[NeonFx]

Excellent. Let's cleanup.

STEP 1

The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:

Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bolded text into the Run box and click OK:

(If you use Vista or 7 just paste it into the text box that appears next to your start button)


ComboFix /Uninstall

STEP 2

To clean up OldTimer's tools, along with a few others, do the following:

• Run OTS.exe by double clicking on it
• Click on the "CleanUp" button on the top.
• You will be asked if you wish to reboot your system, select "Yes"

STEP 3

Remove any other tools or files we used by right-clicking on them or any folders they created, hold down the Shift key, and select "Delete" by clicking on it. This will delete the files without sending them to the RecycleBin.

You can also uninstall the other programs (HijackThis or MalwareBytes if we used them) by going to Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove programs (Programs and Features in Vista/7)

All Clean

Congratulations!, , your system is now clean. Now that your system is safe we would like you to keep it that way. Take the time to follow these instructions and it will greatly reduce the risk of further infections and greatly diminish the chances of you having to visit here again.

Microsoft Windows Update
Microsoft releases patches for Windows and Office products regularly to patch up Windows and Office products loopholes and fix any bugs found. Install the updates immediately if they are found.
To update Windows
Go to Start > All Programs > Windows Update
To update Office
Open up any Office program.
Go to Help > Check for Updates


Download and Install a HOSTS File
A HOSTS file is a big list of bad web sites. The list has a specific format, a specific name, (name is just HOSTS with no file extension), and a specific location. Your machine always looks at that file in that location before connecting to a web site to verify the address. So the HOSTS listing can be used to "short circuit" a request to a bad website by giving it the address of your own machine.

Download BlockList Pro's HOSTS Manager HERE

• Double click the Installer on your desktop and let it Install the Hosts Manager
• After the installation is complete, click on the Hosts Manager icon on your desktop. (You can delete the other Hosts Switch icon from your desktop)
• When the Hosts Manager comes up, click the small down arrows on the right side of the bar labeled Options and Tools,
• Click Disable DNS Service. This is important
• In the Left Pane, click Download
• It will load 80,000 lines or more. When it finishes, also in the left pane, click Replace, and then click Save

You can use this manager to handle your HOSTS file download, edits, and most any other HOSTS issue.
If you have a separate party firewall or Winpatrol, you may have to give permissions at various times to Unlock the present default HOSTS file and install the new one.

Install WinPatrol
Download it HERE
You can find information about how WinPatrol works HERE

Other Software Updates
It is very important to update the other software on your computer to patch up any security issues you may have. Go HERE to scan your computer for any out of date software. In particular make sure you download the updates for Java and Adobe as these are subject to many security vulnerabilities.

Setting up Automatic Updates
So that it is not necessary to have to remember to update your computer regularly (something very important to securing your system), automatic updates should be configured on your computer. Microsoft has guides for XP and Vista on how to do this.

Read further information HERE on how to prevent Malware infections and keep yourself clean.


Feel free to mark this thread as Solved by clicking on the button at the top of this page once you've finished reading this post. If you need anything else let me know.

[wfd31]

Neofx, thank you so very much for all of your help in resolving this issue.

You even answered my questions regarding methods of protecting the pc from malware/spyware.

A very thorough process.

Happy early birthday and Thanksgiving.

Best of luck.
WFD31

[NeonFx]

Happy early birthday and Thanksgiving.

Best of luck.

Right back at you

You're welcome. You have a good one.