Possible Spyware or Virus?

Laura · Mar 31, 2008

My computer is beginning to have much more errors, programs not responding, etc. I'm wondering if I may have been infected...but don't have the FIRST CLUE on where to look or what to do. I have McAfee Security, which detects 0 files, but I'm still concerned.

Mark L. Ferguson · Mar 31, 2008

Your best first look at what is going on, is in Start/all
programs/accessories/'Problem reports and solutions'.

--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm#RateAPostAsAnswer
Mark L. Ferguson
..

Laura · Mar 31, 2008

I did that, and got a list, but there are no updates available for any of
these according to my computer:
Download updates for Windows Vista
Download updates for Microsoft Office System Software
Problem caused by Adobe Acrobat
Problem caused by Flash Player
Follow these steps to troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Internet
Explorer
Problem caused by Adobe Acrobat

I appreciate your help. I'm really not a computer savvy person, but as a
small business owner, it's in my job description for now.

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM · Mar 31, 2008

My computer is beginning to have much more errors, programs not responding,
etc. I'm wondering if I may have been infected...but don't have the FIRST
CLUE on where to look or what to do. I have McAfee Security, which detects 0
files, but I'm still concerned.

-----------------------------------------------------

Do a thorough check for malware (McAfee isn't), following all of the steps
at one of these Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.

Mark L. Ferguson · Mar 31, 2008

All of your errors seem to center on the Update software. There are articles
and help to fix that at the update site. See if any of the error numbers
lead you to something useful.
How to troubleshoot common Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and Windows
Server Update Services installation issues:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906602
--
Was this helpful? Then click the Ratings button. Voting helps the web
interface.
http://www.microsoft.com/wn3/locales/help/help_en-us.htm#RateAPostAsAnswer
Mark L. Ferguson
..

NoStop · Mar 31, 2008

Laura said:
My computer is beginning to have much more errors, programs not
responding, etc. I'm wondering if I may have been infected...but don't
have the FIRST CLUE on where to look or what to do. I have McAfee
Security, which detects 0 files, but I'm still concerned.

The Vista system is starting to break down. Frank will tell you how to
reinstall it from scratch. It isn't all that painful. :-)

Cheers.

--

A US president declared war on poverty. Poverty won.
Another US president declared a war on drugs. Drugs won.
This US president declared a war on terror. Terror won.
Next?

NoStop · Mar 31, 2008

Laura said:
I did that, and got a list, but there are no updates available for any of
these according to my computer:
Download updates for Windows Vista
Download updates for Microsoft Office System Software
Problem caused by Adobe Acrobat
Problem caused by Flash Player
Follow these steps to troubleshoot problems with Microsoft Internet
Explorer
Problem caused by Adobe Acrobat

I appreciate your help. I'm really not a computer savvy person, but as a
small business owner, it's in my job description for now.

Well, I can see another small business going down the drain. Get rid of
Vista now if you want to save your business. At least that's the latest
word from Allan Greenspan.

Cheers.

--

A US president declared war on poverty. Poverty won.
Another US president declared a war on drugs. Drugs won.
This US president declared a war on terror. Terror won.
Next?

Frank · Mar 31, 2008

NoStop said:
...The Vista system is starting to break down.

------------------------------------------------------
How do you know that?
You don't have Vista do you? You can't afford Vista can you? You hate
Microsoft don't you? You will never, ever use any Microsoft software,
let alone Vista, which btw, is the very best OS available today.
So why are you here old man? To harass Vista users? Is that your meaning
of "common sense and decency". Are you an "ethical" person?
So what is your point of being here huh, cause it appears you're here
only to cause disruption.
Frank

Frank · Mar 31, 2008

NoStop said:
Laura wrote:

Well, I can see another small business going down the drain.

Really? You have mental telepathy?

Get rid of

Vista now if you want to save your business.

How are those two connected?

At least that's the latest

word from Allan Greenspan.

Who is Allan Greenspan? Is he related to Alan Greenspan.
Are you drunk? On Drugs? Or are you just having another one of your
psychotic episodes?
Frank

Cheers...well, there doesn't seem to be any cheers in your life does there?

