Re: a-squared and Trojan Scan

"Maurice N ~ MVP" wrote:

<kibbitz>

Hi Denise,

---> Hi Maurice. Thanks for your response. Since I last posted on this
thread, I just finished a complete search of my pc for
viruses/trojans/worms/adware/malware/grayware, etc, using RegSeeker, PC
onPoint, TrendSysClean, Bit Defender, Norton Anti-Virus, McAfee Stinger,
CWShredder, a-squared, Microsoft AntiSpyware and DOSclean. I ran the
programs both in regular mode and safe mode. It took about 15 hrs to run
all the programs and they came up with some problems. DOSclean determined
that "NBC WeatherBug" is spyware, and that ErrorKiller and Spyware
Interrogator have files that it considered potentially harmful to my pc, and
removed them. Other than that, no other program found anything except
negligible risks.


It sure looks like you have run a lot of anti-malware tools already.
Some suggested housekeeping:

Set Win Explorer to show all files and folders:

---> I did this before I ran all of the programs.



Bring up Windows Explorer / Tools / Folder Options/ select VIEW Tab and look
at all of settings listed.

"CHECK" (turn on) Display the contents of system folders.

Under column, Hidden files and folders----choose ( *select* ) Show hidden
files and folders.
Next, un-check Hide extensions for known file types.
Next un-check Hide protected operating system files.

---> I unchecked these also before I ran the programs.



Consider getting and running CCleaner (freeware) from
http://www.ccleaner.com/

---> I downloaded and ran CCleaner. All boxes in CC were checked, default
mode. Since I also run PC onPoint and RegSeeker at least once a day, CC
found only about 8 items.

Download it, save it, set it up and run it.

When started, select the Windows tab:

Select these options:

Under Internet Explorer: select Temporary Internet Files, Delete Index.dat
files

Under System: select Empty Recycle Bin, temporary Files, memory dumps,
Chkdsk file fragments


Do a Disk Defrag on this system, but first close & exit all programs. And
at end of defrag, restart the system.

---> I defragged several times using Windows defragger, DirMS-S and
PerfectDisk. PerfectDisk defrags much better than Windows defragger.
DirMS-S is very slow but works well.


See "Computer Health"
http://aumha.org/a/health.htm

---> I do these checks on a regular basis, once or twice a month.


Use MSCONFIG to review your startup apps.

---> I have unchecked all unnecessary programs on the Start-Up tab a few
years ago and I uncheck new programs that I've installed that I don't want to
start at Start-Up.


I suggest that you to download and run Silent Runners, which will help to
determine which programs are auto-loaded at each Windows startup
<http://www.silentrunners.org>

---> I have yet to do this. I'll let you know if it help.


The page has an FAQ link. If you need more guidance see "Using the script"
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_scriptuse.html

Be aware Silent Runners is a script. You may need to tweak your antivirus or
security program to allow it to run.


Here are 2 tools from SysInternals that may help you get an insight on
what's running.
Autoruns (checks & shows what's set to auto-load at Windows startup)
http://www.sysinternals.com/nt­w2k/freeware/autoruns.shtml

Process Explorer http://www.sysinternals.com/nt­w2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

---> I'll check these out also. However, I need a break. After doing
nothing but running all these programs and looking around the net for
programs and help, I need a day off, lol. Thank you for all your suggestions
and help. They're very much appreciated.

Maurice N
MS-MVP Windows (Shell / User), Aumha.net VSOP , DTS-L

---> Denise

==================================


"HartsVideo" <HartsVideo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:F5A6BE17-6D50-47E9-9776-5ECC1CA03FF2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"David H. Lipman" wrote:

From: "HartsVideo" <HartsVideo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


|
| Hi Dave,
|
| I still see anti-virus under Security, and I'm speaking about security and
| security programs, not an anti-virus since I don't have a virus that needs
| discussion in the anti-virus forum. If I went there, they'd probably tell me
| that I should have come to this forum.
|
| I purchased McAfee and I feel that it was a waste of good money. It never
| found any problems that other programs found, not even negligible risks that
| AdAware finds. It was also incompatible with the other programs that I have
| running so I removed it. I won't know if I'm specifically infected with a
| targeted infector that Stinger looks for unless I run Stinger. The same can
| be said of all the programs.
|
| So far I've been able to download and install a-squared. I want to also
| download and run TrojanScan at this url:
|
| http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/
|
| I now use Sygate firewall. I used to use Avast with Windows firewall but I
| couldn't use Sygate with Avast. So again it was a toss-up and I chose Sygate.
|
| Right now, I'm using the process of elimination. I doubt very much if I
| have a virus/trojan/worm in my pc but I want to know for sure so that I'll
| know that it isn't one of them in my pc causing my pc to creep along when the
| 6/15/06 updates from Microsoft have been installed. Once I've determined
| that, I'll know for sure that one or more of the updates aren't compatible
| with another program in my pc and I will do selective updating to determine
| which of the 10 updates it is. I backed up my entire C drive onto an
| external hard drive and I turned off System Restore until I've run all of the
| programs because the programs can't scan those files and they may contain a
| virus/trojan/worm that I'd put right back into my pc if I chose an existing
| restore point.
|
| It seems that my way of thinking isn't your way of thinking but what I do
| works for me. I've never had a virus/trojan/worm in my pc. Spybot and
| AdAware have found cookies that they've considered spyware and they've been
| eliminated. Up until yesterday, when the new updates were installed in my
| pc, I didn't have the problem with my pc creeping along. Someone else who
| spoke in this thread also mentioned that they caused him a problem. I would
| then assume that the update(s) contain something that isn't compatible with
| our systems.
|
| Denise

McAfee focuses on viruses and Trojans and some non-viral malware while Ad-aware SE focuses
on non-viral malware.

Two differnt products geared twords two different sub-types of malware.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

=====================================

I also ran Bit Defender, TrendMicro, CWShredder, Microsoft Malicious
Software Removal Tool, Norton AntiVirus, DosClean and a-squared. Most of the
programs that I used were also located on the url you posted here and then
some.

Denise

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: messenger pop ups
    ... A1) No. Microsoft NEVER sends emails with security update attachments. ... pages where you can access Windows Update, download patches, or request ... and Trend Micro make good anti-virus products for sale. ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: Security settings in Internet Explorer
    ... Q1) I got an email from Microsoft about a security update. ... A1) No. Microsoft NEVER sends emails with security update attachments. ... pages where you can access Windows Update, download patches, or request ... An anti-virus tool protects your system from viruses, worms, and trojans ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: random grey pop ups
    ... A1) No. Microsoft NEVER sends emails with security update attachments. ... pages where you can access Windows Update, download patches, or request ... An anti-virus tool protects your system from viruses, worms, and trojans ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: Gator /Gain Scum Parasite Program
    ... A1) No. Microsoft NEVER sends emails with security update attachments. ... pages where you can access Windows Update, download patches, or request ... An anti-virus tool protects your system from viruses, worms, and trojans ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: Porn link on most of the websites I visit
    ... A1) No. Microsoft NEVER sends emails with security update attachments. ... pages where you can access Windows Update, download patches, or request ... An anti-virus tool protects your system from viruses, worms, and trojans ...
    (microsoft.public.security)