new here with problem

[DeRick]

Ive ALWAYS had problems with my winxp/com. but this
problem i dont know what it is. im not sure if i can even
explain it. but sometimes my computer graphics "scramble"
in other words, I hear my pc "running" something and all
of a sudden all these folders and windows would flash on
& off the screen such as "my computer" and the "search"
window, and other documents and then my pc would beep. I
took it 2 have it fixed about a month ago & it was fine 4
a while but it started up again. some people say its a
virus, others say its low on memory.
PLEEEZE HELP!!!

 

[Guest]

How much memory do you have?
Do you have a anti-virus scanner?

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
How much memory do you have?
Do you have a anti-virus scanner?

.

It DID send sorry 4 that extra, I just didnt see my
original post. Yeah i checked my memory, i still have
plenty. And it cant B a virus, because the guy who fixed
it said that he removed it, but its still going on. and
when i called him up about it, his assistint said i
probly got it back again just from being on the net. That
dont make much sense at all.

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi - Actually it makes a lot of sense in today's Internet environment.
There are two things you need to do. First is to take some steps to clean
up your machine:

You kinda need to know what the parasite(s) is/are before you can do much
about fixing them except to apply some general tools like AdAware and/or
SpyBot S&D (see below). Start here:

Download HijackThis, free, here:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip

Unzip it to any convenient folder, start it then press Scan. Click on
SaveLog when it's finished which will create hijackthis.log. Now click the
Config button, then Misc Tools and click on Generate StartupList.log which
will create Startuplist.txt

Then go to one of the following forums:

Spyware and Hijackware Removal Support, here:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/index.php?s=8a236cdf61469fbad3bddbe810be0374&act=SF&f=11

or Net-Integration here:
http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-...86d536d57b5f65b6e40c55365e;act=ST;f=27;t=6949

or Tom Coyote here:
http://tomcoyote.org/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=10&t=495&s=2c6e92805e310b519b9fa61cc7098fba

Sign in, then copy and paste both files into a message asking for
assistance, Someone will answer with detailed instructions for the removal
of your parasite(s).


For the general hijack case, the best way to start is to get Ad-Aware 6.0,
Build 181 or later, here: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/.
Update and run this regularly to get rid of most "spyware/hijackware" on
your machine. If it has to fix things, be sure to re-boot and rerun
AdAware again and repeat this cycle until you get a clean scan. The reason
is that it may have to remove things which are currently "in use" before it
can then clean up others.

Another excellent program for this purpose is SpyBot Search and Destroy
available here: http://security.kolla.de/ SpyBot Support Forum here:
http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi. I recommend
using both normally. After fixing things with SpyBot S&D, be sure to
re-boot and rerun SpyBot again and repeat this cycle until you get a clean
"no red" scan. The reason is that SpyBot sometimes has to remove things
which are currently "in use" before it can then clean up others.


Note that sometimes you need to make a judgement call about what these
programs report as spyware. See here, for example:
http://www.imilly.com/alexa.htm



Next, you need to take some steps to defend your machine:

There are a number of things which need to be considered. I would suggest
the following:

The minimum necessary to start with are a good hardware or software firewall
and an AV.

For the general hijack case, the best way to start is to get Ad-Aware 6.0,
Build 181 or later, here: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/.
Update and run this regularly to get rid of most "spyware/hijackware" on
your machine. If it has to fix things, be sure to re-boot and rerun
AdAware again and repeat this cycle until you get a clean scan. The reason
is that it may have to remove things which are currently "in use" before it
can then clean up others.

Another excellent program for this purpose is SpyBot Search and Destroy
available here: http://security.kolla.de/ SpyBot Support Forum here:
http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi. I recommend
using both normally. After fixing things with SpyBot S&D, be sure to
re-boot and rerun SpyBot again and repeat this cycle until you get a clean
"no red" scan. The reason is that SpyBot sometimes has to remove things
which are currently "in use" before it can then clean up others.


Note that sometimes you need to make a judgement call about what these
programs report as spyware. See here, for example:
http://www.imilly.com/alexa.htm


Next, courtesy of Mike Burgess:

"--Recommended Minimum Security Settings--

Close all instances of IE and OE
Control Panel | Internet Options

Click on the "Security" tab
Highlight the "Internet" icon, click "Custom Level"

1) "Download signed ActiveX scripts" = Prompt
2) "Download unsigned ActiveX scripts = Disable
3) "Initialize and script ActiveX not marked as safe" = Disable
4) "Installation of Desktop items" = Prompt
5) "Launching programs and files in a IFRAME" = Prompt

Click on the "Content" tab
Click the "Publishers" button

Highlight and click "Remove" any unknowns, click Ok

Click on the "Advanced" tab
Uncheck: "Install on demand (other)", click Apply\Ok

Prevent your "HomePage" setting from being Hijacked
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/ietips.htm
_____________________________
Mike Burgess
Information isn't free if you can't find it!
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/"


Note the Publisher setting - this vector is often overlooked.