Laura · Mar 31, 2008

I "appreciate" your support for my business. NOT!! In all reality, I've had
Vista for nearly a year and absolutely love it. This is the first hint of
trouble that I've had, and anticipate there to be hiccups with any system.
It's normal. I am just grateful for the support of "others" (not you) in
this group to help me.

Next time you wish to degrade or project a failure for a company, focus on
your own. Mine is successful!

NoStop · Mar 31, 2008

Because MVP's like Carey always recommend that "solution" so it must be a
good one.

You don't have Vista do you?
Correct.

You can't afford Vista can you?

Yes, I can afford Vista. I just don't have a habit of purchasing crap, like
you do. Or rather like your mommy does.

You hate
Microsoft don't you?

Correct and for good reason.

You will never, ever use any Microsoft software,
let alone Vista, which btw, is the very best OS available today.

Correct, I have stopped using Microsoft crapware a number of years ago.
Vista is the worst OS available today.

So why are you here old man?

I'm not an old man. How old are you sonny? 12?

To harass Vista users?

No, I don't harass Vista users. I offer them correct advice and only hassle
Wintards like you.

Is that your meaning
of "common sense and decency".

Yes it is.

Are you an "ethical" person?

Yes I am.

So what is your point of being here huh, cause it appears you're here
only to cause disruption.

You're the one who disrupts around here. This has been told to you by many
people. Unfortunately, your brain injury prevents you from understanding
this. Very sad.

Frank

Cheers.

--

A US president declared war on poverty. Poverty won.
Another US president declared a war on drugs. Drugs won.
This US president declared a war on terror. Terror won.
Next?

Frank · Mar 31, 2008

NoStop said:
Frank wrote:

Because MVP's like Carey always recommend that "solution" so it must be a
good one.

He does? I think you are either confused or lying. Which is it?

Yes, I can afford Vista. I just don't have a habit of purchasing crap, like
you do. Or rather like your mommy does.

Oh, now that's a really thoughtful and intelligent answer.

Correct and for good reason.

Ahhh...did they refuse to hire you or did they fire you?
So that makes you the perfect candidate for linux doesn't it? Hating MS
is the very basic requirement for all linux users isn't it?

Correct, I have stopped using Microsoft crapware a number of years ago.

But your still using linux? I thought you just said you stopped using
"crapware?. What happen?

Vista is the worst OS available today.

Strange...You just said that you don't have Vista, so you don't really
know anything at all about Vista do you?

So why are you here old man?

I'm not an old man. How old are you sonny? 12?

Old enough to know that you are an old man.

No, I don't harass Vista users.

Utttt...no lying!

I offer them correct advice and only hassle

Wintards like you.

Ahhh...there you go...the truth. You do hassle Vista/Windows users. You
hate them as much as you hate MS.

Yes it is.

You are sick aren't you?

Yes I am.

hehehe...possible you should look up the meaning of the term "ethical",
ok? You do have a dictionary with that os you're so devoted to right?

You're the one who disrupts around here.

No, I actually use Vista and have helped others who use Vista.
You don't have Vista and you've admitted that you hate Vista/MS/Windows.
You disrupt this ng every chance you get. Everyone here knows that to be
true, so stop lying.

This has been told to you by many

people.

Only the lying linux trolls don't like seeing me here.
Too bad!

Unfortunately, your brain injury prevents you from understanding

this. Very sad.

Ahhh..now the insanity of your argument come thru.
Very sad.
Hatred causes you to do that doesn't it?
Frank

I see no cheers in your hate-filled life.

Ken Blake, MVP · Mar 31, 2008

My computer is beginning to have much more errors,
programs not responding, etc. I'm wondering if I may
have been infected...but don't have the FIRST CLUE
on where to look or what to do. I have McAfee Security,
which detects 0 files, but I'm still concerned.

I recommend that you begin troubleshooting by going to MVP Malke's
malware removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware and
following the instructions there.

Apply_Directly_To_Forehead · Apr 1, 2008

NoStop said:
Because MVP's like Carey always recommend that "solution" so it must be a
good one.

Yes, I can afford Vista. I just don't have a habit of purchasing crap,
like
you do. Or rather like your mommy does.

