

**Note** You will need to use Internet explorer for this scan - Vista and win 7 right click on IE shortcut and run as admin

Go Eset web page to run an online scanner from ESET.

• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
  
• click on the ESET Online Scanner button
  
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
  
  • Click Start
• When asked, allow the ActiveX control to install
  
  • Click Start
• Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked and the Scan Archives option is ticked.
  
• Click on Advanced Settings, ensure the options
  
  Scan for potentially unwanted applications, Scan for potentially unsafe applications, and Enable Anti-Stealth Technology are ticked.
• Click Scan
  
• Wait for the scan to finish
  
• Click on copy to clipboard and paste the results here in this topic
  
• you may also find here C:\Program Files\Eset\Eset Online Scanner\log.txt

Copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic

Gringo

Hey Gringo,
here is the ESET Online scanner log I got,

ESETSmartInstaller@High as CAB hook log:
OnlineScanner64.ocx - registred OK
OnlineScanner.ocx - registred OK
# version=7
# iexplore.exe=9.00.8112.16421 (WIN7_IE9_RTM.110308-0330)
# OnlineScanner.ocx=1.0.0.6583
# api_version=3.0.2
# EOSSerial=eec8e72bef094141998d1759dc096305
# end=finished
# remove_checked=false
# archives_checked=true
# unwanted_checked=true
# unsafe_checked=true
# antistealth_checked=true
# utc_time=2012-02-03 07:05:37
# local_time=2012-02-03 02:05:37 (-0500, Eastern Standard Time)
# country="Canada"
# lang=1033
# osver=6.1.7601 NT Service Pack 1
# compatibility_mode=512 16777215 100 0 0 0 0 0
# compatibility_mode=3589 16777213 100 80 2194599 78826297 0 0
# compatibility_mode=5893 16776574 100 94 2469120 79793651 0 0
# compatibility_mode=8192 67108863 100 0 0 0 0 0
# scanned=143913
# found=0
# cleaned=0
# scan_time=2535

Very well done!! This is my general post for when your logs show no more signs of malware - Please let me know if you still are having problems with your computer and what these problems are.


The following procedure will implement some cleanup procedures. It will also reset your System Restore by flushing out previous restore points and create a new restore point. It will also remove all the backups our tools may have made.

Any programs and logs that are left over you can just be deleted from the desktop. TFC is a free temp file cleaner that is very easy to use, I would keep this and use before you do any scans or when you want to free up some space.

:DeFogger:

To re-enable your Emulation drivers, double click DeFogger to run the tool.

• The application window will appear
  
• Click the Re-enable button to re-enable your CD Emulation drivers
  
• Click Yes to continue
  
• A 'Finished!' message will appear
  
• Click OK
  
• DeFogger will now ask to reboot the machine - click OK

Your Emulation drivers are now re-enabled.

:Uninstall ComboFix:

• turn off all active protection software
  
• push the "windows key" + "R" (between the "Ctrl" button and "Alt" Button)
  
• please copy and past the following into the box ComboFix /Uninstall and click OK.
  
• Note the space between the X and the /Uninstall, it needs to be there.
  
• 

:remove tools:

Please download OTCleanIt and save it to desktop. This tool will remove all the tools we used to clean your pc.

• Double-click OTCleanIt.exe.
  
• Click the CleanUp! button.
  
• Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
  
• If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
  
• The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it by yourself.
  
• If asked to restart the computer, please do so

Note: If you receive a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTCleanIt attempting to contact the internet, please allow it to do so.


:Make your Internet Explorer more secure:

• From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  
• Click once on the Security tab
  
• Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  
• Click once 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
  
• 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.

:Make Firefox more secure:

please visit this page to explain how to make Firefox more secure - How to Secure Firefox

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


:Turn On Automatic Updates:

Turn On Automatic Updates
1. Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then press ENTER.
2. Click the Automatic Updates tab, and then click to select one of the following options. We recommend that you select the Automatic (recommended) Automatically download recommended updates for my computer and install them

If you click this setting, click to select the day and time for scheduled updates to occur. You can schedule Automatic Updates for any time of day. Remember, your computer must be on at the scheduled time for updates to be installed. After you set this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to find updates on the Windows Update Web site or on the Microsoft Update Web site that apply to your computer. Updates are downloaded automatically in the background, and you are not notified or interrupted during this process. An icon appears in the notification area of your taskbar when the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status. To pause or to resume the download, right-click the icon, and then click Pause or Resume. When the download is completed, another message appears in the notification area so that you can review the updates that are scheduled for installation. If you choose not to install at that time, Windows starts the installation on your set schedule.

or 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.

:antispyware programs:

I would reccomend the download and installation of some or all of the following programs (all free), and the updating of them regularly:

• WinPatrol As a robust security monitor, WinPatrol will alert you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge.
  
  
• Spyware Blaster - By altering your registry, this program stops harmful sites from installing things like ActiveX Controls on your machines.
  
  
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a new and powerful anti-malware tool. It is
  totally free but for real-time protection you will have to pay a small one-time fee. We used this to help clean your computer and recomend keeping it and using often.

Here is some great reading about how to be safer online:

PC Safety and Security - What Do I Need? from my friends at Tech Support Forum
and
COMPUTER SECURITY - a short guide to staying safer online from my friends at Malware Removal

I'd be grateful if you could reply to this post so that I know you have read it and, if you've no other questions, the thread can then be closed.

I Will Keep This Open For About Three Days, If Anything Comes Up - Just Come Back And Let Me Know, after that time you will have to send me a PM

My help is free, however, if you wish to make a small donation to show your appreciation or to help me continue the fight against Malware, then click here --><-- Don't worry every little bit helps.

Gringo

Everything seems to be running OK. Except until I ran TFC again, my computer froze and I had to unplug it to restart it. It started up fine however now I have a bunch of desktop.ini files. Should I manually go and delete them all? Or what should I do.

they can be deleted - but there may be one that cannot so don't worry if that happens




gringo

It appears that this issue is resolved, therefore I am closing the topic. If that is not the case and you need or wish to continue with this topic, please send me or any Moderator a Personal Message (PM) that you would like this topic re-opened.