Then, from me:

You might want to consider installing the SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard
here to help prevent this kind of thing from happening in the future:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareblaster.html (Prevents malware Active
X installs) (BTW, SpyWare Blaster is not memory resident ... no CPU or
memory load - but keep it updated) The latest version as of this writing
will prevent installation or prevent the malware from running (887 parasites
as of this date) if it is already installed, and it provides information and
fixit-links for a variety of parasites.
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html (Monitors for attempts
to install malware) Both Very Highly Recommended.


Next, install and keep updated a good HOSTS file. It can help you avoid
most adware/malware. See here: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
(Be sure it's named/renamed HOSTS - all caps, no extension)


Lastly, with regards to cookies: Courtesy of Mel's Spyware Tools, here:
http://homepage.cooketech.net/~cybermel/Mel's Spyware Tools and Ad Blockers.html

XML-Menu for IE6 - (http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/main.htm, click on IE6
Tools on website) "This package contains a full menu of custom Import XML
files that can be used to manipulate IE6's handling of cookies in the
Internet and Trusted zones (the Privacy tab controls only the Internet
zone). The files are divided into three sets: one "short list" of
recommended files, and two "advanced" lists containing a wide range of
possible Privacy configurations. The ReadMe covers the basics of using
custom XML Import files and details all the files that are available. A
..REG file that can be used to restore the default Privacy tab settings is
included."

This is the technique that I use and, while I do sometimes have to override
on some sites that don't have a Privacy Policy in place, I've found it
almost infallible in stopping bad cookies (I use 1-e, BTW) FWIW, Eric
Howes site, above, is one of the very best on the net with regard to
anything having to do with security. Highly Recommended.

See if any of this helps


--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[Curt]

Unfortunately, it does make sense if you do not have XP's, (ICF), firewall
enabled, or have anti virus program running on your system. In today's
internet environment, bad things can and do happen to computers just by
going online if you do not take precautions before hand. Did your repairman
advise you on what steps to take to protect your system? Once you get things
sorted out, go to www.grisoft.com and download their free anti virus
program. For a free firewall, it's www.sygate.com .

 

[DeRick]

-----Original Message-----
Hi - Actually it makes a lot of sense in today's Internet environment.
There are two things you need to do. First is to take some steps to clean
up your machine:

You kinda need to know what the parasite(s) is/are before you can do much
about fixing them except to apply some general tools like AdAware and/or
SpyBot S&D (see below). Start here:

Download HijackThis, free, here:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip

Unzip it to any convenient folder, start it then press Scan. Click on
SaveLog when it's finished which will create hijackthis.log. Now click the
Config button, then Misc Tools and click on Generate StartupList.log which
will create Startuplist.txt

Then go to one of the following forums:

Spyware and Hijackware Removal Support, here:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/index.php? s=8a236cdf61469fbad3bddbe810be0374&act=SF&f=11

or Net-Integration here:
http://www.net-integration.net/cgi- bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?
s=d3c2c886d536d57b5f65b6e40c55365e;act=ST;f=27;t=6949

or Tom Coyote here:
http://tomcoyote.org/forums/index.php? act=ST&f=10&t=495&s=2c6e92805e310b519b9fa61cc7098fba

Sign in, then copy and paste both files into a message asking for
assistance, Someone will answer with detailed instructions for the removal
of your parasite(s).


For the general hijack case, the best way to start is to get Ad-Aware 6.0,
Build 181 or later, here: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/.
Update and run this regularly to get rid of most "spyware/hijackware" on
your machine. If it has to fix things, be sure to re- boot and rerun
AdAware again and repeat this cycle until you get a clean scan. The reason
is that it may have to remove things which are currently "in use" before it
can then clean up others.

Another excellent program for this purpose is SpyBot Search and Destroy
available here: http://security.kolla.de/ SpyBot Support Forum here:
http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-

bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi. I recommend

using both normally. After fixing things with SpyBot S&D, be sure to
re-boot and rerun SpyBot again and repeat this cycle until you get a clean
"no red" scan. The reason is that SpyBot sometimes has to remove things
which are currently "in use" before it can then clean up others.


