[patmac]

One of the kids has just installed Skype. What could it possibly be used for? It looks to me to be some sort of app that lets you make phone calls to other PCs. Is this better than texting or instant messaging? Just wondering what is gained by using this. We have unlimited texting and calling on the cell phones...so I'm confused. Any input would be appreciated.

[leroys1000]

It's kind of an all in one application.
Instant messenger,free PC to PC phone,video phone,
Cheap calls to landline phones,cheap international calls.
It's pretty handy.
I use it for my home phone.

[raybro]

Click here to see what Skype is all about.

Raybro

[flavallee]

patmac:

If you've got kids using your computer and downloading and installing "who knows what", I strongly advise that you download and install the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware, get them up-to-date with the latest definition files, run a "quick scan" with them, then select and remove EVERYTHING they find. I have little doubt that computer is loaded with spyware and malware.

I'd really like to see a HijackThis log of that computer. Go here and click the green icon to download and save Trend Micro HijackThis 2.0.3. Close all open windows first, then install it in its default location. Run a scan with it - which will take less than 30 seconds. Save the resulting log in Notepad. Return here, then copy-and-paste the entire log here.

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[uhcafigdc]

Your kids may or may not be using it to have video conferences with other people on the internet who they may or may not know personally.

[flavallee]

patmac:

Kids being kids, you never know what they're installing or doing with a computer.

Besides Skype, check the list of installed programs and see if there's anything else that you don't recognize or use. Uncheck "Show Updates" first so the list isn't cluttered with Windows-related and Microsoft-related entries to confuse you.

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[patmac]

flavallee,
Just for giggles I installed HiJackThis(beta), and ran into a snag when I run it the kid's system(Vista). I'm typing this out cause it would take me longer to find something on his PC to save the screen shot with:

First error/message box:
For some reason your system denied write access to the hosts file. If any HiJackThis domains are in this file, HiJackThis may NOT be able to fix this.
If that happens, you need to edit the file yourself, to do this click Start---Run and type:
notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts and press enter. Find the line(s) HijackThis reports and delete them. Save the file as "hosts" (with quotes ) and reboot. For Vista simply exit HiJackThis, right click on the HJT icon and select "Run as Administrator". <----I tried this last part just to see, but no "Run as Administrator" option.

I click OK

Next error/message box:
Cannot find C:\ProgramFiles\TrendMicro\HiJackThis\hijackthis.log
Do you want to create a new file? Answering yes or no to this does nothing. Also here, there is a blank NOtepad window in the background.

One other oddity, there are no Running Processes at the top of the scan results window. Should I try to get at least the info in the results window copied here? Should I try the last non-beta version?
Thanks

[flavallee]

If HijackThis is installed, restart the computer, then try to run a scan with it again.

I suggest you follow my previous instructions in post #4 about Malwarebytes and SUPERAntiSpyware.

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[patmac]

Rebooted and HJT still not functioning correctly. Ran updated MBAM, and it found nothing. Any ideas about the HJT issue?Thanks

[flavallee]

Start HijackThis. Don't try to run a scan!

Click on the "Open The Misc Tools Section" button.

Click on the "Open Uninstall Manager" button.

Click the "Save List" button.

Save the "uninstall_list.txt" file somewhere. It'll then open in Notepad.

Return here to your thread, then copy-and-paste the entire file here.

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[patmac]

Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX
Adobe Flash Player 10 Plugin
Adobe Reader 8.1.3
AIM 6
AIM Toolbar
Air Mouse Server
Apple Application Support
Apple Mobile Device Support
Apple Software Update
Ask Toolbar
AVG 8.5
Bonjour
Browser Address Error Redirector
Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office system
Coupon Printer for Windows
Dell DataSafe Online
Dell Support Center
Dell System Customization Wizard
DellSupport
Download Updater (AOL LLC)
FrostWire 4.18.4
Games, Music, & Photos Launcher
HiJackThis
Hotfix for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (KB953595)
Hotfix for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (KB958484)
HP Deskjet Printer Driver Software 9.0
HP Imaging Device Functions 9.0
HP Photosmart Essential 2.01
HP Smart Web Printing
HP Solution Center 9.0
HP Update
HPSSupply
iTunes
Java(TM) 6 Update 17
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6
Macromedia Shockwave Player
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Security Update (KB953297)
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1
Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2006
Microsoft Money 2006
Microsoft Office Word Viewer 2003
Microsoft Silverlight
Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006
Microsoft VC9 runtime libraries
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
Microsoft Word 2002
Microsoft Works
Microsoft Works Suite 2006 Setup Launcher
Microsoft Works Suite Add-in for Microsoft Word
MixPad Audio Mixer
MobileMe Control Panel
Mozilla Firefox (3.5.7)
Mozilla Thunderbird (3.0)
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB936181)
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB941833)
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB954430)
Nuclear Coffee - DiscRipper
NVIDIA Drivers
NVIDIANetworkDiagnostic
Paint.NET v3.36
Product Documentation Launcher
QuickTime
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver
Roxio Creator Audio
Roxio Creator BDAV Plugin
Roxio Creator Copy
Roxio Creator Data
Roxio Creator DE
Roxio Creator Tools
Roxio Express Labeler
Roxio MyDVD DE
Roxio Update Manager
SDFormatter
Search Settings 1.2
Skype web features
Skype™ 4.1
Software Informer 1.0 BETA
Sonic Activation Module
Switch Sound File Converter
TBS WMP Plug-in
Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 (KB963707)
User's Guides
Yahoo! Install Manager
Yahoo! Widgets

[flavallee]

Go here and here and here and click the green icon to download and save Sun Java Runtime Environment 1.6.0.18(6 Update 18) and Adobe Reader 9.3.0 and Mozilla Firefox 3.6.0. Just save them for now and don't install them yet.

Go into Add Or Remove Programs and uninstall these programs:

Apple Software Update

Ask Toolbar

FrostWire 4.18.4

Macromedia Shockwave Player

(Note: If you don't want Skype 4.1 in that computer, uninstall it too.)

After they've all been uninstalled, restart that computer.

Install the above 3 programs that you downloaded and saved. They are updated versions to the ones that are currently installed. They will overwrite and replace the older versions, so there's no need to uninstall them first.

After they've all been installed, restart that computer again.

Follow my previous instructions in post #10 to post a new uninstall file here.

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Does that computer have the free version or paid version of AVG 8.5?

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[patmac]

Paid version of 8.5. Am I thinking you are going to say to upgrade it?
Will have to wait til Sunday or so to do your suggested activities....

[flavallee]

Originally Posted by patmac

Paid version of 8.5. Am I thinking you are going to say to upgrade it?
Will have to wait til Sunday or so to do your suggested activities....

If you had the free version of AVG 8.5, I was going to give you a link and instructions for upgrading to AVG 9.0.

There's no hurry. After you get done with my previous instructions, I'll be waiting to see a new uninstall log.

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