[Robert the Bruce]

Go to My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View tab and make sure that Show hidden files and folders is enabled. Also make sure that the System files and Folders are showing / visible. Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option.
I think the above is actually the opposite of what I want. I'd rather, for example, hidden files/folders remain hidden and System Files/Folders are invisible.............I think. Which is the way they were to begin with...........I think.

[Glaswegian]

They are usually hidden - I thought you wanted them unhidden - apologies if I misunderstood.

Anything else?

[Robert the Bruce]

No, hidden. I don't like to see those hidden files and folders all over the place if I don't have to.
What about this 1click downloader ? Can I uninstall it or should I keep it, what's it for ?

[Robert the Bruce]

OK, can you recommend I download and install the following: Spyware Blaster
Spyware Guard
Spybot Search & Destroy
Chrome or Firefox
Comodo Personal Firewall or Zone Alarm
DNT+
Erune & Ntregopt
..........and if I download Chrome or Firefox will IE 8 be automatically uninstalled/deleted/removed ?

[Glaswegian]

Originally Posted by Robert the Bruce

What about this 1click downloader ? Can I uninstall it or should I keep it, what's it for ?

Sorry - you've lost me there. To what are you referring? I don't think I mentioned this anywhere.

[Robert the Bruce]

That's odd. It's there when I go to Add & Remove Programs. It's 0.2MB in size.

[Robert the Bruce]

Originally Posted by Glaswegian

Hi

Let's try and take one thing at a time.

Anything held in quarantine is safe and cannot harm your system. Each programme will have an option to delete items from quarantine - you can use that or just leave them. Either way they will not interfere with your system.

If you prefer IE8 then continue to use that - I was simply offering you some options that you may not have been aware of in the past.

You are trying to view Hidden/System files - you would need to unhide them first.

Go to My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View tab and make sure that Show hidden files and folders is enabled. Also make sure that the System files and Folders are showing / visible. Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files option.
Can't find DDS or Gmer using 'Search.' There is an icon for 'Security Check' on my Desktop, is that one of them ?


You can rehide them using the instructions in Post # 112.

MBAM is an 'on-demand' scanner - it only scans when you tell it to do so. The free version does not have any real time protection and will not interfere with anything on your system. I run it once a week with no problems. I also checked at Malwarebytes forum and the file that caused your problems will be removed from the next database update.

If you download a third party firewall you'll likely find that during the installation Windows firewall will be turned off anyway.

MSE works well with any browser - I've been using it since it first appeared.

DDS and Gmer should be on your desktop - you can always use the Search feature (Start > Search) to find them.

You cannot remove IE - please do not try. I had a user a while back that tried to do that - ended up have to reinstall Windows. I use Firefox - I just don't open IE.

Your Hosts file is explained in detail in the article to which I provided a link (saves me typing out all that info again...).

You don't need Java - that is up to you, although lack of Java may affect the way some websites appear on your screen.


Hope that helps - let me know if you have any further queries.

[Robert the Bruce]

Sorry, that wasn't meant to happen - the previous post. I tried to add the following to that post: Searched for DDS and Gmer, can't find either of them. Although there is a 'Security Check' icon on my Desktop, is that one of them and if so where is the other ?
Also, I've read the info on MVPS Hosts File and I'm sorry but I simply don't understand any of it.

[Glaswegian]

Hu again

You can simply delete Security Check. DDS and Gmer should also be on your desktop - perhaps check the Recycle Bin?

You don't have to use the Hosts file although it is very useful. Not sure how I can help with that - the instructions for installation should be clear.

[Robert the Bruce]

Nope, can't see/find DDS or Gmer anywhere. Disnae matter, maybe I'd already deleted them. It's not the installation of Hosts that's the worry, it's what it's for that I don't understand. And also the big black warning that I shouldn't download it if I have.............whatever it was, can't remember.
So, anyway, do you think I should download the ones I mentioned on post #124 ?
And what about this 1click download ?

[Glaswegian]

Remove the 1clickdownload via Add/Remove Programs.

Have a look at this article I wrote and see if it explains the Hosts file more clearly.

[Robert the Bruce]

Just got back to the computer just now. Thanks, I'll read the piece you wrote and get back to you.

[Robert the Bruce]

OK, I've just read your piece on Hosts File. I realise it's in layman's terms and I think I'm starting to understand it a wee bit. One thing though, you said earlier, 'Note - That if you use a company provided Hosts File you should not use MVPS Hosts File.' Does that mean (don't use MVPS) if you/me use a computer in the workplace or your work/employer has provided a computer to use ? If you get my meaning.
Also, I asked earlier, won't MalwareBytes interfere with my computer (if I download and install it) on start-up, the way it did before and if NOT then what would be different this time ?
Also, could you please look at posts 117, 118 and 124. I would be much obliged if you could answer those questions (if you haven't already and maybe I missed it) and then maybe we could put this one to bed, finally.

[Glaswegian]

Hi

What were you trying to do in Post #117?

I would install Spybot, Spywareguard, Firefox, ZoneAlarm and DNT+. I use ERUNT and NTREGOPT but they are not essential.

For the Hosts file I meant that if your machine is regularly connected to a company network then the MVPS Hosts file would not be appropriate. Most companies have their own security set up and a custom Hosts file would likely interfere with that. If the machine actually belongs to a company then you would probably not have permission to install anything anyway.

The best analogy I could think of was that the Hosts file is like a telephone directory - that's really all it is. A directory that your browser checks to find a website. If the site is not in your Hosts file then your browser talks to a server to get the address.

I think I did mention earlier that any file held in quarantine, no matter which quarantine, is safe and cannot harm your system. Programmes that provide a quarantine also provide a method for clearing that quarantine if you so wish.

See Post #120.
MBAM should not damage your system. Cookiegal reported the False Positive to Malwarebytes and they have acknowledged this and confirmed it will be excluded from future database updates. This means that the file in question will not be removed next time you scan. I also mentioned IE in that post and why you cannot 'remove' it - just ignore it.

Let me know if I missed anything.

[Robert the Bruce]

Originally Posted by Robert the Bruce

Could this be it ? C:/Documents and Settings/Rowe/Local Settings/Temporary Internet Files/Content.IE5/R9SOYRMC/main(1).htm

Re post#117 - was a reference to post 101. I was pointing out the fact that I couldn't locate on my computer) what had been found on Microsoft Essentials - I couldn't find anything past 'Rowe' i.e. Local Settings. Hope that makes sense.