Task Manager and msconfig will not suffice in searching down most
viruses/spyware/adware that runs hidden in a stealth mode. You need to run a full
system virus scan with a fully up-to-date virus app and then check for any other
nasties. On a side note, you don't mention how many apps you let run at boot, the
amount of RAM installed is the bottom of the barrel minimum.
**It is very important to run the update for each program before running the app/s
to be sure you have the latest definitions.**
Run the programs in Safe Mode after assuring you have shut down all running tasks
except explorer or systray and all apps are fully up to date.
Remove your Temp Internet files: Right click IE. Under the General tab click Delete
Files, put a check in Delete all Offline..., click OK and close when finished.
Delete all files in c:\windows\temp.
Download/run Cool Web Shredder from:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html
For Info on Cool Web Search variants:
http://www.richardthelionhearted.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
Download/install/run Ad-Aware SE to detect/rid of any other parasites/spyware that
may be installed. It can be obtained free from:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
After installing Ad-Aware, open it and click on the ref update to get the latest
up-to-date ref file, then run Ad-Aware and delete everything it finds.
Download/install/run Spybot - Search & Destroy:
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download
Run it at it's default settings until you learn an know more about it. Spybot S&D
is more of an advanced users tool and changing from the default settings can be
dangerous to the novice user. Items found in the default settings that are RED can
usually be safely removed. If you are unsure of a found item, do not remove it and
ask for help.
If you still have problems, download/run HijackThis from:
http://www.richardthelionhearted.com/~merijn/downloads.html
http://majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html
Copy HJT to it's own folder, this is where the log files will be saved. Run HJT in
Normal Mode.
Do not remove anything with it until you get advice on what to remove, HJThis will
list many apps that are needed along with the bad ones. Removing items listed
hap-hazardly without knowing what they are can/will create a royal mess. Read the
quick start here on how to create a log file that can be copied/pasted into a forum
that can provide assistance on removal of unwanted pests.
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/#quick
Then post the logs to an appropriate forum where they specialize in
spyware/hijacker removal. Please read any sticky notes for proper posting which are
most commonly posted first at the top in each specific forum. Read any information
under each forum category name for information on what that particular one is used
for, look for the proper one that you post logs to.
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://aumha.net/
http://forum.aumha.org/
After running the above and assuring you have a clean machine:
It's also a good idea to have a HOSTS file to block bad sites, scroll to HOSTS File
Manager here:
http://www.mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/Software.htm
Download/install/run SpywareBlaster which stops the badboys before they even get a
chance to install:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
--
Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/
Suggested posting do's/don'ts:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