Correct and for good reason.

Correct, I have stopped using Microsoft crapware a number of years ago.
Vista is the worst OS available today.

I'm not an old man. How old are you sonny? 12?

No, I don't harass Vista users. I offer them correct advice and only
hassle
Wintards like you.

Yes it is.

Yes I am.

You're the one who disrupts around here. This has been told to you by many
people. Unfortunately, your brain injury prevents you from understanding
this. Very sad.

Cheers.

--

A US president declared war on poverty. Poverty won.
Another US president declared a war on drugs. Drugs won.
This US president declared a war on terror. Terror won.
Next?

People declared NoStop Retarted. Retards lost.

Apply_Directly_To_Forehead · Apr 1, 2008

You are just incredibly retarted. Over and over and over you keep up your
bashing. Why not go out and try and get a job? I hear they need people at
Burger King and Taco Bell. You just might be able to get one of those jobs
although, you would need some training to handle it. Maybe with your parents
help and with help from other members of the community, they could all help
you.

Remember, it take a village to help an idiot.

Apply_Directly_To_Forehead · Apr 1, 2008

You are just incredibly retarted. Over and over and over you keep up your
bashing. Why not go out and try and get a job? I hear they need people at
Burger King and Taco Bell. You just might be able to get one of those jobs
although, you would need some training to handle it. Maybe with your parents
help and with help from other members of the community, they could all help
you.

Remember, it take a village to help an idiot.

Gene K · Apr 1, 2008

Laura,
Download and install "CCleaner" from here: http://www.ccleaner.com/ . It
will clean out a bunch of temporary and trash files you no longer need which
may help your problem. Stay with the default (already check marked) options
(personally I do add a checkmark to the Advanced Options Box by "Old
prefetch data") and run it and delete everything it finds. Also, many do not
believe that McAfee is the best security program to have.
Gene K
My computer is beginning to have much more errors, programs not responding,
etc. I'm wondering if I may have been infected...but don't have the FIRST
CLUE on where to look or what to do. I have McAfee Security, which detects 0
files, but I'm still concerned.

Laura · Apr 2, 2008

Gene, thanks for the tip. My mom (yeah, I know...go ahead and laugh) as a
gift when I started working from home. It's up in June so I think I'm going
to try something else for security. At the time, I didn't have anything
else, and I graciously accepted the gift (although I would have preferred a
business book or something like that). LOL.

What do you recommend for security programs? Norton is the only other one
I'm familiar with and that was used in a small business and seemed to work
ok, with the exception of blocking spam emails (I'd have somewhere between
75-125 every morning in my inbox to go through). So, that makes me a little
skeptical of that program. But I was also the only office person and I got
the brunt of the email from the website as well, maybe that had something to
do with it also.

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM · Apr 2, 2008

Laura said:
Gene, thanks for the tip. My mom (yeah, I know...go ahead and laugh) as a
gift when I started working from home. It's up in June so I think I'm
going to try something else for security. At the time, I didn't have
anything else, and I graciously accepted the gift (although I would have
preferred a business book or something like that). LOL.

What do you recommend for security programs? Norton is the only other one
I'm familiar with and that was used in a small business and seemed to work
ok, with the exception of blocking spam emails (I'd have somewhere between
75-125 every morning in my inbox to go through). So, that makes me a
little skeptical of that program. But I was also the only office person
and I got the brunt of the email from the website as well, maybe that had
something to do with it also.

After uninstalling McAfee run this tool to finish the job:
http://service.mcafee.com/FAQDocument.aspx?id=107083&lc=4105&partner=McAfee&type=TS&ia=1

Don't install Norton.

Avast! is free for home use and pretty good (www.avast.com).

Among the pay ones, NOD32 (www.eset.com) or Kaspersky are good.

Possible Spyware or Virus?

Laura

Mark L. Ferguson

Laura

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM

Mark L. Ferguson

NoStop

NoStop

Frank

Frank

Laura

NoStop

Frank

Ken Blake, MVP

Apply_Directly_To_Forehead

Apply_Directly_To_Forehead

Apply_Directly_To_Forehead

Gene K

Laura

Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM