Run mystery

[Jorge Bravo]

I use the Run command selom and unually only for Msconfig and Regedit.
However, sometimes I find in the 'memory' other commands, like the one for
the Firewall. I assume that these are acused by viruses/malware. Is that
common? Is there a way of blocking the Windows Firewall so that no
introsuion is possible?

Thank you

JB

 

[Daave]

I use the Run command selom and unually only for Msconfig and Regedit.
However, sometimes I find in the 'memory' other commands, like the one
for the Firewall. I assume that these are acused by viruses/malware.
Is that common? Is there a way of blocking the Windows Firewall so that
no introsuion is possible?

One does not block a firewall. Rather, one allows a firewall to block
intrusion attempts from hackers. To see if you are protected, go to this
site:

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Scroll down and click Proceed. On the new page, click on the grey
buttons, especially All Service Ports. If you don't pass, let us know.
If everything is green, you are successfully in Stealth Mode, which is
what you want.

Regarding commands being memorized (as well as Web sites visited,
doucments opened, etc.), this is a function of Windows. If you would
like to erase your tracks, I recommend using Ccleaner:

http://www.ccleaner.com/

When you install it, you will probably want to avoid installing any
toolbar add-ons. When you run it, you may configure it to delete
different items, including what you described above -- under Windows
Explorer there is item called "Run (in Start Menu)." Some people are
just interested in regularly cleaning out temp files and choose to leave
the other items, including paswwords. If your firewall is doing its job
and no one else uses your PC (or account), this should not be a problem,
but it's your call.

Since cleaning registry items does not noticeably improve a PC's
performance and might even do some amount of damage (including
preventing you from booting up!), be sure to avoid, Ccleaner's registry
"cleaning" function. Otherwise, it's a great program.

 

[Jorge Bravo]

Thanks

Everything is green in stealth mode.

But I don't think I explained myself well.. When I go into the Run command
box and attempt to typr something a scroll-down list of past commands
appears. Sometines, in the past, I found strange commands which I never
typed. Just recently there was one about firewall.cpl (I think) and at that
time I had a virus that opened up Internet Explorer in the Firewall without
my permission.

So, I ant to know how it is that commands can appear in the 'past commands'
in the Run box if I did not type them myself; and if thre is a way of
stopping intrusions in this way that access the Firewall without my knowing.

JB

 

[Daave]

So, I ant to know how it is that commands can appear in the 'past
commands' in the Run box if I did not type them myself; and if thre is
a way of stopping intrusions in this way that access the Firewall
without my knowing.

If you didn't enter it, someone else did.

Make sure others don't use your PC; that will stop this from happening.
Also make sure you are malware-free. See:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Viruses_Malware

 

[Jorge Bravo]

That's what I meant. Nobody uses my computer; only me!

JB

 

[Jorge Bravo]

Thank you very much Steve, for the very clear and informative reply.

JB