Huge Problems

[Barbara]

Hi, I have been having problems for ages now. I no longer
get my automatic update notification, although it's set
to on. I am not able to do any updates because I can't
get any further than the "Checking for latest version of
the windows update software"
I'm certain I need to download latest security patches
etc.
My computer keeps getting parasites,today I have ISTbar!!
I have noadware installed, and I scan and delete
everytime I start my PC, this gets rid of most stuff, but
not for good.
Regards the downloads..I followed instructions which
someone gave me some time back,to delete certain files
and try again, this didn't work. I have firewalls in my
ISP'S but I don't think I have anything like Zone Alarm,
so this shouldn't stop the updates should it? and I've
always got to update before. Can anyone tell me if I
should be checking some of my computer settings and
putting them right. Please try to help if you can, I'm
being driven to distraction here. Regards Barbara

 

[Haus]

Hello
1 - Download & Run ZoneAlarm Firewall. (free)



2 - Download, Update & Run Ad-Aware Spy Remover. (free)

www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



3 - Download & Run a free virus scanner to double check your current one.

www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Scanners.htm



4 - Be sure to visit Microsoft's Windows Update site and download all the
windows updates this is for your security and safety.

www.microsoft.com/windowsupdate



Be sure your virus protection has been registered and auto update is
enabled.


--
Hope This Helps
Haus
Not a MVP
Not a MS-MVP
Not nothing just a good ole boy..

 

[Haus]

Hello Again
I have not heard of ISP's offering a firewall, but could be that it is not
configured correctly, ZoneAlarm will be set to default after downloading and
will work as good as any.

--
Hope This Helps
Haus
Not a MVP
Not a MS-MVP
Not nothing just a good ole boy..

 

[cquirke (MVP Win9x)]

On Sun, 13 Jun 2004 11:25:41 -0700, "Barbara"

Malware isn't as smart as it can be, but it's not completely
brain-dead either. Many malware are aware of threats to their
survival, such as antivirus, firewalls or patching, and tackle these
in various ways; closing down such processes, blocking updates,
uninstalling software, spoofing site addressing etc.

Bear that in mind when reading Barbara's tale...

Hi, I have been having problems for ages now.

Active malware will do that...

I no longer get my automatic update notification, although
it's set to on. I am not able to do any updates

....and can do that.

My computer keeps getting parasites,today I have ISTbar!!
I have noadware installed, and I scan and delete
everytime I start my PC, this gets rid of most stuff, but
not for good.

You need to do something like this:

1) Get off the Internet and any other networks
- can't clean if still connected to malware sources
2) Formally scan to exclude/clean traditional malware
- i.e. "virus", "worms", "trojans" etc.
- if FATxx, see http://cquirke.mvps.org/9x/virtest.htm
- www.f-prot.com for free, updatable DOS-based av
- www.nod32.com for free evaluation DOS-based av
- www.sophos.com for free evaluation DOS-based av
- if NTFS, see http://cquirke.mvps.org/whatmos.htm
- don't rely on informal Windows-based av for this
- don't rely on even more informal online av for this
- av scanner's signature data must be up to date
3) Informally scan and clean commercial malware
- i.e. "spyware", "adware", BHOs, hijacks etc.
- www.lavasoft.de for free Ad-Aware 6 and updates
- also find free Spybot 1.3 and updates
- also find latest copy of free CWSShredder
- these tools must be up to date
4) Sanity-check File and Print (F&PS) settings and shares
- don't bind F&PS to Internet connection!
- don't full-share any part of the startup axis, i.e.
- don't full-share the whole of C:
- don't full-share the whole of "Documents and Settings"
- don't full-share the whole of any user subtree (StartUp)
5) Enable your firewall and connect to Internet
- use XP's built-in firewall, if nothing else
6) Patch up your PC
- malware often spreads as bogus "patches"
- so source patches only from Microsoft's site
7) Update your resident antivirus
- www.grisoft.com for free AVG 6.0 if you don't have one
8) Repeat (1-7) for all PCs on your network
9) Reconnect to your network

Skip (8) and (9) if not on a LAN.

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