Windows xp glitch- Is my computer safe?

  • Thread starter Thread starter petey
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petey

I just hooked up my new Sony Vaio to the internet three days ago with
the windows xp operating system. I've been surfing the net and
downloading files from kazaa and other p2p groups. The thing is, I
haven't done anything to patch up the glich on the xp. Can i assume
that by this point, I've been hacked into or had somekind of shareware
or other spyware corrupt my system without me knowing it?
I was kind of worried because I did not have the Mccafee virus
scan installed. However PC cillin was already installed on my
computer. I was worried that PC cillin isn't as good of a virus
detector as the Mc Cafee product. Since I'm on this topic, do I need
to buy a subscription to Mccafee in order for the product to work.
I've inserted the disk and loaded on to my computer several times now
but I don't see the icon. I also want to know whether I need it since
I already have pc cillin.
Additionally, is there any way I can find out whether I've been
hacked or had any programs downloaded into my computer? Is a virus
scan good enough to detect any and all noninvited downloads? There's
been one time where spyware was downloaded and encrypted into my
registry. A Virus scan did not detect it. And I could not get rid of
it without actually going through the steps given by the hijacked ad
company to delete it.
As you can see, I'm new to computers so any help would be
appreciated.
 
Check for viruses:

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

And check for the presence of spyware:

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner 1.12
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10247783.html

3 Steps to Help Ensure your PC is Protected
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

Consider purchasing and installing a good internet security program:
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/features.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


|I just hooked up my new Sony Vaio to the internet three days ago with
| the windows xp operating system. I've been surfing the net and
| downloading files from kazaa and other p2p groups. The thing is, I
| haven't done anything to patch up the glich on the xp. Can i assume
| that by this point, I've been hacked into or had somekind of shareware
| or other spyware corrupt my system without me knowing it?
| I was kind of worried because I did not have the Mccafee virus
| scan installed. However PC cillin was already installed on my
| computer. I was worried that PC cillin isn't as good of a virus
| detector as the Mc Cafee product. Since I'm on this topic, do I need
| to buy a subscription to Mccafee in order for the product to work.
| I've inserted the disk and loaded on to my computer several times now
| but I don't see the icon. I also want to know whether I need it since
| I already have pc cillin.
| Additionally, is there any way I can find out whether I've been
| hacked or had any programs downloaded into my computer? Is a virus
| scan good enough to detect any and all noninvited downloads? There's
| been one time where spyware was downloaded and encrypted into my
| registry. A Virus scan did not detect it. And I could not get rid of
| it without actually going through the steps given by the hijacked ad
| company to delete it.
| As you can see, I'm new to computers so any help would be
| appreciated.
 
Trend PC Cillian is #1 in the asian market,
on head to head comparisons, (PC magazine, look it up,
do a google search, etc)
trend is as effective as McAffee
I've been using PCCillian since '98, and have never been infected,
even though several "special" websites have tried to do just that.

AND it's cheaper too.
 
I can pretty much guarentee you have loads of
malware/adware on your pc.
Look into the following
Adaware/spybot/cwshredder/hijackthis

A AV piece of software will not catch all the
malware/adware, nor will it guarentee you being free of
all virus, it will catch some, but safe browsing habits
are your best bet, and KAZAA is the worst for catching
virus and allowing other nasty programs access to your PC.
Also look into a Software Firewall, Zonealarm is free, for
that matter a hardware firewall is so cheap these days
it's worth the price, D-link DI-604 cost me $20 after the
rebates, (prepare to wait 60-90 days for it), Real fast
service in those people!
 
Greetings --

Well, you may or may not have been hacked, but that hardly
matters, as you voluntarily installed a boatload of spyware when you
installed Kazaa.

Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:




You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
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