Note that sometimes you need to make a judgement call about what these
programs report as spyware. See here, for example:
http://www.imilly.com/alexa.htm



Next, you need to take some steps to defend your machine:

There are a number of things which need to be considered. I would suggest
the following:

The minimum necessary to start with are a good hardware or software firewall
and an AV.

For the general hijack case, the best way to start is to get Ad-Aware 6.0,
Build 181 or later, here: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/.
Update and run this regularly to get rid of most "spyware/hijackware" on
your machine. If it has to fix things, be sure to re- boot and rerun
AdAware again and repeat this cycle until you get a clean scan. The reason
is that it may have to remove things which are currently "in use" before it
can then clean up others.

Another excellent program for this purpose is SpyBot Search and Destroy
available here: http://security.kolla.de/ SpyBot Support Forum here:
http://www.net-integration.net/cgi-

bin/forums/ikonboard.cgi. I recommend

using both normally. After fixing things with SpyBot S&D, be sure to
re-boot and rerun SpyBot again and repeat this cycle until you get a clean
"no red" scan. The reason is that SpyBot sometimes has to remove things
which are currently "in use" before it can then clean up others.


Note that sometimes you need to make a judgement call about what these
programs report as spyware. See here, for example:
http://www.imilly.com/alexa.htm


Next, courtesy of Mike Burgess:

"--Recommended Minimum Security Settings--

Close all instances of IE and OE
Control Panel | Internet Options

Click on the "Security" tab
Highlight the "Internet" icon, click "Custom Level"

1) "Download signed ActiveX scripts" = Prompt
2) "Download unsigned ActiveX scripts = Disable
3) "Initialize and script ActiveX not marked as safe" = Disable
4) "Installation of Desktop items" = Prompt
5) "Launching programs and files in a IFRAME" = Prompt

Click on the "Content" tab
Click the "Publishers" button

Highlight and click "Remove" any unknowns, click Ok

Click on the "Advanced" tab
Uncheck: "Install on demand (other)", click Apply\Ok

Prevent your "HomePage" setting from being Hijacked
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/ietips.htm
_____________________________
Mike Burgess
Information isn't free if you can't find it!
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/"


Note the Publisher setting - this vector is often overlooked.


Then, from me:

You might want to consider installing the SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard
here to help prevent this kind of thing from happening in the future:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/spywareblaster.html (Prevents malware Active
X installs) (BTW, SpyWare Blaster is not memory resident ... no CPU or
memory load - but keep it updated) The latest version as of this writing
will prevent installation or prevent the malware from running (887 parasites
as of this date) if it is already installed, and it provides information and
fixit-links for a variety of parasites.
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html (Monitors for attempts
to install malware) Both Very Highly Recommended.


Next, install and keep updated a good HOSTS file. It can help you avoid
most adware/malware. See here: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
(Be sure it's named/renamed HOSTS - all caps, no extension)


Lastly, with regards to cookies: Courtesy of Mel's Spyware Tools, here:
http://homepage.cooketech.net/~cybermel/Mel's Spyware% 20Tools%20and%20Ad%20Blockers.html

XML-Menu for IE6 -

(http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/main.htm, click on IE6

Tools on website) "This package contains a full menu of custom Import XML
files that can be used to manipulate IE6's handling of cookies in the
Internet and Trusted zones (the Privacy tab controls only the Internet
zone). The files are divided into three sets: one "short list" of
recommended files, and two "advanced" lists containing a wide range of
possible Privacy configurations. The ReadMe covers the basics of using
custom XML Import files and details all the files that are available. A
..REG file that can be used to restore the default Privacy tab settings is
included."

This is the technique that I use and, while I do sometimes have to override
on some sites that don't have a Privacy Policy in place, I've found it
almost infallible in stopping bad cookies (I use 1-e, BTW) FWIW, Eric
Howes site, above, is one of the very best on the net with regard to
anything having to do with security. Highly Recommended.

See if any of this helps


--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In (e-mail address removed)

thanx, sounds a bit complicated, ill print tese replies
up and have someone go through it with me, I also have
alot of disconnections too, Im afraid when I start 2
download any of these Anti virus stuff my internet would
probly disconnect in the middle of the downloading. Its
happened B4 when i was downloading something. I might
just wait till I can afford DSL or sattilite 2 do this,
because from what i heard, they dont dissconnect. THANX
AGAIN!!