Help Please

[dinosaw]

hi, i have formatted my computer numerous times due to spyware and viruses etc but when i do a format and reinstall windows it doesnt help. Within weeks it is back to its sick state. Internet explore perfomes elegal actions etc...

any suggestions??

cheers

[andsome]

Exactly what anti virus and firewall do you use? What additional Anti malware programs do you use? What sort of sites do you visit? :D

[catgate]

Download and install :-

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

SpyBot Search & Destroy

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Also make sure that you activate the Windows firewall, or install a 3rd-party firewall.

Instead of reinstalling Windows, it would be much easier if you took a full backup, then restore from backup instead of reinstalling. Acronis True Image (Home) is a great tool for this.

[Hb_Kai]

You're obviously getting worms/viruses etc downloaded through scripts via IE.

Spybot S&D which Catgate posted is good for Immunizing IE. (They say that you are "immune" from stuff coming through via IE, but I'm not sure if "Immune" is the right word. ;)

Anyway, I use it all the time and I'm.. Most of the time...

Sygate is a good firewall, and it's free.

Download Sygate from here

[dinosaw]

i have no firewall...or antivirus..but i have a spyware remover... i have found Ad-Aware to be good. This is all i use?

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

You need protection against virus infections; therefore you need an AV application.

You need protection against unauthorized intrusions; therefore you need a firewall.

You may have multiple anti-spyware apps, but only one AV and one firewall.

[andsome]

i have no firewall...or antivirus..but i have a spyware remover... i have found Ad-Aware to be good. This is all i use?

No wonder you have problems. Follow the advice above. I use Nod 32 full security suite, plus SUPANTISpyWARE, Malware bytes and Spbot S and D. :D

[Boris]

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

[Vino Rosso]

General Security and Computer Health

Below are some steps to follow in order to dramatically lower the chances of reinfection

You may have already implemented some of the steps below, however you should follow any steps that you have not already implemented.

1. Make sure that you keep your antivirus updated
   New viruses come out every minute, so it is essential that you have the latest signatures for your antivirus program to provide you with the best possible protection from malicious software. Good antivirus programs will update themselves as least daily.
   I recommend that you download and install ONLY ONE of these free only available for single computer use at home Antivirus programs:
   • Avast! from >here<
     
   • AntiVir from >here<
     
   • AVG AntiVirus from >here<
     

After installing, make sure the program updates itself then allow it to scan your system.

Note: You should only have one antivirus installed at a time. Having more than one antivirus program installed at once is likely to cause conflicts and may well decrease your overall protection as well as impairing the performance of your PC.

[*]Install and use a firewall with outbound protection

The Windows firewall only monitors incoming traffic, NOT outgoing. Using a software firewall in its default configuration to replace the Windows firewall greatly reduces the risk of your computer being hacked. Make sure your firewall is always enabled while your computer is connected to the internet.

Some free for personal use firewalls are:

• Comodo: >here<
  Note: When installing, it is recommended to UNcheck BOTH the Toolbar and Home page.
  
• Outpost: >here<
  
• Sunbelt Kerio: >here<
  
• ZoneAlarm: >here<
  Note: If choosing Zone Alarm be aware that the free version also installs ZoneAlarm Spy Blocker. It is recommended however that you UNcheck this option.
  

Note: You should only have one firewall installed at a time. Having more than one firewall installed at once is likely to cause conflicts and may well decrease your overall protection as well as seriously impairing the performance of your PC.

[*]Security Updates for Windows, Internet Explorer & Microsoft Office

Whenever a security problem in its software is found, Microsoft will usually create a patch so that after the patch is installed, attackers can't use the vulnerability to install malicious software on your PC. Keeping up with these patches will help to prevent malicious software being installed on your PC.

Ensure you are registered for Windows updates via Start > right-click on My Computer > Properties > Automatic Updates tab or visit the >Microsoft Update site< on a regular basis.

Note: The update process uses ActiveX, so you will need to use Internet Explorer and allow the ActiveX control to install.

[*]Update Non-Microsoft Programs

Microsoft isn't the only company whose products can contain security vulnerabilities. To check whether other programs running on your PC are in need of an update, you can use the >Secunia Software Inspector< - I suggest that you run it at least once a month

[*]Make Internet Explorer More Secure

Click Start > Run > type inetcpl.cpl > OK

Click on the Security tab

Click Reset all zones to default level

Make sure the Internet Zone is selected and click Custom level

In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to "Prompt", and ("Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe") to "Disable".

Next Click OK, then Apply button and then OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

Further information for IE7 can be found >here<

Next, if they're not already present, I would recommend the download and installation of some or all of the following programs, and the updating of them on a regular basis:

[*]Anti-Spyware

Anti-Spyware is NOT the same thing as antivirus. Different anti-spyware programs detect different things so having more than one program is OK however you should only have ONE program running and use others 'on demand'. Having more than one running *may* cause conflicts but will certainly slow the computer down.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware: >Information< and is available from >here<

Spybot Search & Destroy: >Information< and is available from >here<

a-squared Free: >Information< and is available from >here<

Note: If you have a dialup internet connection, you may also like to install >a-squared Anti-Dialer< which provides some real time protection against premium rate dialers.

[*]Prevention

These programs are designed to help stop malware getting on to your computer. Each does a different job so having more than one is OK.

WinPatrol: As a robust security monitor, WinPatrol will alert you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. >Information<, >features<, and >download<

Hosts File: For added protection you may also like to add a host file. A simple explanation of what a Hosts file does is >here< and for more information regarding host files read >here<

SpywareBlaster: SpywareBlaster sets killbits in the registry to prevent known malicious ActiveX controls from installing on your computer. If you don't know what ActiveX controls are, see >here< and you can download SpywareBlaster from >here<

[*]Cleaning Temporary Internet Files and Tracking Cookies

Temporary Internet Files are mainly the files that are stored on your computer when you open a web page. If the web site you visit is of a dubious nature or has been hacked, the files can be an entry point for malware. It is a good idea to empty the Temporary Internet Files folder on a regular basis.

Tracking Cookies are files that web sites use to monitor which sites you visit, when, and how often. Some anti-spyware scanners pick up these tracking cookies and flag them as unwanted.

CAUTION:- If you delete all your cookies, you will lose any autologin information for web sites that you visit, and will need to re-enter your passwords for those sites.

Both temporary internet files and tracking cookies can be cleaned manually but a quicker option is to use a program:

>ATF Cleaner< Free and very simple to use.

>CCleaner< Free and very flexible, you can choose which cookies to keep.

[*]It is absolutely essential to keep all of your security programs up to date.

Safe Computing

Vino

[Hb_Kai]

Also have a look at WinPatrol. It monitors any change made to your computer and if you're not expecting, say, a change to your registry, or some service being installed, you can block it from doing what it was.

[Vino Rosso]

Also have a look at WinPatrol. It monitors any change made to your computer and if you're not expecting, say, a change to your registry, or some service being installed, you can block it from doing what it was.

Under "g"

[Hb_Kai]

:D :D I didn't realise and I think that post is where I got the idea from. :D

[pontelima]

Before you decide on any options like AV, firewall or ant-spyware you need to know the limitations of the O/S you're using. Secondly, you should always use the least priviledged account and use the runas command to do your installations.

What is the O/S you're using?

[Seshomaru Samma]

After reinstalling Windows , follow the instructions in this thread

your computer will be safe

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

follow the instructions in this thread

That's a tall order! B)